Master the Art of Cold Call Script Magic
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Effectiveness of Phone Prospecting
- Building a Call Script
- Phase One: Opener and Setup
- Phase Two: Uncovering Fit
- Phase Three: Overcoming Objections and Making the Ask
- Handling Objections and FAQs
- Conclusion
Article
Introduction
In today's digital age, the phone remains one of the most effective prospecting channels for salespeople. Surprisingly, research shows that phone calls are twice as effective as emails in capturing a prospect's interest. However, successfully compelling a prospect to book a discovery or demo call is an art that requires skill. In this article, we will guide You through the process of building a call script that will increase your success rate on the phone.
The Effectiveness of Phone Prospecting
Before diving into the details of creating a call script, let's explore why phone prospecting is still crucial in sales. Despite the rise of digital communication, the personal touch of a phone call has its advantages. It allows for real-time interaction, conveying tone and enthusiasm that emails often lack. Moreover, a phone conversation provides an opportunity for immediate feedback, enabling sales reps to adapt their approach dynamically.
Building a Call Script
A well-crafted call script is essential to keep you on message, maintain the call's flow, and guide the conversation towards your desired outcome. Let's break down the call script-building process into three phases: opener and setup, uncovering fit, and overcoming objections and making the ask.
Phase One: Opener and Setup
During the first 30 seconds of a call, you need to capture the prospect's Attention and answer key questions that are running through their mind. The opener should quickly establish who you are and why you're calling. It's crucial to use a pattern interrupt to stand out from the typical salesperson radar. For example, you can start with:
- "Hey John, Ross over at Over Quota. They're keeping you busy at Pied Piper today!"
- "Hey John, Ross at Over Quota. How have you been?"
Once you've delivered the opener, smoothly transition into the setup phase. In this phase, you must address the prospect's primary concerns: why you're calling and what's in it for them. By providing Context and teasing the value you can offer, you earn their attention and secure the next 30 seconds for Phase Two.
Phase Two: Uncovering Fit
In this phase, your goal is to uncover whether your product or service is a good fit for the prospect's needs. Start by delivering a quick observation that primes the prospect on the specific topic you want to discuss. For example, if you're calling sales leaders about boosting productivity, you can say:
- "Hey John, I noticed on LinkedIn your remote sales team has grown by 20% this year. Managing a remote team can be challenging, and I have some insights that can help."
Follow up the observation with a closed-ended question that establishes the prospect's initial need or fit. For instance:
- "Are you happy with rep productivity and overall performance, or could it be better?"
To Gather more contextual information, use an open-ended question that shows empathy and Curiosity. For example:
- "John, what types of sales tools or training have you implemented to improve rep performance?"
Phase Three: Overcoming Objections and Making the Ask
Upon reaching Phase Three, you're approximately 60 to 90 seconds into the call and ready to achieve your desired outcome. At this point, you might encounter objections. To address potential objections effectively, you should first pique their interest with a tailored question Based on what you've learned during the call. For instance:
- "John, would you be interested in learning about a new AI-guided sales software that automates manual work and guides reps in real time to win more deals?"
Once you've sparked their interest, deliver your ask with confidence. Typically, the ask on a cold call would be to schedule additional time together. Assume the prospect's agreement and offer specific time options, such as:
- "Great! Let's go ahead and pull up our calendars and get 20-30 minutes carved out for a demo. How does next Tuesday or Wednesday at either 1 or 3 pm Eastern look for you?"
Remember, conversations rarely follow a linear path, so be prepared to address objections and frequently asked questions along the way. Having responses ready will ensure you can confidently navigate any detours while keeping the conversation on track.
Handling Objections and FAQs
Conclusion
In conclusion, building a well-crafted call script is an essential tool for salespeople to effectively engage prospects on the phone. By following the outlined phases of the script and addressing objections, you can increase your success rate and achieve your desired outcome. Remember to constantly refine and adapt your script based on real-world interactions. With practice and perseverance, you'll become a master of phone prospecting and unlock new opportunities for sales success.