What's the Best Method for Gaining New Prospects: Cold Calling vs Cold Emails vs Mailing a Personalized Letter?

I believe the correct answer is "All of the Above". Every person is different. If you have a broad demographic of potential customers, you will be dealing with many different personality types. One person will be attracted by your letter, while another prefers emails. One person will be quick to shut you down over the phone and the next will be open to listening to what you have to offer. Follow-up is the key! Send 20 personal letters. Follow-up 10 days later with a phone call. Follow-up 3 days later with an email. If they don't respond to one method, then they may to another...and in the course of these 3 (or more) contacts, they will begin to feel more connected to your name/brand. Simply sending out 20 personal letters will likely result in zero sales. Put in the extra effort and you will see results.

All three are considered outbound marketing (interruption-based marketing). I would suggest making the transition to inbound marketing. Be the magnet.

Cold calling WITH cold email. Cold call will undoubtedly go to VM. Leave a nice message explaining how you want to help this person and tell them you'll follow up with an email.

Email them and mention the VM. Again, tell them that you want to help them (with whatever it is you do). And provide them a link to some free info that pertains to it.

This is actually pretty effective.

depends on what you are trying to sell or market.  If you are selling a service that you know that that company can utilize to ease their pain than first a phone call, than sell your self and schedule an appointment.  If you believe that the client is interested in your services than start sending monthly emails not just about what you can offer but about certain things involving his industry safety issues, tax right offs, and than third a small item with your logo on it.  

know if you are selling basic commodities and price 7-10 of the time is the issue not you.  So don't give up or get down on yourself  if a client says no. Its not you that they are saying no to its the company due to them finding a better option.  

Relationships are the best way to build your buisness and cliental by after a job well done ask them if they have anyone they can refer you to.  Its hard at first asking but it sure works quit well. 

Here is the real question to answer, What method would work if it was you that was the marketing target? I know for myself cold emails I don't see (after the invention of the spam folder, no one does. Check that one off.

Mailing a personalized letter? This could work if you don't inadvertently rub them the wrong way buy making an innocent, but incorrect assumption (simply put, you just don't know the person you are writing to(so be-careful of what you say or how you say it;-) A letter is a great way if a mutual "friend" or associate recommends you to connect and I feel would be a great choice if you have that "in".

Cold Calls, hum... dicey way to go, just ask yourself who whats to get one? And if you reach them on there cell phone, who is going to be in the mood to speak to you? (More than likely they will say some nasty stuff to you before hanging up and blocking you). I personally will sometimes take a more targeted cold call (in that the party calling specifically knows I need their product/service. "hay I was driving past your nice home but noticed that broken gutter..."

Bottom line, there is no "better" method, it is up to you to utilize all methods and tools/technologies to be in-front of your target when they need your product/service. This is the 21st century filled with things like Facebook, Twitter, Google and Instagram. With legacy radio, TV, cable, magazine/ print media still connecting consumers with seller/providers there have never been more methods to utilize. I guess we move with the times and try to know and use them all and we will learn that the funeral director and the surf shop will have different success with each. It is up to us to always ask that new customer, "how did you find us?" .

Happy marketing and selling ! _g mcallister

The proper balance of cold calling vs cold emails vs direct mailing a personalized letter depends strongly on the complexity and/or cost of the products and services offering of your business. If the products and services exceed $1500 and or the explanation to gain a meaningful understanding, to a purchase decision, means a more direct approach is required. Generally speaking cold calling and cold emailing based upon my C-Level management engagements are ineffective. The noise level across Social Media is too high and resolute in a lot of deletes without ever being read.

Joint the Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Rotary Club to begin a network to allow members to know you personally and your unique differentiators you can provide to anyone who may be needing your services. Also, have a web site highlighting your services and differentiators and implement an active Social Media program to gain brand recognition.

my opinion is, is just like school. You can be the prettiest person in the world, but if your name is not known around the campus, you could be just a pretty face among many, your name slash your brand is what's going to get you out there within the city. Join form like I'm doing this way. What happens, I.E. Big companies, They have their menu,Jack in the Box versus McDonald's you know the menus, one day you want jack in the box , next day you want McDonald's, its their brand that will separate them. Be separate from the competition on whatever you do this way you can grow as an individual, you might look like the competition, but in the people's eye you will be different.

I am a firm believer in personalized letters. It gives the customer the time and space they need to consider your services.

Cold calling is old and can get annoying. Cold emails can garner attention if it is short and most effective. Personalized letters gets opened and eyeballed and usually tossed aside until the specific need arises to find that letter again. The best method would be cold emails and word of mouth.