It’s perfectly understandable if the idea of cold calling makes you anxious. Most people on the other end of the phone don’t like the idea of talking to a stranger, especially one that is trying to sell something. But if cold calling brings the fear of dealing with disgruntled callers and getting hung up on, then there are a couple of things you can do to mentally prepare. Here are a few tips to help you deal with nerves when making a cold call.
Prepare Yourself
The best way to enter any stressful situation si by mentally and emotionally preparing yourself. You can prepare yourself emotionally by embracing your anxiety instead of burying it. Think about what you are afraid might happen, such as a person cursing you out over the phone. Then, remember that it’s not personal; the caller doesn’t have anything against you because they don’t know you. And even if they did, you’ll never have to deal with them again after your call. Mentally preparing yourself will also help you combat cold calling anxiety. Come up with a script for what you will say for every call. You should even write it down. That way, you won’t have to worry about thinking of what to say. And if you get nervous or something goes wrong you will have your script to fall back on.
Focus on Your Caller
Although it might seem nerve-wracking to talk to a stranger you can’t see over the phone, it actually helps more when you turn the conversation not focus on them. Many people like to talk about themselves in a casual, conversational sense, so this technique works for customer service as well. Of course, there’s no reason to get personal and in-depth for a sales call. But depending on what you’re offering, you can relate it back to the customer. For example, if you are offering home landscaping services, then you can talk to the caller about outdoor activities they would like to enjoy in their backyard.
Don’t Force It
Everybody is different, and for some people, the thought of cold calling is an adventure where they can meet new people, and they never know what might happen on the other end of the line. But if you are more introverted, that doesn’t mean you have to make yourself sound like a people person. Sometimes the best people for holding a conversation are more soft-spoken and good listeners. Instead of forcing yourself to make conversation, you should relax and say what comes naturally. So, if you are an extrovert who is very comfortable talking to people, then use that to your advantage. And if you aren’t, then you will be less anxious when you embrace your own conversational style.
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