Any Advice on Cold Calling?

[DaveC]

Enko,

Lots of good advise. Persistence and practice will prevail.

However, here's a suggestion for ya, especially if you have a true aversion/phobia to cold calling and are spending your days just driving around, maybe getting out of the vehicle and finding some damaged windshields but are just "shaking" in your boots when it comes time to approach your prospective customer....

Think location, signage and tent. Make a deal with some merchant to setup a tent in a high traffic location and consistently work the location during the peak hours. This way, prospective customers will be approaching you with an expressed interest in your services. A little "gentle" persuasion/salesmanship and you'll be closing deals, making repairs and gaining more confidence in your selling abilities. During off-peak hours hang a "Out on mobile repair, be back at <whatever time> or call 867-5309 to schedule a repair" sign and go out and "Coitster," distribute flyers, etc...

Just a thought

[Coitster]

Finaly got my computer running again. Sorry I have been away guys, but I had a major computer crash. Anyway, I think the answer to this question has already been answered in this thread. I agree with Blind Squirrel in that Sales is a learned trade. Anyone who has the desire can learn to sell. I also like the way Jeremiah tells people how he was next door.

It basicly comes down to this people, the customer doesn't care how you came about into their business. If they have a chip they would like to get fixed they will be very happy you are there. In terms of the technique that I help people with not working for you. I would sit down and think very hard about what you are saying to the customer and especial (most importantly) how you are saying it. You don't need to use high pressure in chip repair. As a matter of fact if you think that you have to be a super sales person to excel at this then I think you are going to have more problems then you should have. When I talk to people I take almost an attitude of I don't care when I talk to them.
David
Coitster

[Jeremiahswindshieldrepair]

Coitster, That is the atitude of a great salesman though .. salesmanship isn't flashy words and big closes .. it's simplicity and devestment. if you are too heavily invested in THIS chip needing to be repaired it looks desperate and people get turned off. All great salespeople are natural ... just like they are telling a friend about a chip in their car that you are going to fix just because they are a good friend of yours. People want a couple things as far as I can tell ... first they want to know why you were prowling their car so that they are comfortable with you .. second they want to know you are an honest person, very few people will do business with you if they do not think you are honest ... second they want to know that you are competent, having a good smooth presentation can convey a large amount of competence to a person, third and equally as important they want a good value, not price but value, if you can make fixing the chip cost less than not fixing the chip in a real tangible way then you have a much better shot at a sale.