Can Twitter kill off Cold Calling

Posted on by Mark

Many moons ago, I worked at a company where I physically dreaded 10am and 2pm. Why I hear you ask? Because those were the times, when I had to start cold calling people. And yes, being very frank, I hated every minute of it. The thought of calling total strangers and desparately trying to get past the gatekeeper, secretary, or the person whose job it seemed was just to stop people like me getting through to anyone was on some days unbearable.

So, could Twitter help with this? Could it help you get through to the right people, the decision makers? Absolutely it can.

Firstly you need to identify the companies that you want to target. Then utilise http://tweepsearch.com to find people. This free website will help you to track down those people that work at the companies you are interested in contacting. Once you have found them, you simply start a conversation with them. Now, please dont message them about work. At this stage, they are strangers, and will probably ignore you.

Once in a conversation, get to know them, and build up a rapport. In time with this sort of approach, you stand a good chance of having a chat with them about your service or product. Whether or not they buy from you, is down to your skills, but at least you have had a chance to speak to the right person who can actually make a decision.

Now, of course I am not suggesting that you abandon your cold calling, but you may want to think about how you could utilise Twitter to certainly help with this. Twitter, can allow you to access ceo’s, chief execs, finance directors, HR managers, and so on. They are all on Twitter, and can be easily found, but more importantly, there is no gatekeeper in front of them stopping you talking to them. Just be social….

Let me know what you think. Have you used Twitter to get access to people that you could not get hold of any other way? Please feel free to comment below.

  • http://www.garydickenson.com Gary Dickenson

    Good informative post Mark. I don’t know about you but I think bios are really scrutinised these days and so before someone starts this exercise they should try and cloak (sorry can’t think of a better word) what it is they do in their bio for 3 reasons.

    1 You don’t really want to push what it is you do via your bio or you might get written off as someone who’s simply being nice to get a sale.

    2. It gives a reason for the other person to ask you ‘By the way what is it you do ?’ and it becomes part of a natural conversation.

    3. You can use that precious space in your bio to tell people more about yourself, talking points etc.

  • http://www.markshaw.biz Mark

    Thanks Gary. I always tell clients that Twitter allows you to tell us who you are, not just what you do. The bio to me, needs to do 3 things.. 1) what is your expertise, 2) how do you help people, and 3) as much personal info as you would like to share…

  • http://www.associatesgroup.co.uk Pauleen

    Anyone who has to cold call (even if they enjoy it) as part of their daily routine will be looking for a new ‘in’ and if Twitter can offer this and I know it can then they will use it. The problem is that too many people don’t understand Twitter or how to use it so probably don’t use it instead of or along with, cold calling.

    Nothing will kill off cold calling because it has advantages (if you are good at it) that Twitter may not have but anything new like Twitter that allows ‘getting past the gatekeeper’ an easier ride will be the choice of many who have to cold call and hate it!

  • http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com Deborah Mason

    Twitter should be seen as another tool within the sales and marketing mix.

    I have successfully used Twitter to gain a valuable connection within a large organisation that has led onto a collaboration.

    But I agree Mark, that it doesn’t replace cold calling and you just can’t wade in and make contact immediately through a connection on Twitter.. You need to build a rapport and sociable presence and only once you have achieved this can you begin to talk about your product and service and how you might work with your Twitter contact.

  • http://www.markshaw.biz Mark

    Thanks Deborah for your comments.. and yes totally agree with you..

  • http://www.marcwatches.co.uk Mark Luton

    I was as at a networking business breakfast (www.4networking.biz) this morning and there was a presentation on the very subject of cold calling.

    I will foward this to those who attended.

    Anything that can make cold calling less of a nightmare can only help.

    Thanks,

    Mark Luton