Appointment Setting Killers

I've had one too many incoming sales calls recently where sales people would try and set an appointment with using a line similar to this: "....I'd like to set up an appointment with you so I can learn a little bit about you and your company to see if there is anything we do that might be of benefit to you..."

OMG! If you are using a similar opening line when you are making your prospecting calls, STOP!

There's this thing called the Internet - and on the Internet there are "websites" that will tell you about me, my company and from there, you should predetermine what it is that you MAY be able to do for me before ever calling me.

Why on earth would I set an appointment with someone I've never met, don't know just so they can drill me with probing questions in hope that they might find something that they can sell me?

A far better way is to do your pre-call planning and then create an opening statement that creates interest, and not resistance. Your appointment setting success rate would double easily. Ok. I'm done ranting now.