The opposite of cold calling may be the key to growing your sales.
I talk to companies every week about their frustration with cold calling. It is a painful and inefficient way to get new sales, but for many the alternatives seem daunting and unattainable. Growing your sales without cold calling is challenging, but very doable.
The Problems with Cold Calling
When you cold-call someone:
- They often don’t believe they have a problem (it doesn’t matter if you think they do)
- If they think they have a problem, they may not plan on addressing it today
- They don’t know you and they don’t necessarily think you can solve their problem
- They get a dozen calls per week from companies just like yours
- You might be viewed as a nuisance or a pest
The Opposite of Cold Calling
The opposite of cold-calling is having a prospect call you. When a prospect calls you, the following is typically true:
- The prospect knows they have a problem
- They want to work on the problem today
- They think you may be the solution to their problem
- Your prospect thinks you are credible, maybe even an expert
Obviously, every sales person would prefer prospects call them, but how do you make that happen?
Getting a Prospect to Contact You
Your ideal prospect is most likely using the web to find solutions to their biggest problems. Your challenge is being found as one of those solutions.
- Pick a niche. You can’t be everything to everyone, so please don’t try. If you sell logistics services pick an area where you can specialize like USA – Mexico cross-border shipments or bulk shipping. Ideally, you pick an area where you and or your company already have some expertise.
- Become an expert in your niche. Do the research to become a true expert in your chosen niche. Make sure you understand the biggest problems facing your ideal customer within your niche. Remember, nobody is online searching for a salesperson, they are looking for an expert to solve their problems.
- Share Your Expertise. Picking a niche and becoming an expert in it is great, but you won’t be considered a recognized expert unless you generously share your knowledge with the world – especially your ideal customer. You can share your expertise though blog posts, magazine articles, websites, webinars, speaking engagements, LinkedIn articles/posts, Youtube, and an ever-growing list of websites and social media platforms. The channels are just pipes to move your content from you to your prospects. Ideally, share your content through multiple channels.
Getting Found is Awesome
If you follow these steps, you will be found by your prospective customers and you will love it. Closing a sale is much easier, when your prospect calls you.
I help transportation and logistics companies get found by shippers. If you would like to grow your 3PL sales, please contact me at [email protected].