Marketing - The Bold Approach Method

Cold Calling Doesn't Work Stop Wasting Everyone's Time

I got a cold call from someone this morning and ended up hanging up on them. I'll let you find out why by watching my 2 minute rant below.

In tough economic times cold calling is the first thing that sales managers tell their salespeople to do more of. "Pick up the phone and call someone we have no relationship with, that we've never called on before and ask them for the business. It's cheap and it is what sets the good salespeople apart from the average."

Nothing could be further from the truth.

In tough times people who have the opportunity to buy from you are being bombarded by insane cold callers like the guy who called me this morning. They are setting up barriers so they can't be reached and they are not returning calls because of the volume of calls they receive.

Rather than cold call, get an introduction, a referral, get them to want to talk to you. Warm them up first and if you do cold call, don't start pushing your product right from the beginning, understand what the other person needs and wants and then craft your pitch to match it. The idea would be to warm them up first and then on a second call even start talking about how you can help. Better yet, let your marketing warm them up so that they know you are going to be calling.

I'm going to be writing about this extensively in my new book on selling in tough times which will be out in May.

Watch this rant, I think you'll get something from it! (apologies for not changing into more professional business attire before I ranted, I'm in the middle of writing and these are my writing clothes).

Economic Rebound Assistance

On the 22nd of January, 2009, ASI Central the leading organization for the Advertising Specialties Industry invited me to be a panelist on a webinar called "Operation Rebound." While examples were directed at the Ad Specialties industry, there is some really good info here. The replay lasts one hour, I think you'll find it useful.

Operation Rebound Webinar Replay

Get A Free Ticket To My $3500 January Speaking Event

CONTEST HAS ENDED TRY AGAIN NEXT TIME

Please read this post very closely if you want to win the ticket. This is not the biggest thing I'll do to change lives this month, that is still coming but this is the first part of it and you can benefit now.

I'm holding an event January 16-18, 2008 where I'll be teaching you how I've built and run a seven figure speaking business. I'll be teaching my exact model and we'll be creating tools for you to launch or grow your own business during the event. You'll find all the details here.

If you are the winner of the ticket, you must provide me with a copy of your airline reservation within 48 hours of winning showing you are attending. You are responsible for your airfare to and from the event and your lodging while you are at the event. After 48 hours, I'll offer it to the second place winner and so on.

Special note, if you've already purchased the event you are not eligible to win, I'm doing this contest as a demonstration and learning tool for those of you who are attending. No exceptions.

Ok, now, how to win the ticket.

The only place I'm promoting this is on Twitter, not to my list or anywhere else.

1. You must get at least 25 new people to follow me on twitter (they can't stop following me and then start again, I'll know if they do) They must say "found and followed @davelakhani from @_____ if your @name and mine isn't in the tweet it doesn't count because I won't be able to easily search for them.

2. You must write a blog post and tell me how you'll use this knowledge a. to change YOUR life and b. to change the world. You must also include a link to http://www.boldapproach.com/profitablespeaking your headline should be something about being a professional speaker or professional speaking. You must send me a DM on Twitter with link once it is complete.

3. You must be willing to retweet the announcement of the contest at least once.

If you do all those things, I'll choose the winner by determining who was the first person to do each thing and by the quality of your blog post by deciding independently how impactful I think this will be on your life and how impactful I think your contribution will be to the world.

That's it, good luck, in the case of a tie, I'll award the ticket to the person who referred the most followers. I have the sole discretion of awarding two tickets or not. If it is too close for me to call @benmack and @rachnajain will also provide input on who should win.

The contest ends at 6:00pm Mountain Standard Time January 2nd, 2008. If there are no winners, I reserve the right to end it or extend it. Once the contest is complete this post will be removed.

Looking forward to seeing you here!

Legal stuff: Contest void where prohibited, winner responsible for all taxes, travel, lodging and other expenses to attend the event.