Start Cold Calling Like a Pro

In my last blog, I suggested 3 things that can help promote the growth of your voice over business. Today I want to focus on one of those items - the dreaded cold call. I know, I know, cold calling potential clients is not fun. But it’s a necessary evil sometimes, and one that can pay dividends if you handle it right. Here’s how you can start handling cold calls like a pro:

●     Invest in some contact management software. You need some way to keep track of who you’ve called, after all.

●     Put together a list of contacts. Once you have a system in place for organizing your contacts, you need to compile a list of people to call. The best place to start here is the trusty old internet, which will supply you with more names and numbers than you realistically even need.

●     Make your calls in a quiet place without distraction. If the person on the other end of the line can hear your dog barking or your kid crying, they’re far less likely to take you seriously.

●     Be prepared to toot your own horn. Some people have no problem with this, but for others, it can be a real challenge. If this is the case with you, you need to get over it. You’re the best actor for the job, right? Now you need to convince the client of that.

●     Never make assumptions about the person on the other end of the line. For all you know, they could be the decision-maker that determines your fate. Treat everyone with respect and courtesy, and remember - administrative personnel can be your biggest ally.

●     Don’t get discouraged. Not every call is going to yield a gig, and it may even take a few calls to the same client to land the job. Stick with it, and follow up on promising leads.

●     Don’t take it personally when something doesn’t pan out. If you get your panties in a bunch every time someone tells you no, you’re going to be pretty uncomfortable. If you get a definitive “no” from someone, thank them for their time, and then move on to the next one. 
 *    Don't be afraid to leave a message when you get their voice mail. Remember, leaving a message is one more opportunity for them to hear your voice. So make it a good one that doesn't sounded scripted. You can always do this after hours too when you know they won't be there but their VM will be.