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sir

SDR

Executive
Personal Narrative
Member
+3

First time cold calling, need some advice

I'm going to be making calls soon, but I don't feel confident actually going in and doing it. I had a lot of trouble with role-playing-- mostly when explaining the product and when facing objections. Management says I was okay and that I shouldn't worry because I'll get the hang of it over time.


Is there anything I can do to at least get myself closer to being set up for success off the bat? Any stories out there from your first days?


Thanks in advance~



📞 Cold Calling
15

21 comment

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UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
11
SaaS Eater
Welcome to the war room. Check out these threads, this has been covered a ton

https://bravado.co/war-room/posts/cold-calling-tips-that-i-wouldn-t-dare-put-on-linkedin

https://bravado.co/war-room/posts/advice-needed-cold-calling


https://bravado.co/war-room/posts/how-do-you-get-out-of-your-cold-calling-rut


https://bravado.co/war-room/posts/most-memorable-time-getting-cussed-out-on-a-cold-call
sir
Executive
3
SDR
I forgot about the search bar :(

Thanks!
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
4
SaaS Eater
all good most people do.
InQ5WeTrust
Arsonist
5
No marketing, mayo isn't an MQL
Welcome to the war room, there's some great threads, but if you have questions do feel free to ask! 

Were all here to help 
Incognito
WR Officer
1
Master of Disaster
There’s some fab advice here!
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
1
Rolling 20's all day
Lol, at least they admitted it. Depending on the week people will freak out or not about not searching before posting. 
No harm done
NoSuperhero
Politicker
3
BDR LEAD
Most of all relax and don't follow a script, also read these threads often people are always asking good questions and interchange ideas often. This community is full of badasses.
newsalesguy14
Politicker
3
Account Executive
Take a breath and relax. You'll very soon realize how little of a deal cold calling is. The best case scenario, you're booking meetings, crushing it, and making money. The absolute worst case scenario is someone gets upset but has no idea who you are and that you'll never speak to ever again.

You'll also soon realize that people really don't know or remember you - you can call someone back in a couple of weeks and they will have forgotten about your original conversation.

Most of all, embrace it. You're learning some solid skills that will go very far with you whether you stay in sales or not. Also - congrats on choosing a career that most people are terrified of. Let that build your confidence, and know that with time you will be a beast.

I think that mindset is the #1 thing - it impacts your whole demeanor. So always keep these points in mind, and always, ALWAYS, be optimistic! Oh, and when it doesn't go the way you want - onto the next!
cw95
Politicker
2
Sales Development Lead
‘Is there anything I can do to get myself closer to being set up for success off the bat’ - do a lil bit of research prior to calling - this is always helpful so you can get the lingo of their industry, however… ….it’s a human on the end of the line! You don’t know them and they don’t know you and if it goes wrong/normal, that human won’t remember you next week. I like to think ‘what do I do when I get a cold call’ and take that approach. Cold calls are hard and you will fell anxious as fuck, we all do, you’ll see the big boys and girls on here that have a wealth of knowledge about sales but they will still have days of not wanting to call. Pick up the phone and think ‘what’s the worst that can happen’
hh456
Celebrated Contributor
2
sales
For me what always worked is I had to remember why I was there. I’m supporting myself. The rest was easy. The more calls you make the easier it is to figure out how to get to the right person and have a meaningful conversation.
BmajoR
Arsonist
2
Account Executive
Practice in the mirror at home, have a close friend or significant other role play with you, and record yourself to hear where you stumble. Good luck and kick some ass! It gets easier, trust me. 
CuriousFox
WR Officer
0
🦊
Mmhhhmm that ain't what you role playing 👀
SaaSyBee
Politicker
1
Founder
Do some power poses beforehand and make sure to smile. Confidence is everything.
goose
Politicker
1
Sales Executive
I'd say imagine you are an entrepreneur who has a passion for helping people.  You have a great idea, you have a huge incentive to be successful and get your business off the ground.  What would you do to get your first customer?  How would you go about connecting with them?  That's where I'd start.
1nbatopshotfan
Politicker
1
Sales
People will be indignant monsters when called. The sooner you can brush that off and move to the next, the better you’ll be. 

Lots of other good advice here, too. 
dworkdaddy31
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Confidence is key. Remember no matter how new you are, you are the expert behind the phone. They don't know what your product, software, etc so you are teaching them something new! 
AnchorPoint
Politicker
1
Business Coach
New Sales Simplified by Mike Weinberg... thank me later.
sir
Executive
1
SDR
That one's on my to-read list! After I finish Fanatical Prospecting.
someoneinsales
Tycoon
0
Director of Sales
Eminem threw up on his shirt before his first battle and look at him now! Just go in there an know majority of people are jerks but at the end of the day some will take the meeting. Short term memory loss in sales is the key to success in cold calling
TechGenie
Fire Starter
0
C.E.O
No two calls are the same, that's why it can be an overwhelming experience, especially for starters. The obvious to-do would be to know your product/service, do a little research on the lead before calling, give them an intro, respect their time, listen and ask open-ended questions (if they allow you). The idea is to get fluent in your first 10-15 calls! 

Think of it like calling that hot girl/guy from your uni who doesn't know you even exist. But you're hellbent on impressing him/her, that's how I looked at it when I started. After a couple of days, your nerves will settle only to kick in the first time you actually hear them say "Let's do it". My first sale was on the 4th day and I still remember I went blank and hung up, lol. Called him back after composing myself and experienced the full cycle.

Best of luck!
Sniper
Valued Contributor
0
Enterprise Account Executive
Reps on reps on reps on reps. That phone can weigh a metric ton of you let it. #failforward

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