Your thoughts on "cold approaches"

I do cold approaches all the time. My service is a business to business transaction though and when I go in cold it almost always to a business. I have gotten clients standing in line places. I'm not sure about approaching some one cold on a coaching or counselling subject. Its easy not to take my services personal. Art T.

I'ld still say don't be afraid of the cold approach. You just have to find a tackfull way to do it. Art T.

Hi Debbie,

Would you say that the interlocution you overheard was spoken in quiet confidence or boldly enough that anyone in earshot would have heard it? I can certainly relate to your decision not to just march up to a stranger, yet I can't help but think the body language of the individual could make all the difference. Did he seem to be opening up to the world at large? If I were in a cafe and spoke loudly enough table neighbors could hear-- suppose I was mentioning trouble with my car or computer-- and a person who overheard me had an answer, I wouldn't be offended if they approached with consideration and genuine interest. I'd bet everyone has gotten some good advice by good luck. If it was a more intimate setting, any intrusion would put me on guard.

You seem like someone who wouldn't march at him with a biz card in hand, saying "Call me." Any gracious approach that is others-centered and not self-centered would be socially acceptable. A cautious way to reach out might be writing a salient quote on a note and handing it to him, as a random act of kindness. Lead to business? Well... maybe. Couldn't hurt: you miss 100% of the shots you don't make.

It's a cold approach when you approach someone you don't know anything about and ask them to buy your services.

In this case, he's told you indirectly about his needs. It would be appropriate to mention that you overheard him and that some of your clients have similar issues and the way they solved them was to do X or Y.

That gives him the information that might help him as well as furthering the conversation by saying "Thank you. What do you do?" And then you get to give him your 30-60 second elevator pitch tailored to his situation.

When people are in a very public space with many others around them, they don't have the right to expect privacy.

If they want "privacy", they need to keep their voices down or converse in a less public setting like the booth or a private table in a restaurant.

Debbie,

The key to making a warm approach is you never say in 25 words or less about what you do for them (sales approach) but how your clients have faced similar issues (giving them a reason to ask you what you do) and what they did to address the issue. Another is to ask them what they define by their term "meaningful job."

"I couldn't help overhearing you mention how you want a more "meaningful job." I was wondering how do you define that term?"

Or

"I couldn't help overhearing your mentioning your struggles with your current employer. I was wondering what an ideal job would be in your mind."

Both are open ended. Don't worry about what people will think.

KG

Hi Debbie,

Some of the best conversations are started by simply turning to a person, smiling, and nodding your head like you understand them. This also lets them know you heard what they said.

Once you have their eye contact, you could then say something about overhearing a bit of their conversation, but I'd be apt to ask them questions like, "May I ask what you do?" "What is it that you don't like about it?" "What would you rather be doing?"

This is about him, his problems, his needs and people like talking about themselves and these questions can then lead into a full-fledged conversation.

I often think business people are too quick to tell about what they can do for you, and hand out their business cards, before asking enough questions.

As you converse, you can see if it's an appropriate next step to offer your card with a comment like, "I work with people all the time to help them find more meaningful work, would you like my business card?" I always get a much better response from strangers when I ask them to decide if they want my card...or not.

If it feels comfortable to talk with someone, do so. If it feels awkward, then don't. Follow your feelings, that's why we have them. Happy Talking!