Fear of cold calling..solution?

start off by calling dentists in another city, just for practice.
then you'll already know the outcome won't matter so the pressure's off.
you can even troll them if you like.
you also won't burn through any potential clients.

then after you think you've gotten the hang of it, start doing it for real in your chosen city.

This post is pretty old, I dont know if you are still in the market for ideas, and if you have decided to call you now understand what I am about to tell you. I have had a call center in some fashion for over 15 years. The one thing that you have to remember, and it is like everything else; cold calling, selling, email marketing etc. You can not take it personally and its all in the numbers. First, thing though is your calling Dentists. Very Very hard field. We sell to them alot, you never will get a Dentist to answer the phone, ever. You have to pitch the bitch, you have to understand she will relay the info to the dentist. Your message has to come in a form of an email or fax. The Dentist will not call you back unless very interested. Most of the time it will be relayed between the office manager and you. That is who you want to ask for, the office manager, dont waste your time with the receptionist. Get a script, no need trying to figure out if it will work. Spend 5-10 minutes, typ it out, start calling. It will be an every changing thing. The only way to know if it works is try it out. DONT THINK, JUST DIAL. Dial like crazy, get managers names and call back if not in. Dont leave messages, just a waste of time. Keep redoing your script, after 2 days you will have a good one. Get the DR's email address if possible, you want the email of fax short and sweet. The DR has no time, wet the appetite direct to a page, have the DR call you or email you. More times then not, it will be thru the manager. SO I hate to say it but you will need to present everything to the OM. Sucks but we get alot of dentists as clients. Just do it, think of them as numbers not people, its easier. You will figure out your rate of failure. Meaning how many nos it takes to get that yes. There is your ratio. You know I have to make x calls, to get x sales. Good luck. mess me if you need help.

Don't cold call. If you are serious about growing your business, cold calling is NOT an option. You should only cold call when there is no other way to get to the decision maker, i.e. you can't get to them through networking, sending information products to introduce you and your business etc.

I personally hate old calling, I have a big fear of it. BUT, if I do my research first I get GREAT results.

Last friday I made 3 calls, the first 2 the owner was "out". The 3rd I got an appointment for the next day... which I sold.

Their is no solution. Just do it. I always have to tell myself to stop being a wuss and do it. I always sound like a retard and am nervous but who cares if I gets da moneys.

First attempt at cold calling today, it was an end of the day call, two didnt answer, 1 answered, i asked who would be the one to speak with regarding marketing their business, he gave me a name, said he wasnt in, will call monday morning....

Hierarchy said:

This explains it all. Just do it.. If they say no, say thanks, hang up and move on to the next. Success is in numbers and there is no reason you should be scared of someone you don't know who cant see you and probably will never remember you unless they say yes..

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It's just like talking to women and asking them on a date too. At first you will be nervous and will suck, but then after you try different strategies and learn what gets rejected you'll become pro. People aren't born good at cold calling. They failed at 1st.