What are cold call openings? A cold call opening is your first 5 seconds of the conversation with a prospect. It’s important because it sets the tone for your entire call and influences whether or not you get to speak to the right person in the organization about what matters most to them.
The following are some great examples of cold call opening lines that spark interest and get prospects on the line to speak with sales reps.
1) “Is this a great time to talk?”
This is a great way to ensure that your prospect will give you their undivided attention because it can determine whether or not you’re speaking to them at a convenient time. It also shows that you are concerned about how busy they may be and encourages them to make time for you.
2) “I noticed on (LinkedIn/Twitter, etc.) that you work at (company).”
This shows that you took the time to do a little research and look up LinkedIn or Twitter profiles, showing you what types of things they’re working on. It also shows that you’re taking the conversation seriously and are genuinely interested in them. You can also mention that you saw their company on another website or refer to a recent press release, so they understand that you’re not just phoning it in.
3) “We ended up getting off on the wrong track because I didn’t quite understand what your organization does.”
This is a great way to start the conversation because it shows that you were interested in what they had to say but couldn’t understand their project or organization. It also quickly demonstrates that you are motivated to learn more about them, which is essential since sales reps aren’t expected to know everything about every industry.
4) “I was given your name by (name).”
This is another excellent way to start your call because it tells the prospect that you were given their name by someone who matters to them, and it shows that you’re not just picking random words at an organization but are actively networking with people they know.
5) “I work with (type of company). I noticed that you worked with (company), which I thought was impressive.”
This is a great way to mention that you’re working for a company they’ll recognize and then prove that the company is indeed reputable. You want to show them that you know what you’re doing and ensure that they know about other companies in your industry, so it’s clear that you’re knowledgeable about their field.
6) “I wanted to speak with you because I’ve been following the work that your company is doing and was recently impressed by (company), (article) or (statement).”
This shows them that you’re already familiar with what they do but are trying to learn even more, and it also explains that you’re not just calling because you want something but are interested in what they do.
7) “I work with (company), I noticed your company name on our client list.”
This shows the prospect that the company you work for does good business, which is an essential factor since most companies would prefer to work with another company that has a good track record. It also shows them that you are familiar with the type of work but aren’t trying to convince them that you’re experts in their field since you already let them know who your client is.
8) “I noticed on (competitor’s/market leader’s) website that they work with customers like you.”
This is a great way to show that you’re aware of who they work with since many people tend to ask who their clients are. It also shows them that you’re familiar with industry standards and best practices, which can be a big plus since sales reps aren’t expected to know everything about every single company or industry.
9) “I saw (company) on (news website), and I was very impressed and wanted to learn more about your organization.”
This shows the prospect that you know what they do and are interested in learning more, and it also demonstrates that you take an interest in industry news and keep up with the latest trends. Since marketers tend to constantly study their clients and the market to ensure they’re up-to-date on best practices, this approach can be efficient.
10) “I wanted to learn more about (type of project you mentioned).”
This is another excellent way to demonstrate your interest in what they do because it shows you were listening closely during the initial conversation. You don’t want to seem like you were daydreaming, so the more accurate your information is, the better. Including some of their remarks can help prove that you’re taking it seriously and are genuinely interested in learning more about them.
11) “I noticed that (competitor’s company name) is working with you on a project.”
This demonstrates that you know who they work with and are not out of touch with industry standards like the other examples. The difference is that this example focuses more on demonstrating your knowledge than it does your genuine interest in learning about their company or project.
12) “You probably get lots of unwelcome calls from sales reps, so I’ll try to be brief.”
This approach shows that you’re aware of what it’s like to be bombarded by sales calls and made an effort to keep yours short. It also demonstrates that you know the prospect isn’t obligated to talk with you even if they don’t think highly of your industry, which helps make them feel more comfortable. This is an excellent way to establish a rapport with the other person and show that you’re not just trying to sell them something.
13) “I’m reaching out from (company). We work with clients like your company.”
This shows them that you know who they are and what type of company they have, giving people more confidence in what you do. It also demonstrates that you do good business by mentioning a company similar to theirs.
14) “I was looking for insights from companies like yours and found your website.”
This approach works well because it shows you know who they work with and what type of company they have. It also demonstrates that you’re not just trying to sell them something, which gives the other person more confidence in what you do.
15) “I saw (company name) mentioned on your website.”
This is another good way to show that you’re familiar with their work since many people will take note of any company or organization that mentions them online. It also demonstrates that you know who they are and what type of company they have, making the conversation go more smoothly.
16) “I wanted to learn more about (type of project you mentioned).”
Like some of the other examples on this list, this approach demonstrates that you know what they do and are interested in learning more about their work. You don’t want to seem like you were daydreaming, so the more accurate your information is, the better. Including some of their remarks can help prove that you’re taking it seriously and are genuinely interested in learning more about them.
17) “I noticed you have a website that focuses on (topic).”
This is another good approach because it shows that you’ve been listening closely during the initial conversation and are not out of touch with industry standards. You don’t want to seem like you were daydreaming, so the more accurate your information is, the better. Including some of their remarks can help prove that you’re taking it seriously and are genuinely interested in learning more about what they do.
18) “I was looking for companies like yours to see how they work with (type of project).”
This demonstrates that you’re familiar with what they do and are not out of touch. You don’t want to seem like you were daydreaming, so the more accurate your information is, the better. Including some of their remarks can help prove that you’re taking it seriously and are genuinely interested in learning more about what they do.
19) “I wanted to learn more about (type of project you mentioned).”
Like some of the other examples on this list, this approach demonstrates that you know what they do and are interested in learning more about their work. You don’t want to seem like you were daydreaming, so the more accurate your information is, the better. Including some of their remarks can help prove that you’re taking it seriously and are genuinely interested in learning more about them.
20) “I’m curious if a company like yours went through a similar experience and how they overcame it.”
People appreciate being asked for advice or having someone show genuine interest in what they do. Asking a question that will help you learn more about their line of work can also be a great way to break the ice and get the conversation going.
21) “I’m curious if a company like yours uses any similar services.”
People appreciate being asked for advice or having someone show genuine interest in what they do. Asking a question that will help you learn more about their line of work can also be a great way to break the ice and get the conversation going.
22) “I’d love it if you could give me some advice on what I should look out for.”
People appreciate being asked for advice or having someone show genuine interest in what they do. Asking a question that will help you learn more about their line of work can also be a great way to break the ice and get the conversation going. If you’re looking for potential clients, this lets them know that they need advice too.
