How Long Should a Cold Call Pitch Be?

Written by Bradley Gamble

In 2016, Brad Gamble co-founded The Selling Factory, a Gainesville, FL-based company providing Outsourced Sales Support and Talent Placement, that’s staffed 100% by college students that take part in our Sales Apprenticeship experience. Having hired, coached, and led over 2,000 Sales Representatives and Sales Leaders over the last 25 years, Brad Gamble, the CEO of The Selling Factory, shares his thoughts on sales, entrepreneurship, company growth, and today’s job market.

Did you know that 50% of leads never get a second cold call? Cold calling is a powerful tool used by sales reps to connect with potential customers. They can help get more clients and up your game.

But how long should a cold call pitch be? In this article, we’ll explore the ideal length of a cold call pitch and share some sales tips on how to make a cold call more effective.

What is Cold Calling? 

First, it’s important to understand what a cold call pitch is. A cold call is when a sales rep contacts a potential customer who has no prior relationship with the company. A cold call pitch is the sales rep’s introduction and offer during the call.

They can be very effective in helping reach a new customer base. Even if a cold call is not effective, people know your services. This makes others more likely to share your business with other people they may know. 

How Long Should They Be? 

The length of a cold call pitch can vary depending on the situation, but generally, it should be between 30 seconds to one minute. The purpose of a cold call is to pique the interest of the potential customer and secure a follow-up meeting or call. It’s important to keep the pitch short and to the point.

While cold calling may seem intimidating or outdated, it can actually be a powerful tool for sales reps to connect with potential customers and drive revenue. 

Benefits of Cold Calls

While many people think that cold calling is outdated and doesn’t work, there still are a lot of good things about it. Here are a few benefits that comes with cold calling. 

Reach New Potential Customers

Cold calling allows you to connect with potential customers who may not have heard of your company or product before. This can expand your reach and help you tap into new markets.

Build Relationships

Cold calling provides an opportunity to start building relationships with potential customers. Even if the call doesn’t result in an immediate sale, it can help set up trust and credibility with the prospect.

Personalize Your Approach

Cold calling allows you to tailor your approach to each individual prospect. By doing your research and understanding their specific needs, you can craft a customized pitch that resonates with them.

Receive Immediate Feedback

Cold calling provides an opportunity to receive immediate feedback from potential customers. This can help you refine your pitch and identify areas for improvement.

Drive Revenue

Ultimately, the goal of cold calling is to drive revenue for your company. By connecting with potential customers and converting them into paying customers, you can increase your company’s bottom line.

While cold calling may not be the right approach for every company or product, it can be a valuable tool in the sales rep’s arsenal. By focusing on building relationships, personalizing your approach, and driving revenue, you can make the most of your cold calling efforts and achieve success in your sales routine. 

Cold Calling Tips 

When it comes to cold calling, you can do more damage to your company if you aren’t intentional, or don’t know what you are doing. Make sure that you know what you are going to say and keep it relevant. Here are a few tips you can follow for effective calls. 

Research Potential Customers Before the Call

Take some time to learn about the company or the person you are calling. This will help you tailor your pitch to their specific needs. No one want to listen to someone figure out what they are going to say, or seem like they don’t know what they are talking about. 

Practice Your Pitch

Rehearsing your pitch can help you feel more confident during the call. Try recording yourself and listening back to make improvements. This will help ease nerves, and smooth out any bumps along the way. 

End With a Call to Action

Make sure to end the call with a clear call to action, such as scheduling a follow-up meeting or call. This will prompt your customers to buy products or use your services. 

Use Open-ended Questions

Ask open-ended questions that encourage the potential customer to engage in a conversation. This can help you better understand their needs and how you can help.

Be Persistent

Not every cold call will result in a sale or even a follow-up meeting. Don’t get discouraged; be persistent in your efforts. Follow up with potential customers after the call and continue to provide value and build relationships over time.

Keep a Positive Attitude

Cold calling can be challenging, but maintaining a positive attitude can make a big difference in your success. Remember that every call is an opportunity to learn and improve your skills as a sales rep.

By incorporating these additional sales tips into your cold calling strategy, you can increase your chances of success and build strong relationships with potential customers. Remember, the key to a successful cold call pitch is to keep it short, focused on the potential customer’s needs, and always be willing to learn and improve.

Make The Best Cold Call Pitch Today

The length of the cold call pitch should be between 30 seconds and one minute. Keeping it short and to the point will increase your chances of securing a follow-up meeting or call.

By using these sales tips on how to make a cold call more effective, sales reps can improve their cold calling success rate and ultimately drive more sales for their company. Contact us at The Selling Company today for help generating leads and making calls. 

Victoria Zamitalo

Campaign Manager

Victoria received a BA in History and Economics from the University of Florida in May 2023. She is a driven sales professional with over 5 years combined experience in customer service, consumer relations and outbound sales, and is deeply passionate about fostering close relationships between consumers and sellers. She aims to train the next generation of sales professionals in not only the tricks of the trade, but also interpersonal skills that make sales the exciting and ever-changing industry that it is.

victoria@thesellingfactory.com

Mia Semel

Campaign Manager

Before graduating with a B.A. in Sustainability Studies, Mia took on multiple roles while interning at The Selling Factory, including sales development, recruiting, and leading campaigns. She is an active listener and effective communicator, specializing in fostering genuine connections and finding common ground among differing perspectives. She aims to find practical, creative solutions regarding sustainable development, biodiversity and the climate crisis.

mia.semel@thesellingfactory.com

Kira Grieve

Senior Campaign Manager

Kira graduated from the University of Florida and received her Master of Science in Entrepreneurship. She is passionate about helping businesses grow and connecting with new people. Some of her hobbies include traveling and hiking. She hopes to visit all of the National Parks one day!

kira@thesellingfactory.com

Jared Glosser

Vice President

After graduating from UF in 2014 with a B.A. in history, Jared started his professional career Fundraising for a non-partisan political lobby in South Florida. In 2016, Jared moved back to Gainesville to work for a non-profit, recruit students for international travel opportunities, and pursue his MBA at UF. Jared has been with The Selling Factory since 2019 focusing on operations, client onboarding, and client success.

jared@thesellingfactory.com

Ian Massenburg

Chief Operating Officer

A graduate of University of Florida (B.A. 2001), Ian Massenburg brings over 18 years of sales executive and sales management experience to The Selling Factory. Before coming on-board, Ian worked alongside Brad at Infinite Energy, and then spent his next 3 years as VP of Partnerships selling SaaS products B2B. Ian brings his vast knowledge and experience to the team and to our partner companies served.

ian@thesellingfactory.com

Damien Paulk

Campaign Manager

Damien is a University of Florida graduate that recently joined the team full time after working as a Sales Development Intern for one year. As a Campaign Manager, Damien looks forward to contributing to the growth and success of The Selling Factory. When Damien is not at work he enjoys exploring Gainesville with his girlfriend and dog or watching the Gators dominate college football.

damien@thesellingfactory.com

Brendan Viehman

Campaign Manager

Brendan graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Project Management. For the past 5 years, he has enjoyed working with blockchain technology and cryptocurrency development. In his free time, he surfs and makes personal finance videos for his YouTube channel.

brendan@thesellingfactory.com

Savannah Howard

Campaign Manager

A graduate from the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, Savannah obtained her Bachelor of Science in public relations with a concentration in French. After almost two years as a sales development intern for The Selling Factory, she joined the leadership team in 2021 taking on the role of Campaign Manager. In her free time, Savannah enjoys going to concerts and festivals and cooking for her friends and family.

savannah@thesellingfactory.com

Zack Kampf

Campaign Manager

Zack is a creative technologist with experience in advertising, event planning, and game design. He started as an SDR in 2018 and has been with TSF ever since. Upon graduating UF in 2019 he became a campaign manager and is currently seeking a master's degree from NYU. In his spare time, you can find him at the intersection of Art & Technology!

zack@thesellingfactory.com

Josiah Blakemore

Growth Manager

Josiah has over 10 years of sales experience, worked with Brad and Ian at Infinite Energy, and also spent time selling SaaS as Director of Partnerships at SharpSpring. He’s always been very competitive and has a love for sports and games. He enjoys solving problems and coaching team members to do the same!

josiah@thesellingfactory.com

Sue-Ming Frauenhofer

Marketing Manager

Sue-Ming received both her B.S. in Psychology and M.S. in Management from The University of Florida. As a student, she took on multiple roles while interning at The Selling Factory, including sales development, marketing, and recruiting, eventually leading to her current role as Marketing Manager. She enjoys refining her taste in music and visual art, engaging in mindfulness and meditative practices, and frolicking outside with her sidekick pup.

sueming@thesellingfactory.com

Adam Grossman

Chief Development Officer

Adam is an ordained rabbi, who has founded multiple ventures focused on workforce development. Hired as CEO by a failing non-profit, in over 5 years, his ingenuity saved the organization, which led Slingshotfund.org to recognize it as one of North America’s most innovative Jewish non-profits. His expertise to identify, cultivate, and on-board talent ensures our student teams meet our partners’ needs.

adam@thesellingfactory.com

Brad Gamble

Chief Executive Officer

After graduating from UF in 1999 with a B.S.B.A, Brad Gamble has dedicated himself to sales management, branding, coaching, and building companies. He served as the VP of Sales & Marketing for Infinite Energy until 2014, when he founded The Selling Factory. He has dedicated himself to teaching critical skills to tomorrow’s leaders, and helping companies achieve sales success and revenue growth.

brad@thesellingfactory.com