Why did the phone make a great salesperson? Because it had all the right ‘connections’!
Now, back to business. Crafting the perfect cold call opening line is an art, and we’re here to help you master it.
Say goodbye to awkward silences and hello to captivating conversations that lead to sales success. Our carefully curated list of cold call opening lines will grab attention and build rapport from the very first word.
Get ready to boost your sales call game with these power-packed phrases. Let’s dive in and discover the secrets to winning over prospects with the perfect cold call opening lines!
How to start a Cold Call?
Mastering the art of starting a cold call is crucial to capture your prospect’s attention and pave the way for a successful sales conversation. Follow these fundamental guidelines to make a memorable first impression with cold calls:
1) Research
Before dialing, invest time in researching your prospect’s industry, pain points, and recent achievements. This knowledge will help you tailor your cold call opening lines to their specific needs.
2) Personalization
Begin your cold call with a personalized touch by mentioning their name or referencing a mutual connection. This demonstrates that you’ve done your homework and establishes an immediate rapport in the sales call.
3) Hook with Value
Grab their attention with a concise statement in your cold call opening line that highlights a solution or benefit relevant to their business. Show them the value you can bring right from the start of the cold call.
4) Short and Concise
Keep your cold call opening line brief and to the point. Avoid lengthy monologues that may lose their interest. Remember, you only have a few seconds in the sales call to make an impact.
By mastering the basics of starting a cold call, you’ll set the stage for a productive conversation. These will increase your chances of converting leads into valuable customers.
Top 10 Best Cold Call Opening Lines
Sales professionals may consider cold calls to be quite challenging. But, with adequate prep and strong cold call opening lines, they can be a highly effective technique.
So without further ado, let us take a look at some of the best cold call opening lines…
#1 – “Hello! This is [your name] from [company]. I didn’t happen to catch you at a bad time, did I?”
In this cold call opening line, the sales rep immediately introduces themselves and the company. The second sentence of the cold call opening line also demonstrates that you appear considerate of the prospect’s time.
They may appreciate this and as such, you have set the tone for an open and friendly conversation.
#2 – “Hi Jay! This is [your name] from [company]. I was wondering if you would be able to help me out for a moment?”
Here, you are asking for your prospect’s help. This is effective as instead of asking for their time, you’re asking for their assistance. In this way, you’re more likely to get a positive response.
It is part of human nature to offer help when asked, and so you can use it for good in your opening line. Despite your prospect not knowing you personally, they are highly likely to respond positively.
#3 – “Hi! This is [your name] with [company name]. Do you have 30 seconds to hear why [company product] could work for you?”
In this cold call opening line, you, the sales rep quickly introduce yourself, your company and your product. This may help you catch the prospect’s attention early on in the phone call.
The salesperson then gives a potential time limit of 30 seconds for the phone call. As you’ve defined how long the expected duration of the call will be, this may appeal to busy people.
#4 – “Hello Jay! This is [your name] with [company name]. [Referral name] from [referral’s company] mentioned that I should get in touch with you regarding how our company helped him in [relieving pain point]. I’d like to discuss how our solution could be helpful to your business. Is this a good time?”
In this cold call opening line, you are mentioning a mutual contact. As a result, you’re more likely to get your prospect’s attention since you’re using a referral.
Overall, they will be more attentive and willing to listen to you. That is the kind of impact achieved from having a person they know in between.
#5 – “Hi Jay. How are you?”
In this cold call opening line, you are asking about the welfare of your prospect. Using this line will make them feel that the call is from a colleague or friend.
They may reply with an ‘I am fine’ or even ask who you are. Either way, their response helps you take the conversation ahead. This cold call opening line is an effective way in helping open a dialogue.
#6 – “Hello! I’m [your name] from [company]. I’m calling since we’ve recently helped [other business’ name] with [pain point], and we can help you too.”
You might not be able to find a referral for every prospect. But, it is likely that you will be dealing with your prospect’s competitor and you should take advantage of that.
Tell your prospects that their main competitor has solved a common problem of theirs with the help of your tool. If you tell them this, they’ll continue to listen to make sure they don’t miss out.
#7 – “Hi Jay! The reason that I’ve called you is…”
People who receive cold calls share the same thought, ‘Get to the point.’. In many cases, people won’t even actually listen to what you have to say until you disclose why you’re calling.
As such, telling them the reason directly can be highly productive in most cases. But, you must remember to be careful about how you phrase your reason.
You should keep it specific and target pain points. For example, “We help companies do X and Y to improve Z.” See, in this way, you’re talking about an issue that your prospect cares deeply about.
#8 – “Good evening, this is [your name] with [company name]. I’m calling because we at [company name] are committed to saving people like you time and money.”
Here, the sales representative introduces themself and their company and gives the reason why they are calling.
These details alone are enough to peak your prospect’s interest and extend the phone call. The sales rep also states the company’s mission. This may especially interest the prospective customer.
#9 – “Hi Jay, it’s our first time speaking. I was wondering if we could schedule a phone call next week.”
This is a rather straightforward and obvious approach but works because it is honest and direct.
It makes you appear more trustworthy as you are laying all your cards on the table. You’re saying that this is a cold call, but that you don’t want to interrupt the prospect’s busy schedule.
After delivering this cold call opening line, briefly pause to spark their curiosity. The prospect is highly likely to ask you, “About what?”. Subsequently, you will go on to explain what you plan to talk about in the future meeting. This is where you mention your products and services.
#10 – “Hello Jay, how have you been?”
At first glance, this cold call opening line may appear controversial. However, it is said to perform the best statistically and is considered the best cold call intro by many.
A cold call opening line like this is likely to confuse the prospect due to the fact that it implies they have met before. Especially after the truthfully honest “We’ve never spoken before” line, this may seem contradictory. But technically you aren’t lying either.
Moreover, if they’re in a good mood, they’re likely to even answer your question. But more importantly, they’ll ask about why you’ve called or how you know them. This then acts as the best way to open a sales call by setting the perfect ground for your pitch.
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Best practices to follow for cold call opening lines
To maximize the impact of your cold call opening lines and increase your chances of success, it’s essential to follow these best practices:
1) Be Authentic
Authenticity is key to building trust and credibility. Avoid using generic scripts and instead, speak naturally and genuinely to connect with your prospect.
2) Grab Attention
Start with a compelling hook that captures their interest and makes them want to hear more. Use a thought-provoking question or a surprising statistic to pique their curiosity.
3) Personalize
Tailor your opening line to the specific needs and pain points of your prospect. Show them that you understand their challenges and have a solution to offer.
4) Practice Empathy
Show empathy and demonstrate that you genuinely care about helping them solve their problems. Put yourself in their shoes and speak to their emotions.
5) Maintain Confidence
Project confidence and enthusiasm in your voice and tone. Believe in the value you bring and convey it convincingly.
By incorporating these best practices into your cold call opening lines, you’ll create a strong foundation for a meaningful conversation and increase your chances of converting leads into valuable customers.
Read about the difference between B2B and B2C Cold Calling
Conclusion
In conclusion, mastering the art of cold call opening lines is essential for successful sales calls. By incorporating the top 10 cold call opening lines we’ve shared, you can captivate prospects’ attention and build rapport. You will also increase your chances of sales conversion.
Remember, personalization, authenticity, and empathy are key to establishing a meaningful connection. Continually refine your approach and experiment with different techniques to find what works best for you.
Practice, practice, practice, and don’t be discouraged by rejection. Every cold call is an opportunity to learn and improve. With the right cold call opening lines and a confident demeanor, you can transform cold calls into warm conversations that lead to fruitful sales relationships.
Embrace these cold call strategies, and watch your sales soar to new heights.