the startups.com platform about startups.comCheck out the new Startups.com - A Comprehensive Startup University
Education
Planning
Mentors
Funding
Customers
Assistants
Clarity
Categories
Business
Sales & Marketing
Funding
Product & Design
Technology
Skills & Management
Industries
Other
Business
Career Advice
Branding
Financial Consulting
Customer Engagement
Strategy
Sectors
Getting Started
Human Resources
Business Development
Legal
Other
Sales & Marketing
Social Media Marketing
Search Engine Optimization
Public Relations
Branding
Publishing
Inbound Marketing
Email Marketing
Copywriting
Growth Strategy
Search Engine Marketing
Sales & Lead Generation
Advertising
Other
Funding
Crowdfunding
Kickstarter
Venture Capital
Finance
Bootstrapping
Nonprofit
Other
Product & Design
Identity
User Experience
Lean Startup
Product Management
Metrics & Analytics
Other
Technology
WordPress
Software Development
Mobile
Ruby
CRM
Innovation
Cloud
Other
Skills & Management
Productivity
Entrepreneurship
Public Speaking
Leadership
Coaching
Other
Industries
SaaS
E-commerce
Education
Real Estate
Restaurant & Retail
Marketplaces
Nonprofit
Other
Dashboard
Browse Search
Answers
Calls
Inbox
Sign Up Log In

Loading...

Share Answer

Menu
Sales Process: Is cold mailing/calling dead?
JA
JA
John Athayde, VP of Design at CargoSense answered:

I find that for effort in vs output, it's better to spend time on cultivating referrals and if that's not an option, doing seminars or webinars on a topic. Contacting someone to say "I'm going to give you some information for free" and then following up with them is a softer pitch, but often gets past the voicemail loop.You can also look to offer these through local business organizations. Regardless of the offering, don't make it an infomercial. You're providing value for their time to see you as a subject matter expert. At the end, feel free to provide them with contact info and reach out to the attendees.

I don't know your industry, but I can speak for mine (web user experience). There's lots of things I can teach someone that they can take home and implement on their own. But as they get further in, there comes a point where they'd need expert knowledge. I want to be the first person they think of when they say "we need help."

Somewhat of a twist on the traditional sales cycle, but you're still establishing and identifying a problem that they have, and providing them with a solution that is part what you give away and part your services/product.

Talk to John Upvote • Share
•••
Share Report

Answer URL

Share Question

  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Google+
  • Share by email
About
  • How it Works
  • Success Stories
Experts
  • Become an Expert
  • Find an Expert
Answers
  • Ask a Question
  • Recent Answers
Support
  • Help
  • Terms of Service
Follow

the startups.com platform

Startups Education
Startup Planning
Access Mentors
Secure Funding
Reach Customers
Virtual Assistants

Copyright © 2025 Startups.com. All rights reserved.