The Gen AI Sales Prompt Series: What are 5 specific strategies to make B2B cold calls more effective

AI Editors, Sales 3.0 Conference

A black phone with a black phone cord.

For the prompt, What are 5 specific strategies to make B2B cold calls more effective, we put three leading Gen AI Chatbots to the test. If you’re using another chatbot, put yours to the test!

Result Comparisons

Chat GPT

  1. Personalize Your Approach 
    • Research the Prospect: Before calling, learn about the company and the individual’s role. Use tools like LinkedIn or the company website to gather relevant details.
    • Tailored Value Proposition: Address the prospect’s pain points and explain how your solution aligns with their specific needs.
    • Mention Relevant Triggers: Reference recent news about their company or industry trends to show you’re informed and engaged.
  2. Establish Credibility Quickly 
    • Use Social Proof: Mention recognizable clients, case studies, or metrics that validate your offering.
    • Name-Dropping (when appropriate): If referred, start the conversation with that connection to build trust.
    • Industry Expertise: Position yourself as an advisor, not just a salesperson, by offering insights or addressing key challenges in their industry. 
  3. Create a Strong Opening
    • Be Direct and Clear: Avoid scripts that feel rigid. Begin with an engaging, conversational tone.
    • Example: “Hi [Name], I’ve been researching [Company] and noticed you’re focused on [specific challenge]. I’d love to share how [Your Company] has helped similar businesses solve this.” 
    • Ask Permission: A simple “Is now a good time to chat for a minute?” can lower defenses and create a collaborative atmosphere.
  4. Focus on Listening and Asking Questions
    • Open-Ended Questions: Ask questions that prompt detailed responses, such as “What’s your biggest challenge with [X] currently?”
    • Active Listening: Take notes and acknowledge their responses to show you’re engaged.
    • Avoid Over-Pitching: Shift the conversation toward understanding their needs rather than pushing your solution immediately. 
  5. Follow Up Strategically
    • Send Personalized Follow-Ups: After the call, summarize the discussion in an email with additional resources or next steps.
    • Set Clear Expectations: End the call with a clear plan, such as scheduling a demo, sending materials, or setting a follow-up meeting.
    • Use Multi-Channel Approaches: If you didn’t connect on the first call, follow up with an email or LinkedIn message referencing the attempted outreach. 

Claude

  1. Research-Based Personalization
    • Look up recent company news, leadership changes, or expansion plans.
    • Reference specific pain points in their industry.
    • Mention mutual connections or shared LinkedIn network members.
    • Study their competitors to understand market positioning.
  2. Two-Sentence Opening Hook
    • First sentence: Your name, company, and a relevant credential.
    • Second sentence: A specific business result you’ve achieved for a similar company
    • Example: “Hi John, this is Sarah from OptimizePro. We recently helped Company X reduce their procurement costs by 32% in 90 days.”
  3. Pattern-Interrupt Questions
    • Ask unexpected questions that break the typical cold call script.
    • Focus on their business processes rather than your product
    • Example: “What’s the biggest obstacle preventing you from automating your inventory management right now?
  4. Time-Block Scheduling
    • Call decision-makers before 9 AM or after 5 PM when gatekeepers are absent.
    • Focus on Tuesday-Thursday when people are most receptive.
    • Use time zone differences strategically for international calls.
    • Avoid common meeting times (top of the hour, half-hour marks).
  5. Value-Based Follow-Up System
    • Send a valuable resource within 1 hour of the call (industry report, case study).
    • Schedule three follow-up touches within 72 hours.
    • Use multiple channels (email, LinkedIn, voicemail).
    • Reference specific points from your conversation in each follow-up.

Microsoft Copilot

  1. Research and Personalize: Before making the call, do thorough research on the company and the person you’re calling. Understand their pain points, recent achievements, and industry trends. This allows you to tailor your message to resonate with their specific needs.
  2. Craft a Strong Opening: The first few seconds of a call are crucial. Start with a compelling opening that grabs attention. Mention a mutual connection, reference a recent company achievement, or bring up a relevant industry topic to establish immediate rapport.
  3. Value Proposition Focus: Clearly articulate the unique value your product or service offers. Focus on how it can solve their problems or improve their operations. Avoid generic pitches and instead highlight specific benefits relevant to their business.
  4. Active Listening: Engage in active listening throughout the call. Pay close attention to their responses and ask follow-up questions that show genuine interest in their needs. This builds trust and helps you better understand their challenges.
  5. Follow-Up Strategy: Have a solid follow-up plan. After the call, send a personalized email summarizing key points discussed and next steps. Schedule follow-up calls or meetings to keep the conversation going and move closer to a decision.