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The most successful people I know are on the phone all the time. However, I don't know if they would want to talk to strangers about something unrelated to the
by startupdiscuss 9y ago
The most successful people I know are on the phone all the time.
However, I don't know if they would want to talk to strangers about something unrelated to their business.
- maxxxxx 9y agoObviously you have to make sure that what you are talking about is relevant to their business.
- startupdiscuss 9y agoI'll give an example. I know someone who really wants to make products abroad cheaply and sell them in the united states. I think -- I haven't talked to him in years -- that he would love to receive a call that says "Can you supply me with [insert product]? Can you get it delivered at X for $Y?" I doubt -- although I don't know -- that he would listen to "What are your biggest problems? Do you have a tough time with finances or sales?"
- maxxxxx 9y ago" doubt -- although I don't know -- that he would listen to "What are your biggest problems? Do you have a tough time with finances or sales?" That's a self serving way to open that offers no value to the person you are calling. You may ask "how about procedure xxx? How is that going?" and then expand from there. It's a skill most programmers don't have. I know a guy who can chat up pretty much anybody and get a deep conversation with them and what's going on in their business. I don't have that skill but I know it's incredibly valuable.
- ams6110 9y agoI'm not particularly good at it, but it seems that the trick is to be attuned to what the other person starts talking about, and pursue that, possibly feigning deep interest until you uncover something that might be actionable. Edit: of course it helps to be at least passably familiar with the person's business so that you don't have to use a totally generic opening.
- maxxxxx 9y agoI guess in the end you need to enjoy talking (like most people seem to do). I personally hate it :-(