Cold calling is when you call someone out of the blue, who has no idea who you are, and you don’t personally know them either. There is no relationship, no trust, and no idea if you are “right” for each other.

However. You can still contact people that you don’t know (and they don’t know you) by using referrals in a smart way.

What’s smart?

Asking your clients to BRING A FRIEND to an event, or to email an introduction between you and their friend, or to phone their friend and recommend they meet with you.

In today’s world – if you called me up and asked me to have a pampering session I would assume that it would involve a sales pitch and I wouldn’t be interested. Women are short on time and something has to be extremely compelling for them to give it to you.

BUT IF MY FRIEND says “hey -let’s get together with Elke and some friends and have some fun with make-up…” that feels so much better.

Also hold an event that doesn’t completely revolve around you – invite someone who is a strategic alliance – it is complementary to what you are offering – and definitely more fun for your potential customer and customers.

Good luck!

Kim

Cold calling is just 1 other method… but will now revisit it.

I think you’d have a even higher closing ratio if you moved into the world of referral selling instead. You’d get between 80-90% for closing vs what you’re doing now.

I’m sure you are a marvelous relationship builder which is a huge strength! However – customers don’t like being cold called and even now – there are privacy laws being created that will stop cold-callers in their tracks.

Shoot for an attraction strategy vs one that chases. Get into the media, write articles, develop a referral strategy, strategic alliances, presentations, write an e-zine, do PR – they are much more credible ways of building your business and you’ll discover they attract a much better customer.

Good luck!

Kim