8 Ways to Convert your Cold Calls into Successful Sales Meetings

Many people get scared away from sales when they hear about cold calling. Cold calling can be an effective sales technique that can help you qualify leads and gain new clients. Getting through to prospects has become more challenging in the last few years. Robocalls makes most of us hesitant to pick up calls from “unknown” callers and Apple IOS has released a new feature to automatically block unknown callers. So why should you care about cold calls? 

Well if cold calling is done correctly, it can be a really effective way to reach your prospects. The goal of a cold call should be to set up a meeting, not to make the sale. 

Learn how Attention can help you run effective sales meetings. Leveraging NLP, you are now able to train your junior sales reps quickly and effectively. 

Follow these 8 tips to help you or your sales team master cold calling and secure more deals.

1. Be Prepared

Before you pick up the phone, do thorough research on your prospect. Make sure you have their correct name, business, and relevant industry data. This preparation will help your call run smoothly. If you're experiencing cold call anxiety, try these 8 lead calling tips to help overcome it.

Researching your prospect also helps determine if they fit your buyer persona and if they are a good match for your product. Focus your time and energy on prospects who are more likely to be interested in what you have to offer. Random cold calling isn't as effective as it used to be; today's buyers are more informed than ever, so being prepared allows you to be a better salesperson.

2. Leverage AI-Driven CRM Enhancements

Incorporate AI-powered CRM enhancements to streamline your cold calling process. These tools can automatically populate CRM fields based on your conversations, reducing manual data entry and allowing you to focus more on nurturing leads.

3. Implement Real-Time Sales Coaching

Utilize real-time sales coaching to gain actionable insights during calls. This technology provides immediate feedback, allowing you to adjust your approach on the fly and increase your chances of securing meetings.

Integrating Attention into your sales calls can increase your business's closed deals on average by 48%. Attention tracks the progress of your new hires and guides them into becoming super sellers within a month.

4. Know the Answers Before You're Questioned

Understanding your prospects' pain points is crucial when closing a deal. How you carry the conversation will determine if you move forward or lose the prospect. Prepare responses to frequently asked questions to set yourself up for success.

Practice your sales pitch before making the call. Some salespeople find that smiling while speaking makes their message come across more effectively, while others prefer standing or walking around. No matter your approach, ensure you provide valuable information that addresses your prospect's potential questions.

5. Find the Best Time That Works for Your Prospects

A great way to start any sales conversation is by asking for permission to begin.

For example: "Hi, this is John from [Company], is now a good time to talk?"

If they say yes, you have permission to proceed. If they say no, try to reschedule for a time that works better for them. This allows your prospect to engage with you when they can give you their full attention.

6. Take Charge of the Call

When speaking with your prospect, have a clear outline of your talking points. This helps you stay focused and in control of the conversation, which is crucial during cold calls. It also allows you to keep notes on what you've discussed, which will be helpful when qualifying the lead.

By having structured talking points, you avoid rambling and keep the objective of the call in sight. Remember, even though you're steering the conversation, the main focus should always be the prospect.

7. Provide Solutions, Not a Sales Pitch

Avoid using a scripted pitch during your cold calls. This approach often leads to prospects saying they're not interested or ending the call prematurely. Most people are busy and don't have time for lengthy scripts.

Instead, provide practical information that demonstrates you understand their situation. Once you've identified their pain point, offer your product as a solution to their business problems. The focus of your call should not be to persuade your prospect to buy something they don't need, but to provide them with a solution that can benefit their business.

8. Stay in Touch with Your Prospect

Towards the end of your conversation, strategically plan a follow-up. You can schedule a demo, sign them up for your mailing list, or offer to send additional information on the topics you've discussed.

If your prospect didn't answer the first call, try reaching out again the next day or send them a cold email to set up a meeting.

Following up with personalized emails reinforces your message and keeps prospects engaged. Automated features can draft messages based on call content, saving time while maintaining a personal touch.

To maximize your cold calling efforts and run successful sales meetings, try Attention. Attention uses innovative AI to deliver real-time guidance during sales calls. This allows your organization to ramp up new hires, and increase closed deals.