I wish this wasn’t a “pro” tip.   Should be obvious by now to “don’t do things that you hate when people call you.”

And we have all had enough “Hello <mispronounced name> this is <someone you have never heard of.  How are you” calls to know it’s a telemarketer.    So, stop doing that!

In this book, Schiffman put forth a pretty solid formula.   And part of that is stating the reason for the call right away and up-front.   As in:

My name is Duane Kaye and the reason for my call today is because I have a blog that is teaching other sales professionals on how to be great and I want to show you how to be smarter……

Or

This is Duane Kaye at WTMS Mortgage and the reason for my call today is that I’m meeting with <known competitor in their area> about how to get pretty much all of the customers approved.   So I will be in your area <day> between <time> and <time>.  Which would be a better time to show you what we are doing <time> or <time>?

Or

This is Duane Kaye with WTMS credit repair and I’m showing <competitor> how to dramatically increase service and production by offering credit repair.   It’s doing great things for their business, and will for yours too.   And the reason for my call today is that I will be in your area <day> between <time> and <time>.  Which would be a better time to show you what we are doing <time> or <time>?