VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[todd ellis]

agreed.

most importantly try ... something.
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"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

[Deirdre]

I think it's important to understand your limitations even while you broaden out your possibilities.

I wouldn't recommend Todd's approach across the board. It's not something I would try, myself!
Todd obviously has the charm necessary to finesse his way from the CEO to the correct person. I would turn into mashed telephone turnips if I started at the top.
My tried and true method is via the back door, making contact with the techies associated with the work. It's not as immediate as calling from the top down— but it does tend to make "relationships" that last. An engineer or audio geek will remember me whatever company he's working for.

I may be wrong, but I'll bet Todd's brazen method works for him because he invented it.
However it came about, confidence is crucial.
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DBCooperVO.com
IMDB

[Rob Ellis]

The key to cold calling in IMHO is to just do it, like Brother (or is it Cuz'n)Todd said....for me it's easy to get mired down in the details, so I just spend a minimum of an hour a day on the phone to generate new business, period.

Generally, at the start of that hour it is the very last thing that I feel like doing. And at the end of the hour I'm cookin.
This has always been the case for me, regardless of what I'm selling.

[CarynClark]

I just want to say, this is a great thread. Thanks!
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Caryn Clark... The Hip Chick Voice!

"A positive mental attitude and having faith in your ability is quite different from being irresponsible and downright stupid." - Dave

[todd ellis]

i did not invent it - but i did learn it from the guy who did, (at least i THINK he did) a former CEO of a fairly large technology company. i used to teach a class on it to CSRs & telemarketers. in a former life i worked in an arena where i had most of my dealings with CEO, COO & CFO types. big boats, lotsa golf ... you kind of learn the lingo as you hang around. suffice to say - a sense of urgency is key, as is an assumed familiarity with the boss. for example i would say: "good morning, this is todd ellis with audio image marketing i need to speak with bob, please." i have already taken away the gatekeeper's first two questions. (1) who are you, (2) what company are you with. the only thing she has left to ask is "may i ask what this is regarding?" to which i would say, "sure," (almost perturbed) "i'm the president of audio image marketing, and i need to speak with bob about an up & coming voice talent i thought he like to know about. would you please (a little more pressing) put me through?" MOST of the time i get through. i NEVER leave a voicemail with this person - but i will press "0" to get back to the receptionist to tell her something must have gone wrong because i got bob's voicemail instead of bob. i've even had the receptionist page the CEO - you could tell she was about to poop - but she did it. and i talked to him & set an appointment with his underling - the decision maker. another great way to get directly to the boss is to call before 8am or after 5pm. bosses get in early and stay late.

this is not for everyone. it does, however, work for me ... most of the time.

i also use this technique when calling to complain about service - or if i want something special from a company - free shipping, bulk pricing ... whatever.
_________________
"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?