Making Making A A

Cold CallCold Call

Plan AheadPlan AheadMost people are uncomfortable making a phone Most people are uncomfortable making a phone

call call to someone they do not know. to someone they do not know.

In order to be as effective as possible and to make In order to be as effective as possible and to make things go smoothly, it is important to plan ahead. things go smoothly, it is important to plan ahead.

Here are some things to plan for.Here are some things to plan for.

Before Before

the Callthe CallMaking Making

the Callthe CallAfter After

the Callthe Call

Before the Call:Before the Call: make sure you are clear about make sure you are clear about

your reason for calling – write it your reason for calling – write it down if it helps down if it helps

write down important write down important information you may need to information you may need to give (times, dates, phone give (times, dates, phone numbers, address, e-mail)numbers, address, e-mail)

write down any questions you write down any questions you want to ask so you don’t forget – want to ask so you don’t forget – it might be helpful to leave space it might be helpful to leave space to write down answers you getto write down answers you get

have a pen and paper handyhave a pen and paper handy Next

Making the Call:Making the Call:

do not have anything in do not have anything in your mouth (food, gum, your mouth (food, gum, etc.)etc.)

call from a quiet placecall from a quiet place

DO NOT put them on hold to DO NOT put them on hold to accept outside callsaccept outside calls

speak clearly and with speak clearly and with confidenceconfidence

Next

Making the Call Making the Call (continued)(continued) : : introduce yourself and your reason for introduce yourself and your reason for

callingcalling

ask politely for the person you want to ask politely for the person you want to speak tospeak to

record important information you get even record important information you get even if it is not an answer to one of your if it is not an answer to one of your original questionsoriginal questions

if you expect them to call you back or you if you expect them to call you back or you plan on making a visit, make definite plan on making a visit, make definite arrangements, if possible, and make sure arrangements, if possible, and make sure you and/or they have all necessary you and/or they have all necessary informationinformation

Next

Making the Call Making the Call (continued)(continued) : :

Next

don’t rush – take the time to don’t rush – take the time to look look at your information to ensure at your information to ensure you you have everything you needhave everything you need

you may want to ask them if you may want to ask them if they they can think of anything else can think of anything else that that might be of help to you that might be of help to you that you you missedmissed

politely thank them for taking politely thank them for taking the the time to talk to youtime to talk to you

After the Call:After the Call:

review the information you wrote down review the information you wrote down and add any extra details you think of and add any extra details you think of but didn’t have time to write but didn’t have time to write

make sure you write the date and time of make sure you write the date and time of the phone call on you note paper for the phone call on you note paper for future referencefuture reference

Next

You’ve made your first cold call You’ve made your first cold call and now have a very valuable and now have a very valuable skill.skill.

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