Cold calling isn’t the easiest thing to do. Calling someone out of the blue can feel awkward and a bit scary, right? But guess what? It’s still one of the most effective ways to make connections and close deals. With a few simple cold calling tips and other techniques like cold emailing and selling with social, you can boost your sales and start seeing better results.

Here’s a quick guide on cold calling techniques that work and how you can mix in other strategies like social selling to build a more powerful outreach approach.

What is Cold Calling?

Cold calling is when you call a potential customer who doesn’t know you yet. It’s a direct, personal way to introduce your product or service to new people. While it can be a bit nerve-wracking, using the right sales call techniques will make the process smoother and more effective.

Here are some simple and easy-to-follow cold calling techniques that can help you succeed:

1. Do a Little Research Before You Call

Before you dial, take a few minutes to learn about who you’re calling. Check out their company website or LinkedIn profile. This will help you tailor your conversation and show that you’ve done your homework.

For example, instead of saying, "I’m calling to talk about our product," try something like, "I noticed your company recently expanded. How’s the growth going?" This makes the call more personal and engaging.

2. Grab Attention in the First 10 Seconds

The first few seconds of your call are super important. You want to grab their attention quickly. Skip the boring stuff like “How are you today?” and go for something more direct like, "I know you weren’t expecting my call, but I promise I’ll be brief."

This helps you avoid getting hung up on and keeps the person on the line long enough to hear your pitch.

3. Be a Problem Solver, Not Just a Salesperson

People don’t like being sold to, but they do appreciate solutions to their problems. Ask about their pain points and challenges, and offer helpful advice. For example: “I saw that you’re hiring more sales reps. How are you managing the extra workload?”

This makes the conversation about them, not just about your product.

4. Handle Objections with Confidence

Objections are normal in cold calling, so don’t be caught off guard. Be ready for common pushbacks like “We’re not interested” or “We don’t have the budget right now.” Instead of backing off, respond calmly and with understanding: “I totally get it. Just out of curiosity, what are your top priorities right now?”

This keeps the conversation going and shows that you’re listening, not just pushing a sale.

5. Don’t Forget to Follow Up

Not every cold call will end in a deal, and that’s okay. What’s important is the follow-up. Whether it’s a quick email or scheduling another call, following up shows that you’re serious and professional.

A simple email after the call can make a huge difference: “Thanks for your time today! Just wanted to share a bit more info on how we can help with [specific problem]. Let’s stay in touch!”

Cold Calling is Great, But Try These Too

While cold calling works, you can combine it with other techniques like cold emailing and social selling to get even better results. Here’s how they stack up:

Cold Emailing

Cold emailing is just like cold calling, but instead of calling, you send an email to someone who hasn’t heard from you before. It’s less direct but can still grab attention if done right. Here are some quick cold email tips:

• Keep it Personal: Use the person’s name and mention something specific about their company.
• Short Subject Line: Your subject line should be quick and to the point, like “Quick idea to help your team.”
• Keep the Email Short: Don’t overwhelm them with too much info. Get to the point quickly and offer a clear next step.

Cold Email Example:

“Hi [Name], I came across [Company] and was impressed by how you’ve [specific achievement or recent change]. We’ve helped businesses like yours streamline [specific problem], and I’d love to discuss how we can help you too. Are you free for a quick call this week?”

Social Selling

Selling with social is all about using platforms like LinkedIn to connect with prospects and build relationships. It’s more laid-back than cold calling, but it’s great for keeping yourself on someone’s radar over time. Here’s how to do it:

• Engage with Content: Like, comment, or share a prospect’s posts to show interest in what they’re doing.
• Send a Personalized Connection Request: Don’t just hit "connect." Include a note like, “I came across your post about [topic], and I’d love to stay connected.”
• Build the Relationship: After connecting, take your time. Comment on their posts or send helpful articles before you make your pitch. This builds trust and makes them more likely to listen when you do reach out.

How to Combine These Techniques for Success

The best approach to outreach is using multiple techniques together. Here’s a quick plan:

1. Start with a Cold Email: Send a personalized email introducing yourself and your product.
2. Follow Up with a Cold Call: Call a few days later to follow up on the email.
3. Engage on Social Media: Use social selling to stay connected and build trust over time. This will also boost your SSI score (Social Selling Index score), which can help you connect with more people.

By combining cold calling, cold emailing, and social selling, you create more opportunities to connect with leads and close more deals.

Cold outreach doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Whether you're using cold calling techniques, cold emailing, or social selling, the key is to be genuine, offer value, and build relationships. Combining these techniques will help you create a comprehensive outreach strategy that not only gets you in front of prospects but also turns those leads into loyal customers. Your next big sale could be just one call or email away!