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Insider’s Secret: Double Cold Calling Results
Leslie Buterin
Details (yuck!) are the bane of a sales professional’s existence.
None of us want to crunch puny little numbers throughout the day. Save that for the accountants who eat that stuff up.
Let us be free to sell, sell, and sell some more. The only puny numbers we’re interested in are numbers like ‘ones’ and ‘zeros’, as in the number one followed by lots and lots of zeros. Give us a nice round number like $1,000,000 … that’ll put a smile on the faces of just about every professional who sells!
Ah, but here’s the rub … those puny, little numbers hold captive the secrets to getting to the big round numbers, sooner rather than later.
Now, read closely and let your mind think about possibilities as the power of puny, little numbers is revealed.
A well-known, rarely implemented truth in the world of sales professionals is this…
- Not qualified for a sales industry? Specialize through a degree program.
- Network and Learn. Join a sales forum.
- Need help paying for school? Find a scholarship here.
What You Can Measure, You Can Manage… What You Can Manage You Can Improve… Dramatically!
Let’s start with little numbers like 10 and 1. As you review your call ratios for the year, you may find that you smile, you dial, and you make about 10 cold calls a day—around 50 cold, prospecting calls per week.
And you see that at the end of your time on the phone, you average about 1 appointment for every 10 cold calls.
You close roughly 1 out of every 2 people you meet with. When all is said and done at the end of the year, these puny little numbers of appointments result in sales that yield a pretty good income for you, around $70,000.
Now, let’s say you want to double your income. Yep, as the new year rolls around, you decide you want to double your income, making it $140,000.
The secret to reaching your goal is hidden in the numbers. Sure, your call ratios and salary may be much higher (or lower) than the numbers used in this example. No worries, simply plug your numbers into these equations to determine your desired outcome.
Being in control of our goals is one of many wonderful things we like about the profession of sales, isn’t it? We know the only thing standing between our dreams and us is our level of skill. We’re glad to gobble up any tips, tools, and techniques that’ll improve our seemingly magical talents that are the envy of others … especially those who think they don’t have the skills to give away ice water in the Sahara!
OK, as we look at just the numbers, you can reach your goal of $140,000 of take home pay by doubling one of a couple of puny numbers.
• You can learn how to double the number of appointments you get from your dials, so you get 2 appointments out of every 10 dials.
• You can learn how to double the number of sales you close, and make sure you get business from 2 out of every 2 people you meet with.
Hmm. Makes you pause and think doesn’t it?
Here’s a bonus tip for you …
As we closely scrutinize where these numbers come from, we might even find that if you changed the level of your approach call, you could do even better! Imagine what would happen to your sales if you added a few executive-level sales calls to the mix and spent your time talkin’ to The Top Dogs with unlimited ability to sign off on big deals!
Makes the goal of doubling your salary next year seem possible, doesn’t it?
In brief, you can double your income by learning how to:
1. Double the appointments you get from your dials
2. Double the sales you close during appointments
3. Double the size of your sales as you elevate the level of your point of entry … and talk to “The Top Dogs” first
So, next time you’re tempted to skim over the puny numbers in favor of the big round ones, slow yourself down, and take a close look at those little guys.
Determine where you want to focus your efforts to double your income. Do you want to double your call/appointment ratios; double your closing ratios; or elevate your prospecting calls to the top decision makers?
If you take the time to think, really think about these numbers, you’ll be amazed to find that doubling your take home pay is much, much closer than you think!
See More Tips on Cold Calling
gvargas22
22 days ago
6 comments
Very Basic, Law of Averages just with little ruffles around the edges. It comes down to work ethic, set a goal and don't settle for less. Make SMART goals.
1. Specific – Objectives should specify what they want to achieve.
2. Measurable – You should be able to measure whether you are meeting the objectives or not.
3. Achievable - Are the objectives you set, achievable and attainable?
4. Realistic – Can you realistically achieve the objectives with the resources you have?
5. Time – When do you want to achieve the set objectives?
Get to it
marcosellati
22 days ago
2 comments
Well, so poor content I could not manage it was really true ....
It seems more likely to be of the tips anyone of us gets everyday via e-mail about love and friendship...
I fully agree with BROB comment and I must say my feeling at the end of the article's lecture was I had lost my time.
kenmvms
23 days ago
10 comments
I'm wondering if this article is supposed to simply whet our appetites for a sales seminar the author is bringing to a town near you. Perhaps the author is hoping that the reader will take responsibility to determine why their numbers are the way they are - there are plenty of articles in this site to address the author's concerns. But, since the author never bothered to mention her desired outcome for this article, I'm left with only assumptions and guesses - neither of which are enough to come to a solid judgment or conclusion. At least I'm thinking...
BROB
23 days ago
2 comments
The best piece of this article was the headline. The rest is elementary sales 101 as suggested in an earlier comment. Give us some real substance after you get my attention.
Pharmsalesguy82
24 days ago
6 comments
to get past the gate keeper, you have to over come objection.
I dont need anyting, make a joke how about lunch. Or, we are not buying anything, change the call to i am not selling anything, introduce your company and hit them with sales in a future call, i find it takes 5 calls to the same person to close a deal. if you get a big deal on the first call, great but relationships that last come from mulitple calls, for the most part unless you luck out!
steven18104
24 days ago
2 comments
Uhhhh...yeah, how about adding, stop wasting your time reading what you already know. How about a substantial article with fresh tips on how to do #1, #2, and #3????
tbeck1973
24 days ago
8 comments
This is a sales 101 offering... great for the person taking the step from retail sales to B2B. Never hurts to have a reminder of the basics though. As much as the rest of these guys hate to admit even the most tenured rep will stray from the path and needs a refresher here and there.
RayP61
24 days ago
2 comments
Beyond basic and simplistic.
HarrietAlison
24 days ago
156 comments
Good for folks just starring out in sales to keep them focused on making calls and to talk to the decision maker
HarrietAlison
24 days ago
156 comments
Good for folks just starting in sales to keep them focused on making more calls and talking to the decision maker.
SalesCoach
24 days ago
2 comments
I agree to the two comments that recco22 made and wish this article has some insight to share.
recco22
24 days ago
2 comments
I agree...clearly doubling call numbers gives you double the chances of getting someone on the phone....therefore doubling your chances on having conversations and increasing your chances of closing that much more business. Classic sales...NOTHING any of us sales folks haven;t heard before or already know.
I would like to read about: what can you do while you're on the phones with a prospect...how to get passed gate keepers...tricks to help you stay on the phone longer...what are good prospecting questions...etc..
Robert47
24 days ago
4 comments
This article is basically a lecture on the obvious with absolutely NO training suggestions. Anyone is sales already knows that doubling call activity should increase number of prospects. I found this article to be OVER HYPED.
babo
7 months ago
2 comments
i am a recovery officer but i am also working as a sale person for this reason send a health materail for my help in recovery and sale please thanx