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Cold call openers that say who you are and why you call
Thirty opening lines sorted by situation. Fill in the square brackets, read them aloud, and practise the one you will actually use. None of them pretends you know the person or invents a reason to call.
What every opener here does
- It names you and your company in the first sentence, so the person knows who is calling.
- It gives the real reason for the call and asks for a moment of time instead of pretending to be a friend.
- It makes it easy to say no. If the answer is no, you thank the person and end the call.
Filter by situation
Shown: 30 of 30
B2B cold call
Plain and direct
Hello [Name], this is [Your name] from [Company]. I am calling out of the blue, so I will be brief: we help [type of company] with [one specific problem]. Do you have a minute, or should I call another time?
Why it works: Admits the call is unexpected and offers a way out.
B2B cold call
Permission first
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. We have not spoken before. May I take thirty seconds to say why I am calling, and you tell me if it is worth your time?
Why it works: The person decides, so there is less pressure to hang up.
B2B cold call
Right person check
Hello, this is [Your name] from [Company]. I am trying to find who looks after [area, for example supplier contracts] at [their company]. Is that you, or could you point me to the right person?
Why it works: Honest about not knowing who to ask. Gatekeepers tend to help.
B2B cold call
Reason from public information
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. I read on your website that you [fact taken from their site]. That is why I am calling: we work on [related topic]. Is this a good moment for a short question?
Why it works: Use only a fact you really read, and say where you read it.
B2B cold call
Question-led
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. One quick question and then I will let you go: how do you currently handle [task]? I am asking because we work on that, and I would like to know if it is a problem for you at all.
Why it works: Allows the honest answer that it is not a problem.
B2B cold call
Busy decision-maker
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. I know you are busy, so here is the one-sentence version: we [what you do] for [type of company]. If that is not relevant, tell me and I will not take more of your time.
Why it works: One sentence, then a clear exit.
B2B cold call
Gatekeeper opener
Good morning, [Your name] from [Company]. I would like to speak to [Name or role] about [topic]. It is a sales call, so if there is a better way or time to reach them, I am happy to follow that.
Why it works: Says plainly that it is a sales call.
B2B cold call
Relevance check
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. I will be honest, this is a cold call. We [one-line offer]. I do not know whether it fits [their company], so may I ask two short questions to find out?
Why it works: Treats the call as a fit check, not a pitch.
B2B cold call
Voicemail
Hello [Name], this is [Your name] from [Company], phone [number]. I am calling about [one-line reason]. If it is useful, call me back, and if not, no problem. Again, [Your name], [number].
Why it works: Short, repeats the number, makes no false urgency.
Follow-up
After a first meeting
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. We met on [date] about [topic]. I said I would call after you had a look at [material]. Is now a good time to talk about what you thought?
Why it works: Refers to a real agreement, not an invented one.
Follow-up
After a sent proposal
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. I sent you the proposal on [date]. I am calling to check whether it arrived and whether you have questions. No pressure on the decision.
Why it works: Checks arrival and questions, does not push.
Follow-up
After no reply to an email
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. I wrote to you on [date] about [topic] and did not hear back, which is completely fine. Is this still something you want to look at, or should I close it on my side?
Why it works: Gives permission to say no and close the topic.
Follow-up
Promised callback
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. You asked me to call back in [month or week]. Is this still a good time, or would another day suit you better?
Why it works: Keeps the promise and respects the person's calendar.
Follow-up
After a demo or trial
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. You tried [product or demo] last week. I would like to hear what worked and what did not, including anything that was not useful. Do you have five minutes?
Why it works: Asks for honest feedback, including negative.
Follow-up
Something changed on your side
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. When we spoke on [date], you said [reason for waiting]. I wanted to ask whether that has changed. If not, I will check back later or not at all, as you prefer.
Why it works: Uses what the person actually said.
Follow-up
Second voicemail
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company] again. I left a message on [date] about [topic]. If this is not a priority, a short reply is enough and I will stop calling. My number is [number].
Why it works: Offers a way to stop the follow-ups.
Referral
Referrer allowed the name
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. [Referrer] suggested that I contact you about [topic] and said I could mention their name. We have not spoken before, so is it all right if I tell you why I am calling?
Why it works: Names the referrer only with their permission.
Referral
Consent before the pitch
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. [Referrer] gave me your number. Before I say anything more, are you happy for me to continue this call?
Why it works: Asks for consent before saying anything about the offer.
Referral
Where the number came from
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. I have your number from [Referrer], who agreed to pass it on. If you would rather I did not call, tell me now and I will delete it.
Why it works: Answers the obvious question before it is asked.
Referral
Referral without overselling
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. [Referrer] and I worked together on [topic], and they thought you might have a similar need. I do not know if you do, so may I ask a couple of questions?
Why it works: Does not claim the referrer endorsed more than they did.
Referral
Asking a client for a referral
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. Thank you again for [what you did together]. One question, and a no is fine: do you know someone who has [the same problem] and would not mind a call from me?
Why it works: A no is explicitly fine. Nothing is shared without the client's say.
Referral
Referrer is unreachable
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. [Referrer] said you might be the right person for [topic], but I was not able to confirm with them that I may use their name. May I explain what I do and you tell me if it is relevant?
Why it works: Does not name someone whose permission is unconfirmed, and says so.
Referral
Introduction by email first
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. [Referrer] sent you an introduction email on [date]. I am following up as agreed. Did it reach you, and is this a convenient moment?
Why it works: Only for an introduction that really was sent.
Inbound lead
Form submitted
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. You filled in our form on [date] asking about [topic], so I am calling to help. Is now a good time, or when would suit you?
Why it works: Reason is real: they asked.
Inbound lead
Downloaded a guide
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. You downloaded [guide] from us on [date]. I am calling to ask whether it was useful and whether you have questions. If you would rather not be called, tell me and I will note it.
Why it works: Does not pretend the download means they want to buy.
Inbound lead
Trial sign-up
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. You signed up for [trial] on [date]. I would like to make sure you can get started. Is there anything blocking you?
Why it works: Helps first, sells second.
Inbound lead
Missed call back
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. I am returning your call from [time]. What can I help with?
Why it works: Short and answers their call.
Inbound lead
Pricing request
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. You asked for pricing on [date]. So that I send the right numbers, may I ask two quick questions about what you need?
Why it works: Explains why the questions are needed.
Inbound lead
Late reply to an enquiry
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. You contacted us on [date] and I am sorry we did not get back to you sooner. Is this still something you need?
Why it works: Owns the delay and allows that the need may be gone.
Inbound lead
Event or webinar contact
Hello [Name], [Your name] from [Company]. We met at [event] and you left your details at our stand. I am calling as I said I would. Do you have a few minutes?
Why it works: Only for people who really agreed to be contacted.
Say it out loud before you dial
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