At work this week I am cold calling - aaaaghhhh

[northerner]

I only need 1 lead, just 1, not too much to ask is it? But no one wants to talk to me, I can detect theire dis-interest the minute I introduce myself.

Any tips?

Oh it's grim isn't it northerner? Are you ringing businesses or individuals?

Do you have to work from a script? If you can work out your own approach it is much easier...somewhere I have my notes from a course in how to sell your services on the phone and I'll dig them out if I can. Its for B2B sales though, so it might not if you are cold calling individual customers.

FWIW, though, I have much more respect for cold callers who state the purpose of their call right upfront eg we are trying to arrange a meetings for our consultants/ we are looking for customers who might be interested in a demonstration of Y product. I hate the spurious 'friendly' conversation that wastes your time and builds no rapport whatever. Arrgggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!! Just be business like, for God's sake!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh Dear Northerner - I don't envy you. I'm with hausfrau - I strongly feel its wrong. I hate cold callers. I'm afraid I am make short work of them. I have a list of companies who have cold called me and I will never buy from them - ever. So I'm afraid I don't hold out much hope for you.

Wish I could give some positive advice. All I can say is don't take it personally - people just hate being bothered in that way. can you not plead its against your religion

This might be really obvious, but try and smile while you are talking to people. Although they can't see it, it does make you sound more friendly and hopefully gets a better response. like that!

Gizmo it is B2B, so if you could dig out your notes that would be great. Agree about the friendly banter - I hate it to!

I am registered - the odd one still sneaks through the net. Talk Talk rang me the other day though it was the first in months and months.

I do feel for you it can't be fun. Luckily when I worked in a call centre it was incoming calls. Poor you.