Cold Call Intros

I've seen this discussion on LinkedIn quite a bit, but am curious what non 'influencers' / true sales people do and have to say about this...


"Is now a good time?" or anything along the lines of this as a first question.


ALSO if they say "yes it's a bad time" what do you do?!

Do you ask if the prospect has time to chat for a sec?

Attached poll
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📞 Cold Calling
17
funcoupons
WR Officer
7
👑
Repeat after me:

Did I catch you at a bad time?


There's my one helpful post for the month, enjoy it.
InQ5WeTrust
Arsonist
7
No marketing, mayo isn't an MQL
Wait... I tried what you said and I'm now in Gartner's pres club. I'm getting the CEO's car. I fear I may have girlbossed too close to the sun. 
WomenWantMeFishFearMe
Politicker
0
AM
They always say yes when you ask that question. You're better off saying, "I'm sure you're very busy, so I'll be quick"
funcoupons
WR Officer
1
👑
Not from my experience. 95% of the time they say either "no I'm available" or "I am a little busy but have a minute or two." If they do happen to say they're in the middle of something or don't have time it's very easy to throw a "no worries, when should I call back" at them. 

I don't recommend going ahead with a pitch without asking for permission. People appreciate being asked permission as it shows respect for their time and situation, especially if they are someone who is often legitimately busy like a C Suite. 
LordOfWar
Tycoon
0
Blow it up
This 100%

followed closely by "thepersonagreeingtomyproposalsayswhat"
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
5
SaaS Eater
"is now a bad time" - people are predisposed to say no to sales people so this one shows respect and generally results in a "no" and then its go time
SuperSaaSd
Executive
3
SDR
"Hey _____ thanks for taking my out-of-the-blue call, this will only take a second of your time..."

*pause for confirmation, then continue, or they will hang up*

If they respond then you are usually good to go.

I go with a "poke the bear opener" ala Josh Braun
doinkey
Contributor
1
Head of Sales
Love Josh Braun - I try to listen to one of his podcast clips every day before picking up the phone! Thanks for the input :)
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
2
HMFIC
"Hey I know you weren't expecting my call, got 2 minutes?"
Blu
Opinionated
1
Business Development Representative
I feel that asking for 2 mins is a lot. Sounds much better to ask for 30 seconds or 1 minute. If they agree and have interest they are usually okay to continue to chat.
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
1
HMFIC
No one who actually picks up the phone is so busy that 2 minutes is too much.  Besides, it's more shorthand than anything.  Just a way of saying this won't take long.  I really doubt anyone is going to say 2 minutes is too much, but 1 is just right, nor do I think they'll be legitimately timing you anyway.  If they are, then they're not really listening to your pitch and you've got bigger problems.
braintank
Politicker
1
Enterprise Account Executive
Hey {YOU}}, this is {ME} with {Company}. 
I know you didn't expect me to call your today.
Do you mind if I take one minute to tell you why I'm calling and you can let me know if it make sense for us to speak?
Blu
Opinionated
2
Business Development Representative
30mpc… love it
braintank
Politicker
0
Enterprise Account Executive
You know it!
IYNFYL
Politicker
1
Enterprise SaaS AE
Yeah don’t ask for permission as they will say take a hike. I train all my SDRs be cordial then get to the point. I hate when people say how is your day going? It was ok until you cold called me.
doinkey
Contributor
0
Head of Sales
Ah... I am guilty of the "how's it going" - appreciate your perspective!
Diablo
Politicker
1
Sr. AE
I say it would take 30 secs and if it makes sense we can discuss further
hh456
Celebrated Contributor
1
sales
I’m always like, “looking for x - purpose of my call is y.” Then I’m silent till they respond.
JDialz
Politicker
1
Chief Operating Officer
"Hi [first name], this is _____ with (your company). I just wanted to give you a quick call - did I get you at a bad time?"

YES: "Oh! Sorry about that [first name]! What time (+1 business day) or (+2 business days) would you have four to nine minutes to chat about (whatever it is that you do/offer)?


Our script is more targeted, but that's the basic thrust.
BlueJays2591
Politicker
0
Federal Business Dev Director
I never ask for permission or if now is a good time because it is never a good time to call a sales person. Good cold calls have a rhythm to them and asking this will always interrupt that rhythm. It also takes away from the time you have to hook their attention. I always try to get my value proposition out in the first 10-15 seconds of the call so they know exactly why I am calling and if we should proceed further. 
goose
Politicker
0
Sales Executive
As with most things, it depends on the situation.  Personally I hate cold calls.  I get it.  This is not a great take with this crowd.  Most of the time I'm calling someone that knows me or at least knows of me.  So, most of my calls are warm and I'll typically ask if they have time to talk or if it's a good time.  If they say no then I'll find a better time to chat or follow up with an email.

If, however, you are just dialing to connect with as many people as possible to try to get lucky then you will probably want to have some jedi mind game to try to trick them into talking to you.
Beans
Big Shot
0
Enterprise Account Executive
Absolutely ask - if they say no you quickly set a callback time and now they've agreed and feel obligated to answer.
ultraman
Tycoon
0
Shepherd
Approach depends on industry. For me, I sell to engineers primarily. I do my recon ahead of time and have an application in mind that I know they deal with. I lead with something useful and get right into it. 80% of the time the call continues or they kick me to someone who would be a fit for what I’m talking about. That or they ask me if a have something for another issue they are dealing with. But yeah, I don’t ask for permission, they answered the phone and I’ve got the medicine, so it’s on!
WomenWantMeFishFearMe
Politicker
0
AM
Usually I just say I'll be quick and mindful of their time as I'm sure they're busy. They can't brush me off if I'm polite
HoosierDaddy
Valued Contributor
0
SDR
“Hey it’s xxx over at xxx, how have you been?” Has worked for me 95% of the time. Makes the prospect feel like you’ve talked to them before. Then I say can I take a second and tell you why I’m calling and then you can tell me whether to continue? Also have been experimenting with thanking them for taking the call. Thinking something like “thanks for answering! You’re braver than I am picking up to random numbers… care if I take a second…”
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