3 Cold Calling Mistakes that Trigger Rejection |
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Submitted by Elizabeth Heintz
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Here are 3 common cold calling techniques that you should probably avoid:
Mistake #1: Center the conversation around yourself and what you have to offer
In the old approach, you introduce yourself, explain what you do, and suggest a benefit or feature of your product. And then you close your eyes and pray that the other person will be interested
Unfortunately, the moment you stop talking you usually hear, "Sorry, Im busy," or "Sorry, I'm not interested."
You see, youve started your cold call by talking about your world and what you have to offer. But realistically, most people arent all that interested in you. When you talk about your company and your product, its just another advertisement to them. You havent engaged them, so they often just "turn the page."
Prospects are much more interested in themselves and whats important to them. So if you start the conversation by focusing on their world, theyre more likely to interact with you.
So instead, talk about an issue or problem they may need solving. Focus on them rather than on what you have to offer. And see where it takes you.
Mistake #2: Be confident they should buy your product or service
In the old cold calling mindset, youre taught to focus on the sale and be completely confident that what youre offering is something the other person should buy.
The problem with this approach is that you havent asked them to determine this along with you. So think about it in the old mindset, youre really deciding for someone else whats good for them. I know this isnt intended, but thats exactly what comes across to your prospects.
So rather than being full of confidence and enthusiasm, stop for a minute and think about the other individual. Relax into a real conversation instead of moving into a persuasive strategy or sales pitch. Put yourself in their shoes and invite them to explore along with you whether what you have to offer is a match for them.
Others really can distinguish the difference. Youre inviting them to see if you might be able to help them solve a problem. This makes for a much better connection right at the beginning, and youll get that immediate rejection reaction much less.
Mistake #3: When someone brings up an objection, try to overcome it
You know, one of the reasons cold calling is so difficult is that sometimes you may not be very familiar with the other person and their business. When you make that first call, you dont know very much about their issues, problems, budget, and time constraints.
Chances are, not everyone is going to benefit by your product or service.
So realistically, your company or product isnt going to be a match for everyone. And yet, when someone brings up an objection ("we dont have the budget for that," etc.), the old cold calling mindset trains you to "overcome," "bypass," or "override."
But when you do that, you put the other person on the defensive. Something theyve said is being dismissed. And heres where rejection can happen very suddenly.
So its much better to listen to their concerns and continue to explore whether what youre offering makes sense for them. There are some wonderful phrases you can use that validate their viewpoint without closing the conversation.
So now youve discovered the 3 major cold calling mistakes people often make. See if you can shift away from those old self-sabotaging mindsets. When you do, youll notice that people will engage you much more, and the immediate rejection youve grown so accustomed to will happen much less.
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