Start up advice

albacete

Hi all,

Im working on a startup/project at the moment. This will require creating sales leads from cold (residential:business / 80:20split). Is there any company or individuals who provide training in this, or even provide that service itself so I could just outsource this part of the business. Im sure I could do it with the appropriate training, but I would prefer to concentrate on the technical side of matters and closing the sale.

Dont know if Im supposed to say this but, if there is anyone out there who could provide a days training in this, that could work. Maybe there might even be more people here interested in receiving this sort of training, make a class of it.
Any pointers appreciated. Especially on the most cost effective way of doing this.

Thanks.

antoinolachtnai

You want to make sales from cold? Like, by ringing on doorbells? Your problem here is a lot bigger than a bit of training.

I would say forget it, find a different plan. Door-to-door is fine as a supplement if you have a national marketing campaign going on and want something a bit extra, but otherwise, you are not going to get any sort of hit rate and the cost per sale will be extremely high.

Civvie

antoinolachtnai wrote: »

You want to make sales from cold? Like, by ringing on doorbells? Your problem here is a lot bigger than a bit of training.

I would say forget it, find a different plan. Door-to-door is fine as a supplement if you have a national marketing campaign going on and want something a bit extra, but otherwise, you are not going to get any sort of hit rate and the cost per sale will be extremely high.

Thanks for the response, I should have mentioned that its a very niche product, so it wouldnt be a nationwide door to door thing at all. What Im trying to find out is how to create leads, are there professionals that offer that service?
Also with the business sales. I think there are b2b companies out there, I know there is software for lead generation, but whats that about?
My simplistic answer would be ringing up the company and asking to speak to the procurement officer, and asking can I send him out a brochure, or ask him for a meeting(?). Is there any tried and trusted technique?
Does anyone have experience in this?
Thanks

qwytre

Try http://product2market.ie/

I don't know much about them other than they seem to offer the type of service you are looking for.

antoinolachtnai

This is still cold calling. Can't say it won't work, but it is tough going. If it is very niche and b2b, then you should be able to identify all the potential customers pretty quickly. Then you have to somehow get introductions to them if possible, or else ring them cold.

These programs will in my experience manage the process of getting a lead (from a marketing database, response to an ad, whatever) and then following it through. This process requires a surprising amount of bureaucracy.

Fergal C

Personally I wouldn't discount the value of all you could learn about your customers and target market, by doing the sales yourself, at least in the early stages. Potential customers will give you very helpful feedback on your products and their reasons for buying or not buying.

albacete

qwytre wrote: »

Try http://product2market.ie/

I don't know much about them other than they seem to offer the type of service you are looking for.

EXACTLY what I was looking for, thanks for that, much appreciated!

I reckon a mix of getting involved myself (to know the customers) with some professional help is probably the best route.

albacete

Fergal C wrote: »

Personally I wouldn't discount the value of all you could learn about your customers and target market, by doing the sales yourself, at least in the early stages. Potential customers will give you very helpful feedback on your products and their reasons for buying or not buying.

Very good point.
Thanks for that.