T
T

TWK2001

SDR

Fire Starter
Good Citizen
Contributor
+1

Is it normal to get yelled at when cold-calling?

I'm an SDR at a small company that targets small businesses and today (for the first time - SDR for like a week lol) I got yelled at on the phone lol. He didn't like the way I greeted myself (he didn't like that I did not mention what company I work for right away, I just said hello (dude's name), my name is x, is now a good time to talk?)


I get that mentioning my company would've sounded more professional and that was a mistake on my part but DAMN HE DID NOT NEED TO GET SO UPSET ABOUT IT. I forgot exactly what he said but it was something about how I shouldn't be calling his personal phone or something like that.


Just want to know whether I completely screwed up or if this is really just part of the job lol

📞 Cold Calling
22

17 comments

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js2458
Politicker
10
Enterprise SDR
A bunch of threads on this - TLDR it's completely normal. It's polite to intro your company's name on a cold call, but there have been a bunch of videos about this on how it isn't necessary if you use the right tonality.

I wouldn't write this guy off either - could be that he's just having a bad day. Keep dialing :)
HVACexpert
Politicker
8
sales engineer
.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
5
🦊
🎄🎄🎄
Link
Executive
7
Regional Sales Rep
This is so wholesome

But yes, Like the others are saying; yes very normal.
Just add it to your trophy collection, you’re gonna get some more later and you’ll wear them like badges of honor.

Remember, you are proactively interrupting people’s days but that is literally your job. And hey, 9/10 we’re doing it while they’re at work so they can’t complain that much—they’re getting paid for it lol.

You can adjust your opener to be more transparent if you want as you got nothing to hide, you’re a professional;

“Hey X, it’s Johnny Bananas here at Bonanza Johnnies Bananas—hey X I know you weren’t waiting around for my call this afternoon, do you mind if I just take 60 seconds and i’ll tell you why i’m calling YOU specifically and then you can tell me whether or not to pound sand?”
punishedlad
Tycoon
4
Business Development Team Lead
If someone gets mad about calling a personal cell, I'll usually just deflect to "Hey man, I just pulled this number from a database. Is there a number you'd prefer I call so I can take this one out of our system?"

You've gotta let this stuff run off your back like oil from a duck in a Dawn commercial. People are going to get pissy, especially when you're calling cell phones. It is what it is.
Maximas
Tycoon
3
Senior Sales Executive
1 call like that,million ones to come,welcome to hell baby:)
oldcloser
Arsonist
2
💀
Brush it off. Totally normal. Your success will be predicated by your ability to laugh it off and dial the next number. Then dial that guy tomorrow.
Pachacuti
Politicker
2
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
No, not normal.
ChickenWings
Opinionated
0
Tom Callahan's Son
Gold
ChickenWings
Opinionated
2
Tom Callahan's Son
It’s never a good time to call.

Godspeed
Justatitle
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
Getting yelled at as an SDR is a right of passage. Even if you intro'd the company prospect would have still found something to yell at you about. Let miserable people be miserable. Keep on the grind good sir
Diablo
Politicker
1
Sr. AE
Hope you enjoyed the experience. Don’t be shocked and more yelling are on its way.
1
Division Sales Manager
Yep! Sounds like he was having a bad hair day. Get yourself a raincoat and let it roll off your back. :) Keep in touch with him - send him relevant articles you find. Maybe a funny video about an awkward opening. He'll wake up on the right side of the bed one day. :)
Jaytea
Catalyst
0
N/A
Dude I remember cold calling a hedge fund manager when I was 18 and he told me to get some bitches instead of calling him. From that day on I never cold called and emailed/ messaged people and it’s was a great tactic. Either way yes it’s normal just I usually just laugh at it you will hear a lot.
AnchorPoint
Politicker
0
Business Coach
It takes all types... some are bigger assholes than others... laugh and move on.
I_LOVE_WINE
Executive
0
Enterprise AE
100% normal lol
WhollyMan
Valued Contributor
0
Renewal Sales Specialist
Totally normal. Don’t take it personal and move on. Some people are just rude. Some people just have bad days. I have some of those epic cold call stories of people being such a-holes and later end up buying from me. Keep it up!

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