Cold Calls and Cold Feet

I have been consulting and freelancing since 2004, and I must admit: I still get cold feet when it comes to making cold calls.

There's always fear and trepidation with the cold call. I guess it's a little like when you are single, and you want to ask someone on a date: will they laugh at me? Get angry that I had the nerve to talk to them? Just hang up on me?

However, I've noticed lately that people I don't know aren't afraid to call me about a wide variety of issues, so why should I fear the cold call? I answer other people's cold calls, so why wouldn't someone answer mine?

I'm coaching myself to become more comfortable with the cold call so that when I do need to make one, I won't break out in a cold sweat!

Here's some ideas I developed:

1. You are good at talking with people at social functions, so apply this to a phone call.

2. Be brief and don't bore the person (just like at a reception).

3. Remember: you have something of value to offer this person that they may not know about so tell them.

I still need to wear my slippers when I make cold calls (to keep my feet warm) but I am getting more comfortable with it.

Any ideas out there about the art of the cold call? I'd love to hear your comments.

Comments

[Shannon Otto]

Cecilia, I've always had trouble making cold calls too - and I'm uncomfortable leaving voicemails sometimes as well, just because I'm afraid I'll trip over my words and say, "um" too much.

I'm not sure there's necessarily an "art" to making a cold call, but I have found that the more I do it, the better I get.