How often did you say “umm” or “you know” on your last outbound sales call? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
Every outbound sales calling newbie has been there. Take it from top-performing SDR, Nikita Solberg,
“‘My very first cold call – I was probably crying! It definitely had a lot of “ums,” definitely had a lot of “I don’t know what to say next.”’
So, how do you tackle this? With outbound sales calls script samples! After all, when a whopping 57% of C-suite executives prefer phone calls over other channels of communication, you can’t afford to go wrong with them. These nifty little guides help you stay focused, eloquent, and confident during your sales outreach, ensuring you get more meetings booked.
Here are 10 outbound sales call script samples that will help you get your foot in the door.
1. Referral Outbound Sales Call Script
Outbound sales calls are cold. You’re essentially contacting a stranger, and they will naturally be a little hostile or, at the very least, guarded about what you’re offering.
But mentioning a mutual connection reduces the strangeness of cold calls. Your prospect will be more open to listening to someone who is reaching out to them through someone they already know, rather than a complete stranger.
This can amp up your meeting bookings by 70%, helping you close deals faster.
Let’s look at an outbound referral call script example when you’re reaching out through a referral.
Outbound Sales Call Script Sample for Referral Calls
Hi {prospect},
This is {name} from {company name}.
{referral} suggested I give you a call. We’ve helped them integrate our solution to improve their sales management, and they’ve seen some great results. Is this a good time to speak?
(Prospect says yes)
Awesome. I’d like to start by getting to know your needs a little better and see what we can do to help you. Does that work?
(Prospect says yes)
Great, firstly {prospect} I’d like to know… (continue the conversation)
Why Is This Outbound Call Script Effective?
- The SDR mentions the referral right at the beginning to grab the prospect’s attention.
- They highlight the referral’s pain point and specify what their offering brings to the table.
- They aim to understand the prospect’s pain point instead of jumping right in to pitch their product.
2. Crafting an Engaging Voicemail Script
Let’s be honest. How often do you actually pick up the phone when a random number pops on the screen? If someone really wanted to reach you, wouldn’t they drop a text instead?
Your prospects feel the same way. So, chances are you’re going to speak to more recording machines than real, breathing people. This is why you must have the perfect outbound call script optimized for voicemail.
But what goes into a voicemail outbound call script? For starters, they must be short (you’ve got only 30 seconds to make your case). Next, it should give the prospect all the necessary details without revealing too much. And lastly, drop your contact details. How else will they get back to you?
Let’s put theory to the test and look at our next outbound sales call script sample.
Outbound Sales Call Script Sample When Dropping a Voicemail:
Hi {prospect},
I’m {name] from {company name}.
I just read your recent post on LinkedIn about {pain point}. I think we can help. We’ve just seen great results working with {competitor}. Call me back at {contact number}, and we can discuss how we can do the same for you!
Again, this is {name}, from {company name}, {contact number}.
Why Is This Outbound Call Script Effective?
- The SDR personalizes the call by mentioning the LinkedIn post and casually name-drops a competitor to make it hyper-relevant to the prospect.
- They bring up the fact that their solution has actually worked wonders for a similar company, leveraging social proof to convince them.
- They repeat their name, company, and number at the end to emphasize the call back. Why? Because your prospect might not bother replaying the voicemail to get details. So, throwing in a quick reminder gives them another shot at scribbling down your contact information.
3. Outbound Sales Call Script Sample for Voicemail Follow-up
So, you personalized your voicemail, stuck to the script, and left a quick reminder. But there’s no word from the prospect. Is it time to close the lid on this lead? Not quite so.
Persistence is key in outbound sales calls. Your prospects are busy people who haven’t sought you out. And so, it’s only natural that they might not be too eager to chat with you. But, take inspiration from Celine Dion, and go on.
Here’s an outbound sales call script sample for voicemail follow-up.
Outbound Sales Call Script Sample When Following Up on Voicemail:
Hi {prospect},
This is {name} from {company name}. I can’t seem to catch you! Hopefully, this time’s a charm. Anyway, I’m following up on the message I left you on {previous voicemail date}. I was hoping we could connect and discuss how our solution can help you tackle {pain point} better.
Let's hop on a quick chat to discuss more. Here's my number {contact number}. Again, it's {name} with {company name} calling from {contact number}.
Why Is This Outbound Call Script Effective?
- The SDR uses humor to connect with the prospect without guilt-tripping them for not returning their call.
- They don’t repeat everything from the first voicemail and get to the point right away.
- It is a good example of an outbound call closing script as the SDR ends with a CTA, giving the prospect different options to reach out to them.
4. Script for Setting Appointments
In the world of outbound sales, scoring appointments is the golden ticket to success. It's the moment when you transform a mere conversation into a valuable opportunity. But this highly depends on your prospect’s buying intent. How close are they to making a decision?
If they’ve just started researching, getting them to book an appointment might be the fastest way to lose them. Alternatively, if they’re desperate for a solution or are ready to see your product in action, a request for a meeting is exactly what they want to hear.
So, you need to be mindful of where your prospect stands. And that’s what makes this outbound sales call script sample so crucial.
Let’s look at what an optimized outbound cold calling script looks like.
Outbound Sales Call Script Sample for Setting Appointments:
Hi {prospect}
This is {name} from {company}. I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time.
(Prospect says no)
Great, So I noticed you left a review on G2 about your current {solution} provider. It seems you were not able to achieve {desired result} because of {problem they were facing with the competitor}. Am I right?
(Prospect says yes)
Hmm, I see. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve heard it. Many of our customers who migrated from {competitor} faced the same issue. So, how are you dealing with {pain point} right now? Are you looking for a new tool?
(Prospect opens up about their current process and states that they are actively looking for a tool)
In that case, would you mind checking out Klenty?
(Prospect says sure)
Perfect! See, I am not sure about your requirements yet, but I can tell one thing for sure, you won’t have trouble with {specific problem they were facing with the competitor} ever again. What else are you expecting from your new tool?
(Ask qualifying questions)
Why Is This Outbound Call Script Effective?
- The SDR shows they have researched the prospect, establishing credibility and building trust.
- They allow the prospect to vent their frustration and use it to learn more about their concerns.
- They end the call on a positive note by promising the prospect will never face a negative experience with them.
5. Promotional Outbound Call Script
Promotional outbound call scripts are a great way to build hype and get your prospect’s attention with limited-time offers. No one wants to miss out on a deal that gets them more for less. Not to forget, it can help you build FOMO. Convince your prospect they’re going to miss out on something that their competitors might benefit from, and you’ve got their ear.
Our next outbound sales call script sample shows you how you can make promotional sales calls and take your prospect further down the sales funnel.
Outbound Sales Call Script Sample for Promotional Calls:
Hi {prospect},
I’m {name} from {company name}. I’m just calling you out of the blue but congrats on your promotion as the new VP of Sales of {company}. I hope it is a good time to talk.
(Prospect says yes)
Awesome. So, {prospect} now that you are the VP of Sales, how are you planning to handle {task} at {company}? I’m sure you would like to shake things up a bit. Have you thought about using a {tool} for {process}?
(Prospect says yes)
Awesome! So we’re a {specific industry} enterprise that helps businesses drive their sales with our {solution}.
We’ve seen great response from our current clients. And I figured as the new VP of sales, you might be interested to explore {solution} for your team.
But before we jump into the details, why don’t you tell me about the challenges you’re facing so I can be sure I’m not wasting your time.
(Prospect shares their pain points)
Awesome! We’re right on track. {Explain how your solution can help.} And there’s more. We’re offering {discount/deal} on {solution}. This can be a game-changer for your business at this price and could help you drive {business metric} through the roof. We helped {competitor} with a similar situation and generated impressive results.
But don’t worry. I’m not all talk and no walk. If you could share your email, I’ll send you the details about the deal, and we can work from there.
(Prospect says yes, shares details, and the conversation continues)
Why Is This Outbound Call Script Effective?
- The SDR opens the call with a quick introduction and cleverly asks if it’s a good time to talk.
- They congratulate the prospect on their recent promotion, showing they’ve read up on the prospect and mean business.
- They build urgency about the deal but acknowledge that these decisions need further deliberation and ask for the prospect’s email to share them.
6. Outbound Call Script To Get Past the Gatekeeper
Reaching your prospect is not always a breeze. Sometimes, you might have a hurdle in the form of a gatekeeper.
Prospects might have someone to filter their calls and restrict access to them. These could be receptionists, personal assistants, or junior staff.
And since your goal is to reach the decision-making prospect, you need to know how to effectively maneuver around them.
So, how do you get past the gatekeeper and get to your prospect? With this killer sales call script example.
Outbound Sales Call Script Sample When Faced With a Gatekeeper:
Hi/Good morning/Good evening,
I am {name} from {company}. May I know who I’m speaking to?
(Gatekeeper responds)
Hi {gatekeeper name}, I was hoping to get in touch with the {specific designation} of your company. Could you tell me who that would be?
(Gatekeeper responds with prospect name)
Great, I’d really appreciate it if you could connect me to {prospect}.
Scenario 1: Gatekeeper connects you with the prospect.
Hi {prospect}, I’m {name} from {company}… (conversation continues)
That’s the best-case scenario. But more often than not, it’s the next scripts you’ll have to employ to make your way to the decision-making prospect.
Joel Thomas, a top-performing SDR at Almabase, says,
“I feel that we shouldn’t be disingenuous, you shouldn’t tell them lies because they can see through that. It’s their entire job to keep salespeople out.”
Further, he advises SDRs should build a rapport with the gatekeeper, after all, they decide whether you get an audience with the king. You need to convince them to get into the hall.
“Eventually, they’ll sort of at least drop a message with your decision-maker”
Now, let’s see how you can tackle gatekeepers effectively.
Scenario 2: Gatekeeper can’t connect you.
Oh, all right. May I know when would be the right time to call {prospect name}?
(Gatekeeper shares information)
Great, thanks a lot {gatekeeper}. I’ll leave my contact information with you and reach out to {prospect} at {specific time} tomorrow. Have a great day!
Why Is This Outbound Call Script Effective?
- It starts out by gaining information on the gatekeeper and their role in helping you connect with the decision-making prospect.
- It helps you build a rapport with the gatekeeper, increasing the chances of gaining access to the prospect, or at least, being remembered, the next time you call.
- It maintains a professional, respectful tone throughout the conversation. This way, you leave a positive impression on the gatekeeper, making them more likely to pass on your message to the prospect.
7. Sales Discovery Outbound Sales Call Script
The purpose of a sales discovery call is to gather all the nitty-gritty about the lead. Sure, you might have some lead scoring and basic information about them, but this call is all about understanding how they think, what they are struggling with, and how best you can pitch to them.
The trick is to ask as many leading questions as you can. If you ask yes/no questions, you’ll only learn one thing from them. But if you ask open-ended questions like- “What are your top challenges right now”, you’re making them talk and gaining insight into how they think, their priorities, and most importantly, what’s going to get them in the bag.
But everything has a process. And before you get to leading questions, you need to break the ice. And that’s best done with right/wrong questions. Let us explain.
Try asking your prospect questions like- “I believe you’re using {specific company} CRM. Am I right?”.
Questions like this show you’ve done your homework and open routes for you to steer the conversation to.
Let’s look at an outbound sales call script sample that can help you learn more about your lead.
Outbound Sales Call Script Sample for A Discovery Call:
Hi {Prospect}, this is {name} with { COMPANY}. Did I catch you at a bad time?
(Prospect says no)
I know I’m calling out of the blue, but I was researching {COMPANY NAME} and noticed that you handled {specific task} at {company}. As an outsider looking in, it seems like a big challenge right now is {PAIN POINT}. Is this something your team is focused on?
At {YOUR COMPANY}, we help customers like {SIMILAR COMPANY} solve {PAIN POINT} by {HIGH LEVEL VALUE PROP}. Does it make sense for me to give you more detail about how we do that?
It sounds like it might be worth scheduling a call so we can provide more context on how we can support your team to achieve {DESIRED STATE/OUTCOME/ RESULTS}. How does {DATE/TIME} work for you?
Great, do you have your calendar in front of you? Perfect, I’ll send the invitation now, did you get it yet?
Why Is This Outbound Call Script Effective?
- The SDR gives a one-line summary of why they’re calling and then takes the prospect’s permission to continue.
- They show they’ve done their research by mentioning a common challenge other users of a particular solution are facing.
- It gets the ball rolling by first enquiring into the challenges faced by the prospect before selling the offering.
8. Warm Outbound Sales Call Script Sample
Taking a multi-channel approach helps you stay on your prospect’s mind and helps nurture interest, and trust to eventually book a meeting with you.
And so outbound sales calls may not always be the first time you’re contacting your prospect. You could have shot them an email, met them at an event, or even reached out on social media previously.
And so, these calls are no longer cold. They already know a bit about you, what you’re offering, and how it can help them. But they’re yet to act on it.
So these outbound call scripts are slightly different from others on this list. Let’s take a look at how you can take your prospect forward with a warm outbound sales call script sample.
Outbound Sales Call Script Sample for A Warm Call:
Hi Robert, it's Amelia with iCandy. Does that name ring a bell?
(The prospect responds with a yes or no, depending on whether they've noticed your email.)
Yeah, I had sent you an email this Wednesday about how optimizing {process}
could increase your {results} by {metric} in under {time frame}.
I thought I'd reach out to you and see if you are interested in hearing more about that. Do you have a minute?
If "Yes"
Before I tell you more about our solutions, shall I ask you a few questions to better understand your situation?
If "yes"
Why Is This Outbound Sales Call Script Example Effective?
- The email uses the email as a segue to get to the reason for the call instead of guilt tripping them for not reading.
- It asks permission at each point to ensure the prospect is interested and on the same page with you.
- It focuses on qualifying the prospect before pitching.
9. Post-Interaction Call Script
You’ve had a successful appointment, conducted a demo, and everything is on track. But your prospect seems to be hesitating, or at the very least, taking it slower than you’d like. What’s to be done?
You need to be tactful in approaching them and nudging them forward. After all, hurrying your prospect can jeopardize everything you’ve achieved so far.
Further, ensure you have an understanding tone and avoid guilt-tripping your prospect. Making them feel as if they didn’t hold up their end of the bargain is only going to leave a sour taste in their mouth.
Here’s an outbound sales call script sample to help.
Post-Interaction Outbound Sales Call Script Sample:
Hi {prospect},
I’m {name} from {company name}. You might remember me from {previous interaction} on {date}. How have you been?
(Prospect responds)
That’s good to hear. So, I’m calling today to take things forward essentially. Based on our last interaction, I believe {solution} could really bring you the results you’re looking for. I wanted to check if there has been any change of plans at your end.
Scenario 1: Prospect says yes
Oh, could you tell me more?
(Prospect responds, and the conversation continues)
Scenario 2: Prospect says no
In that case, we’re offering a limited-time deal on {solution}. You could avail this offer this week itself!
(Prospect responds, and the conversation continues)
Why Is This Outbound Call Script Effective?
- It offers a quick, brief introduction to jog the prospect’s memory and remind them of their past interactions.
- Instead of being pushy, the SDR tries to understand what’s holding them back.
- It establishes FOMO with a ‘limited-time offer’ to nudge the prospect further down the sales funnel.
10. Outbound Sales Call Script Sample for the Last Attempt
Not all prospects will convert. You already know that. But if you’re hanging onto a prospect with little to no hope, you’re wasting time and effort you could have otherwise spent on more hopeful leads.
So, if you've been chasing the prospect for months with no response, here's a final-attempt call script sample to determine if it’s time to let them go.
Final Attempt Outbound Sales Call Script Sample for Voicemail:
Hi {prospect}
This is {name} from {company name}. I’ve left a couple of messages with you over the past few days and haven’t heard back. I understand you’re busy and might have missed them. So, I thought of reaching out once more.
Based on {previous interaction/research}, I believe we can help you tackle {pain point}. If you’re sceptical, I’d be glad to schedule a demo and answer any questions you might have.
You can reach me on {contact number} whenever you find the time. Looking forward to hearing from you. Have a great day! Again, it’s {name} from {company name}.
Why Is This Outbound Call Script Example Effective?
- It acknowledges that the prospect might be too busy to get back to the SDR without offending them.
- It attempts to understand the prospect by suggesting they might be sceptical, but their doubts can be cleared.
- By ending the call with their name and company name, the SDR repeats their details to ensure the prospect remembers them.
Boost Your Outbound Sales Calls With Klenty
These 10 outbound sales call scripts are just your jumping-off points. After all, you know your prospects best. So go ahead and tweak, edit, or even rewrite these outbound sales call script examples to suit your target audience better.
But wait, there’s more. These effective outbound call scripts can help your sales team amp up their sales calling game. But to make the most of your outbound calling efforts, it’s time to bring in a multi-channel outbound sales software like Klenty.
Its one-click dialer helps sales reps make calls directly from the browser and the call notes facility allows them to jot down important notes instantly. SDRs can now rest assured that they retain all information from calls while saving time and effort.
Further, its call reporting feature lets you measure your team’s performance and gain valuable insights into your operations.
So, perfect your outbound call scripts with these samples and watch the graph shoot upwards with Klenty.
Resources You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you write an outbound call script?
- Include a solid opener.
- Ask your prospect leading questions and not yes/no questions.
- Thank the prospect for their time at the end of the outbound sales call.
How do I start an outbound sales call?
- Hi, this is {name} from {company name}, You might remember me from {previous interaction} on {date}. How have you been?
- Hi {prospect name}, its {name}, from {company name} Can I have your attention for a moment to share something awesome?
Further, the best call opening script for outbound calls will give space for the prospect to answer before getting into the meat of the matter.
What is an outbound call script?
The best outbound sales script must be crafted by taking into account the brand voice, tone, and target audience. Outbound call scripts help SDRs:
- avoid mistakes, stick to the agenda, and stay on track.
- tackle sales objections better.
- Maintain a consistent pitch, portraying the company in a better light.
- accelerate the training process, by offering new recruits a framework for outbound sales calls.
What is the best script for a sales call?
What do you say at the beginning of a sales call?
- Hi, this is {name} from {company name}, do you have a minute to chat?
- Hi, its {name} from {company name}, could you help me out?
- Hi, its {name}, from {company name}, am I crashing a meeting?