Whew, I'm glad someone else said it! I was just about to ask something very similar.
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Free registration at the forum removes this block.http://www.geordiewardman.com/post/54386031922/top-idea-extraction-questionsMaybe this sounds too much like me asking you to hold my hand but I'm gonna ask anyways... OK, so I cold call XYZ funeral home and say what? Understand if you don't answer and Im not looking for a script (well, maybe a little bit).
You know they are all just shaking their heads saying "bunch of freakin rookies". LOL.Whew, I'm glad someone else said it! I was just about to ask something very similar.
I don't care, CRUCIFY ME!!! HahahaYou know they are all just shaking their heads saying "bunch of freakin rookies". LOL.
Hey! That's freakin' awesome!!! Thanks for posting that!!!!!
Very nice and Thank You. rep+
Thanks for replying. I appreciate your time and insight.That link is pretty cool. I wish I had that when I started out cold calling businesses in 2012.
If there's anything I'd add, it's to remember that the person on the other end of the phone is a human. Don't act like a robot by throwing questions at them like a grocery store checklist.
Also, pay attention to the fact that this call should really happen in 3 stages.
Stage 1- Sharing Ice Cream On The Playground. This is where you establish credibility and rapport. You talk to the other person like a warm friend instead of a cold news reporter. Don't jump straight into a list of questions, they'll mentally exit the convo if you do that. Pay attention to your tone of voice to soften them up and talk to them like a friend on the playground. Skip this stage and you will struggle to find the real problems that the other person has.
Stage 2- Digging For Gold. After they're in ice cream playground mode, THEN you drill them with the hard questions. This is 50% science and 50% art because some questions will build off of the other person’s responses, but you will learn how to quickly and skillfully adjust with their flow if you are crazy enough to fail a bunch of times. Failure is the foundation of success...unless you're Jack and you win on your first biz.
Stage 3- Helping Your Ice Cream Friend Find A Solution. After the pain(s) have been identified, both of you should walk through the process of finding a solution. Once this solution is found there will be so much rapport between you two that it will be far easier to pre-sell a prototype later on. But before creating a prototype, you must interview more people from your pipeline in order to make sure that many people are experiencing the same pain. Validate. Validate. Validate.
Actually, Im not really scared of cold calling. But, I want to make sure I am genuine. I don't want to waste their most valuable thing - time. You know what I mean? Thanks for the interaction.My man KLaw, let me tell you this. This whole thing with cold calling people is intimidating to think about. Fear is in your face and doubt starts creeping in. What if they hate me? What if they think I'm bothering them? What if I fail?
Have you ever thought about something for hours? Hours turned into days then days turned into weeks before you finally took action.
Then you finally took action you realized holy shnykies that was not only easier than you thought, but it was also fun too.
Yea, that's what this is.
You're going to make me rep bank broke if you keep posting stuff like this!That link is pretty cool. I wish I had that when I started out cold calling businesses in 2012.
If there's anything I'd add, it's to remember that the person on the other end of the phone is a human. Don't act like a robot by throwing questions at them like a grocery store checklist.
Also, pay attention to the fact that this call should really happen in 3 stages.
Stage 1- Sharing Ice Cream On The Playground. This is where you establish credibility and rapport. You talk to the other person like a warm friend instead of a cold news reporter. Don't jump straight into a list of questions, they'll mentally exit the convo if you do that. Pay attention to your tone of voice to soften them up and talk to them like a friend on the playground. Skip this stage and you will struggle to find the real problems that the other person has.
Stage 2- Digging For Gold. After they're in ice cream playground mode, THEN you drill them with the hard questions. This is 50% science and 50% art because some questions will build off of the other person’s responses, but you will learn how to quickly and skillfully adjust with their flow if you are crazy enough to fail a bunch of times. Failure is the foundation of success...unless you're Jack and you win on your first biz.
Stage 3- Helping Your Ice Cream Friend Find A Solution. After the pain(s) have been identified, both of you should walk through the process of finding a solution. Once this solution is found there will be so much rapport between you two that it will be far easier to pre-sell a prototype later on. But before creating a prototype, you must interview more people from your pipeline in order to make sure that many people are experiencing the same pain. Validate. Validate. Validate.
Sharing is caring!Ive compiled a list of questions for Jack. But for some reason it just doesn't feel right. I don't want to blast him with a bunch of questions. I want to get to know Jack and hopefully build a relationship. Hmmmm. Im conflicted.
PM me and I will call you today. I'm no Jack Edwards, but I get the feeling you want to talk to someone before you speak with Jack. we should be able to put your mind at ease for your Jack call.Ive compiled a list of questions for Jack. But for some reason it just doesn't feel right. I don't want to blast him with a bunch of questions. I want to get to know Jack and hopefully build a relationship. Hmmmm. Im conflicted.
I second this. I got some seriously mind expanding in advice on dealing with investors and raising money.One thing I would add in somewhere is a little time talking about investors, unless you are planning to bootstrap your future endeavor.
to early still sort of. I'm in the middle of validating an idea, and the people I'm talking to in order to validate the idea, could potentially make great investors. but I'm not asking for money yet.@HarryR have you started to implement any yet, or are you still too early?
One thing I would add in somewhere is a little time talking about investors, unless you are planning to bootstrap your future endeavor.
Beautiful words of wisdom!When I spoke with Jack he basically stated this: "money is everywhere, investors want to invest, lambo club people want to be the shark tank." So go out and find people who have money, don't go find them and ask for money, just get to know them. Then when you have a fundable plan, start asking them if they know anyone who would be interested in investing.
BUT. you gotta show that you can turn money into more money, either through experience, history, or a very compelling (researched) plan. (notice I'm not saying idea.)
@zen******* has repeatedly stated that he start relationships with interested investors 6-9 months before he would ask them for actual money. Then when the time comes he presents an investment opportunity.
Also, Jack showed me that I'm a pussy because I'm afraid to ask friends and family for cash. This means I have no confidence in myself or my plan. Lack of confidence stops forward progress. Research, prepare, act, do. No analysis paralysis in search of a million $ roadmap.
Nope, you just have to deal with it. I get cold calls every day while in the middle of very important shit! You will get through to a very small percentage but that comes with the program.Wow, that last line is them being assholes!!!!
money is everywhere, investors want to invest, lambo club people want to be the shark tank." So go out and find people who have money, don't go find them and ask for money, just get to know them. Then when you have a fundable plan, start asking them if they know anyone who would be interested in investing.
Nope. No cold calls yet. Right or wrong, I feel that is so 1980's. I think it is rude and does take away from their biz time. Be respectful and find another way to dig deep and find their pains. Your thoughts? Thanks.Wow...great thread guys. Much appreciated !
@KLaw ... Make any cold calls yet ? I made a some for an investor I'm working for and I've gotta say..I SUCK ! yea, that's how I felt yesterday. I was verifying information on painting companies..phone..email..contact person. These are leads the investor has so he wants to weed out the bad ones...then get back with them and ask them register on his website.
I tried 2 different strategies and I still sucked. Now I'm pissed....so I'll call more. I found everyone I spoke with to be very, very busy..many of the businesses are small, family operations. I also had 2 people tell me they get solicitation emails and phone calls daily and that it takes away from their business and customers.
Let me know how it goes for you.
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