Shawnee Love   •  
October 29, 2010

I hate receiving cold calls almost as much as I hate making them. This vehement dislike puts me in an awkward position, because it is difficult to start and grow a business on referrals or advertising alone. How do you get that first client to refer you if you don’t pick up the phone, visit their office, or put yourself in front of the potential customer?

Sales expert I am not, but here is how I get over “cold call-itis”:

1. Know what I can (and can’t) do.
2. Find businesses I think could benefit from working with my business.
3. Research each to find out who really might need Love HR.
4. See if I am in any way connected to the businesses that could use my services, and if so, ask my connections for more information.
5. Consider if what Love HR does fits the potential customer’s needs based on what I have gleaned so far about them.
6. If I have reached this stage and am convinced their business would benefit from working with Love HR, then I reach out and ask if they are willing to hear how we could help.

It doesn’t always work, but what cold call method ever does?

What do you do to grow your business?