What is cold contacting?

Discussion in 'Copywriting' started by Creativewritingservices, Mar 30, 2009.

  1. #1
    Hello,
    I was just wondering what cold contacting is? I saw another user post about using it, read through there thread, but I still don't get what it is.

    Thanks for your help!
     
    Creativewritingservices, Mar 30, 2009 IP
  2. Hesster

    Hesster Peon

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    #2
    Cold contacting is where you reach out directly for clients that you haven't had any previous association with. Calling or sending a letter or email to a business out of the blue advertising your services would be an example of cold contacting.
     
    Hesster, Mar 31, 2009 IP
  3. jonarob

    jonarob Member

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    #3
    Yep, exactly what Hesster says. Can be very annoying when you're trying to get something done and a cold caller won't hang up.
     
    jonarob, Mar 31, 2009 IP
  4. Creativewritingservices

    Creativewritingservices Peon

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    #4
    Alright, Thanks a lot guys! I don't plan to do cold contacting any time soon, but for future reference I just wanted to know what it was.

    Again, thanks for helping me out!
     
    Creativewritingservices, Mar 31, 2009 IP
  5. cd928

    cd928 Peon

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    #5
    Oh, if it's any help, don't just cold contact any random person or business. Find out first what they're needs are and offer a solution. That's how you get their attention.
     
    cd928, Mar 31, 2009 IP
  6. ProCASHtinator

    ProCASHtinator Peon

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    #6
    When you get a telemarketer call at home, they are cold contacting you.
     
    ProCASHtinator, Mar 31, 2009 IP
  7. Recruitment Nick

    Recruitment Nick Well-Known Member

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    #7
    true, but this is important...

    basically if you are contacting an individual or company with a sales pitch it is best to have as much information about that potential customer as possible. You want to be able to show them 'how' you can help, not just tell them you can help.

    Cold contacting can be done in a number of ways, from email marketing to telesales. Just make sure you are targeting worthwhile individuals and companies - and that you're not spamming.

    Sales is a skill that can be learned, read up about it, practice it and it can be a great tool for developing any business - including content writing.
     
    Recruitment Nick, Mar 31, 2009 IP
  8. shoutcastking

    shoutcastking Peon

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    #8
    Cold contacting is a very bad scheme, contacting people who dont know your contacting them, you find alot of business dont do it much due to bad results
     
    shoutcastking, Mar 31, 2009 IP
  9. m_v_s

    m_v_s Active Member

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    #9
    cold contacting definitely earns a lot of business if you are good and the way you have established the contact..
    If you are pitching in with a good letter or some very unique style over the phone then definitely you can earn business without annoying the other person...
     
    m_v_s, Mar 31, 2009 IP
  10. Y.L. Prinzel

    Y.L. Prinzel Peon

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    #10
    Cold calling is one of the more successful methods of obtaining business. The key is not to just call any old person, but call those who have a problem you can solve. You have to put work into the list you create--you have to understand the businesses and sector you are calling, understand their problems, understand competing solutions, and understand why your solution is best.

    If I call you out of nowhere and tell you about my new line of dog treats and you don't own a dog, then you're not going to buy my treats. However, if I get a list of people who frequent a specialty dog shop and call them, my phone call is like manna from Heaven.
     
    Y.L. Prinzel, Mar 31, 2009 IP
  11. Hesster

    Hesster Peon

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    #11
    I don't agree that cold contacting is automatically bad. It can be a very inexpensive and effective technique of selling your services, provided you go about it in the right way. I think the key is to know who to contact and to offer value to the party you're contacting.
     
    Hesster, Mar 31, 2009 IP
  12. webgal

    webgal Peon

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    #12
    The return on your investment of time is not nearly as good as a referral. It wouldn't be done if it did not work at all. But you typically get the kind of clients you want if you at least ask for an introduction through a friend or professional association.
     
    webgal, Mar 31, 2009 IP
  13. Recruitment Nick

    Recruitment Nick Well-Known Member

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    #13
    But referrals are passive marketing, which is all well and good when happening in the background but proactive marketing is also vital for anyone looking to expand their business.... going out and doing something as opposed to waiting for it to come to you.

    If you are happy with the amount and quality of work that is coming in then referrals may be all you need, but if you want to change the circumstances then proactive is the only realistic way of going about doing it
     
    Recruitment Nick, Apr 1, 2009 IP
  14. cd928

    cd928 Peon

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    #14
    I think getting referrals applies to more experienced freelancers or businesspeople who already have a long list of former clients. The longer you are in the business, the more you rely on this and the more it works for you.

    Meanwhile, cold contacting is mostly for newbies or those who don't have yet a little black book of clients. In order to find work, they have to take a proactive approach to it.

    Both methods have their place, I think.
     
    cd928, Apr 1, 2009 IP
  15. Y.L. Prinzel

    Y.L. Prinzel Peon

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    #15
    Referrals are passive (unless you ask someone to introduce you, as Webgirl mentioned), and are for experienced freelancers. I will say that my very favorite, and most lucrative clients, were referred to me by other clients.

    Networking is another great method--and is generally more successful than cold calling. It's proactive and builds a foundation of trust before you even begin working together.

    As I mentioned before, cold calling is a great way to get new clients--whether you are new or have a successful business. A black book of clients is not something you want to rely on always carrying you through.

    In my opinion, to have an actual business (not just a job or task), you need to constantly market yourself through some method and gain new clients. If you simply rely on those you've worked with before you could be setting yourself up for trouble and you aren't growing your practice/ business/ whatever.
     
    Y.L. Prinzel, Apr 1, 2009 IP
  16. Y.L. Prinzel

    Y.L. Prinzel Peon

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    #16
    Referrals are passive (unless you ask someone to introduce you, as Webgirl mentioned), and are for experienced freelancers. I will say that my very favorite, and most lucrative clients, were referred to me by other clients.

    Networking is another great method--and is generally more successful than cold calling. It's proactive and builds a foundation of trust before you even begin working together.

    Cold calling is a great way to get new clients--whether you are new or have a successful business. A black book of clients is not something you want to rely on always carrying you through.

    In my opinion, to have an actual business (not just a job or task), you need to constantly market yourself through some method and gain new clients. If you simply rely on those you've worked with before you could be setting yourself up for trouble and you aren't growing your practice/ business/ whatever.
     
    Y.L. Prinzel, Apr 1, 2009 IP
  17. carol.prime

    carol.prime Active Member

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    #17
    To get it more simple, cold calling is offering your services to your prospect clients typically via phone. Most of the time, a company or a firm is using voip for more convenient and comfortable communication.
     
    carol.prime, Apr 1, 2009 IP
  18. vistasad

    vistasad Peon

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    #18
    Cold calling is by phone or traditionally a salesman at your office or door.
    It is a very useful way of spending spare time. Try not to sell but just make acquaintances and friends.
    Then try setting up a network. The best salespersons do this.
     
    vistasad, Apr 1, 2009 IP
  19. studygm

    studygm Peon

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    #19
    I think cold calling can be useful if you do not come on too strong. Just make it really informal and relaxing...
     
    studygm, Apr 2, 2009 IP
  20. recraig2

    recraig2 Well-Known Member

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    #20
    Yes, definitely waste all your time cold-calling. It is worth every minute of effort. Of course, as you know, a business owner is checking his or her email daily just to get the right cold-call offering them what they need. They will be absolutely thrilled when YOU contact them, because they will automatically recognize how special you are. We all recognized how special you are, so do not worry about presentation. Your glory will shine like the noonday sun. Just get out there and put every ounce of effort into it. We writers will be laboring away in vain here in our dungeons, writing for those who will never appreciate us.

    I give it a thumbs up! ;)
     
    recraig2, Apr 2, 2009 IP