In an earlier column I wrote about some tips to consider when cold calling. Here are some more"?¦



5. Don´t forget that cold calling is only one aspect of generating leads and sales. Another way is to network. I advise my clients to attend at least 2 networking events per month. Networking is about generating publicity and publicity is about exposure. You must make it a part of your regular marketing strategy to get your message, product and firm´s name in front of as many people in as many different ways as possible. Nothing stagnates a marketing campaign faster than an old campaign. Freshen it up by getting out and meeting new prospects in new environments.
6. Send out press releases to prospects. Press releases aren´t for larger companies anymore, far from it. Smaller firms send out press releases as a way of letting future customers know about new products and services, and key employee appointments. Sending a press release can get your firm noticed in a whole new way.
7. Hire telemarketers as your budget allows and pay them accordingly. Nothing annoys me more than when a prospect calls and wants to pay me a commission based on their sales. So essentially they´re asking me to try to pay my bills on what they might sell. (there are a lot bad sales people out there just as there are a lot of bad cold callers.)My recommendation is to pay around $20.00 per hour. Commission optional.
8. Have a clear plan of what you want your cold caller to do. Don´t expect the cold caller to know what you want. We aren´t mind readers

Next Column: more tips