MightySteelLeg

account executive

Arsonist

Opinionated

Valued Contributor

Thoughts on starting a cold call with "how are you?"

Contentious topic i've met alot of people who do and don't. Whats everyones thoughts and why?

Start call with "how are you?"

Attached poll

Yes No

*Voting in this poll no longer yields commission.

📞 Cold Calling

12 comments

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CadenceCombat

Tycoon

Account Executive

It’s not a genuine question. It’s just padding that leads to your real opener.

I much rather something more direct and transparent.

”Hi [blank] did I catch you at an okay time? Great...” Cue canned intro.

But, honestly, keep using whatever works for you. Different people can pull different things off.

Smithy

Politicker

Director of Sales

I use it and always have. It’s never hindered me, but it is a bit of an empty question.

if you start selling to mainland Europe, don’t ask it.

SADNESS11

Fire Starter

Account Executive

The worst. Like CadenceCombat said, not a genuine question. Prospects know we don't care how they're doing.

wHaTyAgOtCoOkInG

Catalyst

Solution Consultant

It's cringy

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Ew no.

LordBusiness

Politicker

Chief Revenue Officer

I voted no, not because I don’t think you should, but because folks just don’t ask this question enough in conversation these days, so much so that it throws people off. I always ask, servers, drive thru, passing someone in the hall....and for the most part folks look at me like I’m insane.

BillyHoyle

Tycoon

Senior Account Executive

"Name (First and Last), X Company, How Ya Been?" Been my go-to for 5 years and rarely fails getting me into a conversation

DaddyWarbucks

Sales Executive

“I know I caught you out of the blue here....”. Disarming and admits that you interrupted whatever that were doing...

Selichimorpha

Celebrated Contributor

Growth Executive

Use “how have you been?” Instead - subconsciously it will make them feel as if they’ve spoken to you before

Savagedoge

Tycoon

Account Executive

I don’t think that’s ever genuine. On the other hand, for some reason, “how’s it going?” is almost always what I start my call with. In 99% of my demos too, my prospects start off with that. And I’m selling to sales people, so go figure.

jesustakethewheeeeeeeeeel

Good Citizen

Enterprise Account Executive

Pattern interrupt ftw

AlexT

Politicker

Account Executive

Think of it this way: If you walked up to someone at a networking event you have never met before, what do you open with? Certainly not "How are you?" for me.

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MightySteelLeg

Thoughts on starting a cold call with "how are you?"

Start call with "how are you?"

12 comments

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