What Is Your Go To Opening Line When You Are Cold Calling?

I've heard tone is the one of the most important factors for crushing a cold call, but would love to hear peoples thoughts for what they've found the most success with when it comes to their opening line on a cold call? Everyone at my company seems to have their own method for opening lines and I realize there is no perfect choice that will work every-time, but would love to hear from the community some tips they've found to loosen up cold prospects a bit.

📞 Cold Calling
👑 Sales Strategy
7
Stringer
Arsonist
7
SDR
Hey Chep, Junior calling from xyz, how you been? (super relaxed and chill)

I know nobody likes a cold-call Thursday at 4 pm (timeframe). Can I give you a quick pitch then if you're interested we can talk if not you can hang up no harm done. Is that fair? 


Works for me 90% of the time. They either say no and hang-up (these people were never going to book a meeting), or they say sure and I pitch. 
sellout
Good Citizen
0
Hybrid Account Executive
This is almost the exact same as me. Super chill and easy and I rarely get hung up on. 
Chief
Arsonist
0
Account Executive
Tonality is chill. I like how emphasize the relaxed tone. 

I like that approach. How've you been is a favorite of mine as well. 

I like to reasoning behind why I specifically reached out (in a casual way) to make more of a connection within the first 30 seconds. 

I'm sure booking demos, Stringer. 
AE2SC
Good Citizen
2
Solutions Consultant
Depends on the industry you're calling into, the type of companies you're targeting, the persona of the person you're trying to reach, even gender and geographical location play a huge role in it for me. Unfortunately, there's not a silver bullet it's ultimately going to come down to how quickly/easily you can tailor your call cadence to your target audience. 
Jaga
Personal Narrative
2
Director of Sales and Business Development
We've found it very effective to open with: "Hi (name) it's ____ calling with _____,   you may hate me but this is a prospecting call, do you want to hang up or give me 30 seconds and I'll let you know why I'm calling?" 

Usually gets a bit of a chuckle and a little intrigue on what it is we're calling about. Human element also appreciates the permission ask.

It's worth noting the next line should be research based "I noticed XYZ about your company/your role which usually means XYZ..." then hit the value props and ask if it's relevant.
Stringer
Arsonist
1
SDR
The 30-seconds thing has really taken a hit. Nobody wants to give 30-seconds just like nobody say yes I have 15 or 30 minutes for a meeting. Also, I don't want to know why you're calling otherwise I would have called you. It's a really hard ask there. 

try instead:

you may hate me but this is a prospecting call, can I give you a quick pitch, and if you're interested we can talk or you can hang up no harm done. 
Jaga
Personal Narrative
0
Director of Sales and Business Development
Appreciate your reply. We’re basically splitting hairs and saying the same thing there. Also we’re getting to pitch more than 75% of the time so no need to change. 
Chep
WR Officer
0
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
Love this going to try it today
Panda4489
Politicker
1
Head of Some Shit
Conviction in what you're selling actually providing your prospect value and conviction that you're calling your ICP.

Confidence that you did the hard work and refined your pitch and know your buyer (or at least think you know). This will help. 

After that, the best ling is one that is thought-provoking and can immediately be tied to the value your solution provides.

Vague I know but if you can't answer these things with I'm convicted, I'm confident, and I know what the value we provide is. There's no magic one-line opener that can help TBH. Tell your manager you need more help to be successful.
DaveGreen
Arsonist
1
Head of Sales
Really depends to whom you’re selling. 

I try to get them out of balance. You know, they push you pull (karate kid stuff).

I’ve been using: “Hey John, it’s Dave with Company - wondering if you could help me out quick, are you the right person to talk to about XYZ?” Then I go ahead and state a problem other companies face and ask how he manages that.

Disclaimer: As with all advice, this works for me and my industry/product and might not work for you. Keep experimenting, especially when you’re just starting out.

Find your groove bud!
Stringer
Arsonist
1
SDR
Cut the bud shit. But in general, definitely could work. 
Chief
Arsonist
0
Account Executive
Damn Stringer. Not a bud guy, eh? 
IceInMyEmails
Opinionated
1
Enterprise BDR
definitely depends on the industry and who you're calling. But I personally have found success in saying

"Hi X, understand I'm calling you out of the blue / giving you a cold call, and I really want to be considerate, curious if you had 30 seconds just so I could explain why I'm reaching out?" 

Of course, they could say no, but much more often than not they'll give you the time - and once they do, I typically thank them and dive into my pitch.
Chep
WR Officer
0
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
Love this, but instead of saying the 30 seconds I say is now a bad time and if they say no normal pitch if they say yes then I ask if I can have 30 seconds to see if it's worth trying back
scratch
1
Account Executive
Hey Chep this is (name) calling from (company), they keeping you busy this (day of week)? 
ARRisLife
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Stolen from Jbarrow: "Hi Bob- the reason for my call is *as personalized hook as possible*

I usually don't even mention my name or company because I feel they dont even care and my company isn't super well known so it would be just empty words, I try and start with something very specific about them to make them understand that I'm not just running a script
Chep
WR Officer
0
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
I like the idea of proving your not just using a call script verbatim easy way to loose a prospect
Salespreuner
Big Shot
1
Regional Sales Director
Hey Xyz. This is Abc calling you to check on your well being and make it better for you and your organization to thrive in testing times. I thought of taking 30 secs of your time for the same. Hope all's well!
Chep
WR Officer
0
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
🤝
The.Machine
Politicker
1
Sales Development Lead
I know you're busy and I probably caught you in the middle of something! 

Always makes em awkward and either they say yeah they have just a few mins or ask how I can help em. 
Chep
WR Officer
0
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
Love it. I'm a big I know I'm catching you out of the blue is now a bad time question guy🤝
Chep
WR Officer
0
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
I like to start by saying "Thanks for taking my call {Prospect} then get into my pitch if they don't interrupt.
AE2SC
Good Citizen
1
Solutions Consultant
Do they already have your number saved?
Chep
WR Officer
1
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
In most cases no
sellout
Good Citizen
0
Hybrid Account Executive
Depends who I’m calling. I actually love getting the gate-keepers. I usually call, do my little intro and find out they aren’t the decision maker and I get super casual saying shit like:

”ahh no worries, what do you do?” Once I find out I try to uncover their personal pains and sell them on selling ME to whoever has the company wallet and makes the decisions. 
Kermit
0
BDM
'This is a sales call, but if you have 30 seconds I have something that's going to make you make to give me more of your time' 



normally results in a little chuckle and a 5 minute conversation at the least
AE2SC
Good Citizen
0
Solutions Consultant
Good Morning/Afternoon Prospect, how are you today?.

My name is (insert here), I'm calling from (insert company). The reason (insert business problem) and was curious, how are you guys currently addressing (buzz word/business problem)?

Clearly, tone and pitch are important. Actually asking how they are is a way to gauge how they feel about the call and what kind of mood they are in. I've found that telling them you are going "pitch" them puts them on the defensive because then they assume there's a reason they need to be sold. 

I'd prefer to have a conversation rather than a pitch. In my opinion, the lead-in with why you're calling and a quick, quick talk track to business objectives should be enough to either pique their interest or qualify them out. Don't tell them what you're doing just do it and do it casually/organically. 

If you are looking for a more targeted approach and not just dials weave in anything off Google/LinkedIn about their company, their role, or vertical/industry. Demonstrate that you understand what they go through day-to-day and what they need or that you've at least done your research. 
SalesSpectre
Opinionated
0
AE
morning Scooter..billy here from widgetsdata..i realize you werent expecting my call..mind if I tell you why im calling if I give u the short version?
Salespreuner
Big Shot
0
Regional Sales Director
Hey Sarah, thanks for picking my call. Do you have a moment please?
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