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Your potential client seems distracted during a cold call. How do you keep them engaged?

Cold calls can be tricky, especially when your potential client seems distracted. It's essential to grab and maintain their attention to make a lasting impression. Here are some strategies to help:

  • Ask open-ended questions: Encourage dialogue that requires more than a yes or no answer.

  • Personalize your pitch: Reference their business or industry to show you've done your homework.

  • Keep it brief: Respect their time by getting to the point quickly and efficiently.

What methods have worked for you in keeping clients engaged during cold calls?

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Your potential client seems distracted during a cold call. How do you keep them engaged?

Cold calls can be tricky, especially when your potential client seems distracted. It's essential to grab and maintain their attention to make a lasting impression. Here are some strategies to help:

  • Ask open-ended questions: Encourage dialogue that requires more than a yes or no answer.

  • Personalize your pitch: Reference their business or industry to show you've done your homework.

  • Keep it brief: Respect their time by getting to the point quickly and efficiently.

What methods have worked for you in keeping clients engaged during cold calls?

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Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
31 answers
  • Contributor profile photo
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    Avani K

    Helping global clients grow with tailored software solutions.

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    To keep a distracted potential client engaged during a cold call, quickly identify their pain points and present a tailored solution that addresses their needs. Ask open-ended questions to involve them in the conversation and create curiosity. Keep your pitch concise, engaging, and relevant, highlighting key benefits and offering value upfront. Show empathy and actively listen to their concerns to maintain their interest and encourage further dialogue.

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    Daniel Gamor

    Top Real Estate Consultant | Shrewd Entrepreneur | Biomedical Engineer |

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    First build rapport with this client through open ended questions and rescheduled a convenient time to talk again for his maximum attention

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    Joe Pompilio

    LTL - Director Of Business Development

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    Personally I sway away from the sale and create urgency with my clients. So if trying to reach back to a customer I would say something like this. "Hi client name” I feel you are busy, and that’s expected. How about we continue this conversation when you have a few minutes to discuss. Here’s the urgency - And by any chance, if I don’t respond right away, we are very busy and I promise I will get right back to you as soon as possible.

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    Gadiel Nelson

    Banking | Customer Service Specialist | Call Center Professional | Delivering Exceptional Customer Experiences

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    One important thing i discovered in cold calling personalize each conversation and use open ended Question you'll get the maximum from it

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    Nouman Saleem

    Area Sales Manager | Sanabel Ohod Food

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    1. Ask open-ended questions to draw them into the conversation and encourage them to actively participate. 2. Listen actively and show genuine interest in what they have to say. This will make them feel valued and more likely to pay attention. 3. Share relevant information or insights that are tailored to their specific needs or interests. This can help grab their attention and keep them engaged. 4. Use stories or examples to illustrate your points and make the conversation more engaging and memorable. 5. Be enthusiastic and energetic in your tone of voice, as this can help capture their interest and keep them engaged.

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    Mr. Bipin Nasit 🇮🇳

    Founder & CEO at SROMPL | Driving Digital Transformation and Innovative Marketing Solutions.

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    Engaging a distracted potential client on a cold call demands a strategic and empathetic approach. Start by asking open-ended questions tailored to their business challenges, prompting meaningful dialogue and capturing their interest. Personalize your pitch by referencing their industry or specific pain points to establish credibility and relevance. Keep your delivery concise, ensuring every second counts while respecting their time. At SROMPL, we emphasize active listening and adaptive communication to turn cold calls into productive conversations, fostering genuine connections that lead to long-term success.

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    Mark Mahon II

    Regional Manager of Sales

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    Ask what their pain points/challenges/bottlenecks are. Refocus in that and how you can solve it. Push for the appointment. The goal of a cold call is the appointment.

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    Dennis Klaus

    Experienced Territory Sales Business Development Manager for OPE, Golf, Ag, Industrial and Construction Sales

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    Ask the potential customer what they are looking for in a supplier. Ask them what they need help with that affects them everyday or most frequently. Talk to them about what they need and how they got to where they are. Then you can let them know how you and your product can help them make things easier and can help them solve the issues they see frequently. If you can’t see a way to help them, then you know it’s not a good fit and both of you won’t lose time and effort over it.

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    Ken Soh

    Transform Packaging | Molded Pulp Solutions | Certified Sustainable Materials @ ZH PKG

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    The key to a successful cold call starts before dialing the number. Doing your homework and ensuring you’re reaching out to someone who genuinely needs your product saves time and makes the conversation meaningful. Once the call connects, it’s crucial to get straight to the point. Instead of solely focusing on price, asking a quick, relevant question about their challenges works wonders—something like, “Are you currently looking to improve [specific issue]?” This grabs attention and shows you understand their industry. Most importantly, focus on building the relationship first. Rushing rarely works. Patience and offering real value go a long way in establishing trust and creating lasting connections.

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    Viviana C. Gil Garzón

    Innovación en Recursos Humanos | Desarrollo de Equipos | Transformación de Equipos | Bienestar Organizacional | Coaching y Capacitación| Líder en Gestión de Personas | Neuromarketing Aplicado | Reclutamiento y Selección

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    Realizaría preguntas que logren reconectar al cliente y tenerlo interesado en la llamada por medio de la interacción; de su respuesta hago referencia a una historia que culmine con la sensibilización y que lo lleve a la acción de compra o acuerdo según mi producto o servicio ofrecido.

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