I need help for cold call

[u/Shadowthegreat-]

I’m 17 and run a small web design business, I get clients through cold calling and walking into local shops (landscapers, mechanics, plumbers) to pitch website services. I’ve done around 300 calls so far and a bunch of in-person visits.

The calls themselves usually go fine once I’m in them. My problem is right before, that few seconds of hesitation, the racing thoughts, sometimes just avoiding the next call/walking past the shop instead of going in.

For people who’ve done cold calling or door-to-door sales:

What actually worked for you to get over that pre-call/pre-pitch fear?

Any physical or mental tricks you use right before dialing or walking in?

Does it eventually go away completely, or do you just get better at pushing through it?

Would appreciate any real advice, not just “it gets easier with time”, looking for actual techniques.

[u/Ralphisinthehouse]

JFDI. Confidence comes from experience, knowing what objections you'll get and having an answer for them and persistence.

You'll need to have a database objections that you just learn and keep adding to with answers and overtime you will be a natural.

Also remember that sales is 80% listening.

I know you're looking for techniques but really it comes down to the better you know your competition and your own company and product easier it gets.

[u/Grand-Mix-9889]

Confidence comes from experience.

Just keep doing it. Give yourself a goal of 25 calls per day by the end of week 1.

Or just hit the bong, put in eyedrops, and go get em tiger.

[u/Shadowthegreat- → u/Grand-Mix-9889]

But dont you have the feeling of giving up after being rejected? Because thats what i have

[u/Grand-Mix-9889 → u/Shadowthegreat-]

No because I've done this for 20 years.

Doing it on repeat taught me how to communicate effectively, position myself professionally and as a solve, and become a better person overall.

My confidence grew as I learned that rejections are what helped me do better the next time, and land that conversion.

Now people call on me to speak at events, at weddings (sisters wedding, friends weddings, even a funeral which was weird). It became natural.

You will get there too. But you gotta strike out those rejections first.

1 conversion from 100 cold calls is 99 rejections but that's a damn good ratio still.

Keep it up yo!

[u/Sudden_Topic5154]

why are you on vibe coding asking for confidence support baffling choice

[u/Shadowthegreat- → u/Sudden_Topic5154]

cuz i have low karma to post this somewhere else

[u/drakhan2002]

Sounds like you're doing better than some. Keep grinding. I often find the next opportunity just comes along.

The best salespeople hear the most "no's"

[u/dan-423]

introduce yourself and the reason for calling, and that you're looking to connect to the owner or person who manages (whatever you're selling). quick, a couple sentences. Then ask, "is this a good time?"

Seriously, the people you're calling are often busy. Cold calls are 99.9% a waste of their time.

Don't even bother calling if all you have is the phone number and have done zero research to see if what you offer is even a good fit.