Hi everyone

I have finally finished my business plan (it became a lot longer than I thought! lol), and part of that plan is cold calling businesses. I'm not going to get into detail over the phone, rather just get their permission to email them some more information and direct them to my website.

The VA industry is still fairly new here in New Zealand, so a lot of businesses have no idea what a virtual assistant even is! lol However, people I meet that I have spoken to about what I'm doing always say what an awesome idea, and how well it will do. So I think people will be receptive.

Has anyone else cold called before?
Like I said, it's not to get business straight off the bat - it's more to introduce myself and ask if I can send them more information via email (so that it gets read and it's not unsolicited).

Any idea's on how I can actually keep my pitch BRIEF? lol (I KNOW this will be a valuable services to a lot of businesses)... but how do I tell them ALL about this in just a few words?

Or... do I NOT tell them about it and just say that I can help their business but can I forward them some info via email? - but I don't want to sound like one of those annoying telemarketers that just want to sell something! lol

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks so much

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Deb Malone
Hour11 - Time is Money! Save Time. Save Money.

Deb,
Dont' really have any advice on what to say as my 'cold calling' has been to people I know, so they knew who I was, what I could do for them and why.

Could you figure out for yourself what YOU think you can do for them? And then bring it down to the very essence. That might at least help you figure out in our own mind what it is you want to get across.

I just wanted to wish you a lot of success. Your Monday is now I guess nearly over, so let us know how it went.

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Hilde
www.vbbassociates.com

Deb,
First let me say "Good for YOU!!" taking this necessary step for your business. One thing I have learned is have a script/outline ready. You do not have to read it exactly as is but use it as a guide. I know I get nervous and this helps me stay focused and on track.
Let us know how it is going.
Jenn

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Jenn B.
EveryBody Needs a JENN

I have to ask - how did it go?!!! I agree script is very important - as a guide. Also believe it or not SMILE when you are speaking on the phone - it will come through in your voice. After all you only have one chance to make a first impression and hopefully that first call is opening the door to a good business relationship.

Hi girls, thanks for your interest in my cold calling.... the verdict: email works better! lol

Here's how it went down. I had an idea of what I was going to say on the phone. The whole point was just to get an email address to send them more info to (and direct them to my website). What I found is that over the half dozen calls I made, they wanted to know exactly what I did - which meant getting into more detail.... but they didn't seem to see the benefits.

So..... I tried a different approach.

I went though and found out the appropriate people to email and got their address from their site, or where-ever I found the info. I direct emailed them (without the phone call first). I kept it relatively short but bullet pointed the ways I save them money, and the benefits to them. I kept it friendly and polite and at the end I thanked them for their time and directed them to call or visit my website for more info.

Well.... so far, from the 20 emails I have sent, I have had 3 replies - 2 saying that they found it great what I was doing and have passed it on to people they know that might be interested, and another that has asked me to design a flyer and get 3,000 of them printed! My first job!!!

So who knows, if I can go the extra mile and really impress this guy, no doubt he will pass my info on and more work might just come my way!

So.... verdict: email definitely works better. Now, it might be different over on your side of the world. Remember, here in NZ, VA's aren't even known - so the first question is 'what is that'. That's why I found email better - because straight away, you are saying what you do. It will be different for everyone.... but email is what works for me. And I haven't had any complaints about people receiving an email. I make sure it's personalised to that particular person, and that the tone is friendly. I'm not trying to sell them anything - I'm trying to help them, and I think that's what they get from the email.

Ok, time to get to it!

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Deb Malone
Hour11 - Time is Money! Save Time. Save Money.

Rock on Deb!!! That is awesome! I am so happy for you! Can I ask where you got your leads?

Keep on rockin'!
Pam

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Pam Blackman - The Process Coach
Get more done in less time by streamlining!

Thanks so much Pam!! Yeah I'm pretty happy. To be honest, it was totally random. I was driving into town the other day and saw all the signs up to vote for different candidates for the upcoming elections (just for local and regional councils). I thought to myself "what a big job they have - promoting themselves, keeping in touch with people, doing their day job and whatever else they have going on".

So I thought that I'm sure I could help them out.... and if I couldn't help that particular one out, then they might know someone who might need me. Because, at the end of the day, most of those nominated for council are business people - either running their own business, or know people IN business

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Deb Malone
Hour11 - Time is Money! Save Time. Save Money.

Way to Go DEB!!!! That is fantastic!!! Do what works!!!! Maybe you can get this new client to give you a testimonial and you can post it on your website. (just a thougtht)
I love that you contacted the candidates!! What a great idea :idea3:

Pam, Check out your local chamber of commerce (in person or online). A lot of the time they will have a member list and you can get their info there. (worked for me).

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Jenn B.
EveryBody Needs a JENN

Hi

Yahoo!!! That is awesome. I agree it's so nice to do what works. What's nice too is now you have the email template that works you can continue to tweak it and hit other areas too. That's awesome.

I really agree on the Chamber. There are just so many opportunities. Plus if you go for the breakfast meetings, you get a killer breakfast. Think I like that the BEST!

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Diana Ennen, www.VirtualWordPublishing.com
Author of Virtual Assistant the Series 4th edition

WOW!! I am so happy for you.I have done both email and cold calling in the past for company I worked for. I like email better also.

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Shawn Reynolds- Transaction Coordinator
www.worldclasstransactions.com