Calo Marketing & Design

If you have a small start-up business like mine the first thing you'd want to do is create sales and lots of them. So in order to create more sales and build a customer base with real prospects you really can't get any more basic than doing cold calls. It's a straight up hustle, sweat, blood and tears and probably the most cost effective way of doing it. Here are a few pointers if you are jumping in the deep end like I did. 

* Turn your fear into motivation. Know that you will get rejected and that's ok. The more you practice the easier it will get. 
* Make sure you know who you're calling. Develop a target market and make sure that the products and services you offer are appropriate to the market you're targeting. Do your products or services meet the needs of your customers? 
* Instead of reading down a list of services, explain how your services will benefit their business. Will it help them get more customers, increase visibility or minimize costs? 
* Make a list of specific questions to ask. Now that you have their attention you need to pin point what their needs are. 
* Listening is also very important and is a genuine gesture that says you do care about your customers and your business and that your not out here just to make a quick buck. 
* Last but not least, if they say "No" then accept it and move on. There is nothing more annoying than telling a sales person no thank you more than once. Besides, the fact that you talked to them, said your piece and respected their "No" will most likely put you in the forefront of their mind when they do need your services. Every customer touch is a potential opportunity and first impressions are important. 

So go for it! Jump right in! Or maybe after you develop a marketing strategy, website and SEO you will have a better idea of who needs your products and services and where they're hiding.