20 Cold Calling Scripts To Change Your Sales Game

Cold calling is hard. It’s time-consuming and filled with rejection. And if you reach the right lead, you’ll have very few precious moments to explain the value of your option to them properly. So, we compiled over 20 cold calling scripts to help you and your team be as effective as possible when cold calling.

With these templates, you can start your own scripts, improve your existing ones, and refresh your techniques.

20+ Best Cold Calling Scripts and Examples

Here are the best cold-calling scripts to solve all your needs.

1. Basic cold calling template

This very simple template by MarketMeGood is the perfect start to any cold call. It focuses on the tone and types of words you should be using while keeping it short and sweet. You can easily adapt this very simple template to your business needs, and it works well as a go-to cold call template.

Why it works

The template’s main focus is gathering lots of information while using fewer questions. You can use the template and adapt it to your company’s needs (and to the customer profile you’re targeting). 

Change the template with the right prospecting questions to make it work for your company. Then add the right process for each positive or negative answer.

Best for:

Any company needs a simple, adaptable cold calling template.

2. Setting up a meeting

The best way to sell something is by pitching in person. This cold-calling script from Sales Outsourcing Service allows you to turn a phone conversation into an in-person meeting.

Why it works

This cold calling script is made to transform your phone contact into a face-to-face meeting via the fewest number of lines possible. With it, you’re telling your prospect that you value their time. So you’re asking them to schedule a better time for you to sell them your product.

While you sacrifice some time, you’d be using to qualify the lead, you’re gaining a lot more by getting your foot in the door. That way, you don’t have to depend on your Business Development Representatives to close the sale during the initial contact. Instead, you can move that responsibility to a specialized salesperson. 

Best for:

Companies selling locally with a strong qualification process before the first contact.

3. Customizing your cold calling script in Word

If you’re looking for an option that just pops up in Word to start right away, HubSpot has the perfect solution.

Why it works:

HubSpot provides great value for salespeople, and this template is no exception. It goes through every step of your cold call—from your introduction to an appointment to finish the sale. And it shows you how to use as few words as possible.

You can also use each step to write your cold calling scripts right on the template.

Best for:

Companies looking for a full, simple, and effective template.

4. Getting to the decision-maker

Reaching the right person is far easier with this simple template by SalesMate. It helps you create a connection with the person you’re reaching, and it can help you reach the right lead.

Why it works

In most cases, your call must go through at least one person before getting to the decision-maker. You’ll have to deal with the secretary, the assistant, or another subordinate of the person you need to reach.

The best way to navigate this process is by connecting with the person you’re talking to and making them an ally instead of an obstacle.

This simple template helps you establish a connection and become memorable to the gatekeeper, which may even prompt them to follow up with the decision-maker about the call.

Best for:

Salespeople reach leads in large companies or decision-makers in upper management.

5. Establishing a cold call process

Developing a great cold call is more than just crafting the right words before picking up the phone. That’s why Ryan Stewart urges people to “steal” this cold call process template.

Why it works

This template goes beyond the traditional script and tells you where you’re at in the sales process. It also shows you the script you should follow—from start to finish.

With it, your sales team can easily identify where they’re at with a lead and know how to proceed. It can help them collaborate with each other while they keep their selling goal in mind.

Best for:

Salespeople looking for a script for every part of the sales process.

6. Reaching referrals

The best way to find new customers is through referrals. This cold calling script by Fit Small Business lets you acknowledge how you acquired their information in a simple and organic way. If you want to build a specific structure and not necessarily read or follow your script word for word, you can use a smart and free sales & cold calling script generator.

Why it works

Referrals are incredibly effective and should be treated as top priorities. As you can see, this script puts the referral at the top of the call after just a small introduction.

The quicker you can let your leads know who referred them to you, the easier it’ll be for them to open up to you. 

This script can also easily let you bypass gatekeepers since you’re letting them know this isn’t just any sales call. Rather, his call has already been approved by someone else.

Best for:

Any sales call from referrals when letting them know about the referral is of utter importance.

7. Approaching a crisis like COVID-19

Many companies have already adapted to the COVID crisis in order to be able to survive it. The focus of this script by Just Call is approaching leads tactfully during this (or any other) crisis. 

Why it works

Any crisis creates opportunities. However, cold calling a business trying to survive a crisis to sell them something can be a terrible approach—if it’s not handled correctly.

This script helps you tactfully approach your leads and navigate through their potential objections. With it, you can position your product as the solution they’re looking for. Instead of yet another expense, they should cut from the budget.

To make it work, do your homework and figure out what your leads’ needs are during your call.

Best for:

Businesses looking to position their products into a solution during a crisis.

8. Scheduling a demo presentation

If the point of your call is to schedule a demo, this script by Rise Fuel will help you get there as quickly as possible.

Why it works

This script focuses on one thing: to get a meeting scheduled as quickly as possible. Doing your research beforehand can quickly turn your cold call into a meeting, where you navigate a sales process more effectively than with a phone call.

With this script, you’ll not only focus on getting the meeting, you’ll also show your respect for their time. 

Best for:

B2B companies are looking for great B2B sales calling scripts focused on demo meeting sales.

9. Getting to the boss

Eventual Millionaire gives you a great little sales call script to help you get to the boss immediately.

Why it works

Asking to “talk to the manager” can be associated with negative feelings. This sales script helps you connect with the person answering the call. 

By asking for a favor, you also mentally prepare them to help you get to the right decision-maker.

Best for:

Scouting phone calls when you don’t have all of the information before cold calling.

10. Perfecting your openings

Looking to personalize your calls? These small openings for cold calling scripts by Keap help you connect with your leads immediately. 

Why it works

You’ve done your research, so why not show it? You can start your call by building rapport with your lead by finding common ground. That way, they’ll be more relaxed and open to hearing your solution.

When using these personalized openings, pay close attention to your tone. Make it as friendly as possible to avoid sounding threatening or unpleasant.

Best for:

Businesses with strong lead research.

11. Qualifying from the start

One of the best sales strategies is to qualify your prospects properly. This script by Fit Small Business helps you gather as much information about a lead as possible during the cold call.

Why it works

Gathering information is time-consuming; the last thing anyone wants is to spend a long time on an unplanned phone call.

This cold-calling script lets you gather as much information as possible about the lead in an organic way, which saves you and your lead valuable time.

Best for

Salespeople who aren’t sure if their leads are qualified to complete the purchase. 

12. Providing value right away

If you want to let your leads know how much value they can get from your solution, Run Mags has a great phone call script to handle without sounding pretentious.

Why it works

Sometimes, the best use of time (for you and your leads) is to let them know immediately how your solution can help them. This script allows you to frame your dive into the value your solution has as a way of saving your prospect’s time.

Best for:

Sales teams with a lot of leads and little time.

13. Making your solution sound unique

If you want to be memorable, this script by Sales Outsourcing Service is the perfect way to create rareness around your product.

Why it works

Making your solution sound rare and unique will captivate your prospect’s attention faster and hold it longer.

This call script helps you create a sense of discovery and keep your leads listening to your words.

Best for:

Companies with an attractive feature or offer on a product.

14. Pitching special offers

Speaking of special offers, Just Call has the best way of pitching them while avoiding sounding “spammy.” 

Why it works

You’re used to seeing many spam emails offering savings, and your leads are, too. So you need to pitch your offers correctly, separating them from something that sounds like it belongs in the spam folder.

This script helps you leverage discounts and offers by using them as tools to close sales instead of the typical marketing pitch.

Best for:

Businesses with attractive and temporary offers.

15. Getting a callback

The “Can I call you back” response is usually the polite version of “I’m not interested.” This script by Salesmate is great at giving you a second chance.

Why it works

Charlie Cook suggests that cold calling has a success rate of only 2%. The best way to avoid failure is by preparing for it. This short script can help you change a polite, negative answer into a yes by acknowledging that it’s a rejection and asking for just two minutes of their time.

If your prospect is still on the phone after you reply, they’ll most likely give you a couple of minutes to finish your pitch.

Best for:

Sales teams with a high rejection rate looking to reach their sales quotas.

16. Identifying their pain points

Once you have your lead’s attention, Lucidpress helps you reach their pain points in order to position your product as their solution.

Why it works

Usually, the main reason why you’d reject a sales call is that you don’t want someone to sell you something you don’t need.

By starting off with your lead’s pain points, you can let them express where they’re having trouble. This tactic lets you qualify them and find the solution that fits them best. And since you’re listening to them tell you where they’re having issues, they’ll most likely listen to your proposal to solve them.

Best for:

Businesses looking to qualify and solve specific problems through a single phone call.

17. Using social proof

If you don’t have referrals, this script by G2 Track for using social proof is a great way of gaining your lead’s trust. 

Why it works

Using social proof, you’re telling your leads they aren’t the only ones experiencing problems, but they could join other people in solving them.

Social proof is a great way to gain your lead’s trust and show them why your solution works.

Best for:

Companies with high-profile customers or customers the lead may already know.

18. Responding to “I don’t have time”

This simple script by Pipedrive lets you handle the most common roadblock in sales: “I don’t have time.”

Why it works

You spark their interest by acknowledging the prospect’s feelings and letting them know how other people have said the same thing and changed their minds.

After all, if someone else changed their mind, maybe they could use two minutes to find out why.

Best for:

Sales teams selling solutions with high rejection rates.

19. Handling rejection

The most common result of every cold call is rejection. Salesmate has this great script to help you find more leads when your prospect is sure not to buy.

Why it works

If rejection is the common response, you need to find a way to use it to your advantage. By asking for referrals after you see the cold call is about to fail, you can get valuable insight on someone willing to pick up the phone and talk about your product or service out of what would otherwise be a waste of time.

And if you don’t get anything, it’s not like you’re risking something by asking for it. 

Best for:

Any call after the lead is sure not to buy.

20. Leaving a voicemail

Sometimes, you may not get to speak to anyone. Pipedrive has a great script from Bob Bentz that will help you leave a voicemail that converts into a callback.

Why it works

This voicemail gives your prospect all the information they need to qualify themselves and call back if they’re interested in hearing more.

If you can get a prospect to pick up the phone and call back, your chances of converting them increase exponentially.

Best for:

Any cold call that isn’t picked up.

21. Following up with your voicemail

Finally, Pipedrive also helps you follow up on your voicemail in the same style. 

Why it works

Sometimes, prospects want to call you back, but they forget. And other times, their needs change between the voicemail and the follow-up call.

By keeping it short, you use as little time as possible to determine whether your prospect hasn’t called you back due to an external issue or simple disinterest. 

Best for:

Is anyone looking to follow up on a voicemail as quickly as possible while keeping the door open to a sale?

Anatomy of a Cold Calling Script: Best Practices

When making cold calls, always keep these 5 best practices in mind:

1. Help your prospect feel safe

No one wants to get caught off-guard by a sales call. Most people would rather finish a call early than let it go on too long and waste their time.

Helping them feel safe during the call will warm them up to your solution and make them likelier to listen to your sales pitch.

2. Do your research

Your prospect may not know you, but you should know them. Gathering as much information as possible about your prospect can help you identify potential roadblocks and pain points. It can also help you build common ground and treat them more like actual people than just a lead.

Apply it today:

A strong qualifying process is the best way to learn from your leads. However, this tactic may be time-consuming, and it may not be scalable for multiple leads. Get detailed profiles with UpLead and download a highly-targeted phone number list.

UpLead offers you great profiles that can flesh out your leads to your team, even if they’ve never seen them. And it can help them know who they’re about to call as quickly as possible.

3. Practice your script

The last thing you want is to sound like you’re reading from a script when you call someone, even if that’s exactly what you’re doing. This practice will immediately turn your leads off and reveal a sense of unprofessionalism.

4. Review calls periodically

You need to listen to their calls to ensure your team is performing well. This practice can help you identify common bottlenecks and help your teammates improve on valuable insights.

5. Build a strategy

To get the best results, you need to plan for it. Build strategies to circumvent common obstacles (like rejection and gatekeepers), and have a clear sales process for your prospects.

Cold Calling Scripts: Conclusion

Cold calling isn’t always easy. But with these scripts, you’ll be more prepared than ever to make your calls as effective as possible. To make sure you’re getting the most out of your sales calls, check out our cold calling tips.