call reluctance, cold call resistance, how to improve selling skills,

Do you or your team suffer from call reluctance?

Would you rather send emails than make calls?

If you have to pick up the phone for a living, then I’ll bet making cold calls isn’t one of your favorite activities. And if you struggle making those calls, then take comfort in knowing you’re not alone.

Speaking in public used to be the biggest fear someone could face (even before dying), but I think that for salespeople it’s making outbound calls. No one likes to be rejected, and the resistance you get from gatekeepers, receptionists, decision makers, etc., can quickly result in call reluctance.

There are many things you can do to be more prepared to make successful calls, and here are my top three:

#1: Be prepared with proven scripts or “talk tracks” to handle the inevitable rejection and responses you’re going to get. If you don’t have proven answers that automatically flow out of your mouth when you get things like:

“Will he know what this call is regarding?”
“We’re all set,”
“I wouldn’t be interested.”
“Just email me something.”

And more, then this is job one. You must have proven and effective responses ready for these, otherwise you’ll struggle on each and every call…

#2: Have all your leads/phone numbers/contacts ready in advance. Do your research and then compile a list of 50 – 100 names and numbers you can dive into. If not, then you’ll spend your time between calls researching, reading blog posts, looking at websites, taking lunch, and then not calling enough prospects to make a difference.

Being prepared in advance to sit down and dial repeatedly not only builds momentum, but gets you results.

#3: Take the pressure off yourself. Not everyone you’re going to speak to is going to be interested or even a fit, so don’t set your expectations too high. You’re not trying to sell or convert each person you speak to; instead, you’re just looking for an opportunity.

When you look at this this way, you’ll be much less likely to take the inevitable rejection you face personally. Instead, just tell yourself that if someone isn’t interested, then you’ve moved that much closer to finding the person who is.

If you can take care of the three items above, then you’ll be removing a lot of the “internal resistance” you have around making calls. And the good thing is that once you do get into a groove of making successful calls, your confidence will grow as will your sales.

If you’d like to learn even more strategies or get the tools and skills you need to get better selling over the phone, then see our new online training program.

Need More Proven Responses to the Selling Situations You Face Every Day?

Join Our Next Training:

If your team is struggling with call reluctance and is tired of the endless rejection they face, then this live, interactive online B2B & B2C inside sales training is exactly what they need to get excited & confident about selling again! We provide the exact talk tracks, templates, and proven tools your team will be motivated to apply, all structured around an award winning comprehensive inside sales approach that gives your team the confidence to succeed in every selling situation they face today.

Who Should Attend?

Any sales reps dealing with the following issues:

Reps struggling with call reluctance
Getting screened out by the gatekeeper
Overcoming blow off objections like, “Just email me something”
Identifying decision makers
Qualifying prospects
Setting call back appointments that stick
Giving successful presentations and dealing with objections
Staying motivated

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