Cold Calling and Warm Market LeadsA Traditional Way to Build your Business Much has been said about cold calling and warm market leads. For today’s internet entrepreneur, these methods may seem “old school.” While these strategies are not the focus of this website, I do want to mention them. And give a nod to all those who have used them, successfully or not. Cold Call CaseBefore the creation of the World Wide Web, an ambitious entrepreneur might attempt to peddle his wares by knocking on your door. 
While this door-to-door tactic may have worked well in the 1950's and even into the '60's, it was soon replaced with a telephone call. When you place a call to someone you don't know, in order to introduce them to your product or service, it's known as "cold calling." The name and number is most likely a purchased lead, one of a list of contact names and numbers. Whether or not they are interested in your particular product or service remains to be determined. Some entrepreneurs are able to be effective with this type of contact, although many are not. Success is dependent on two factors:
Your Warm MarketA softer version of this tactic would be to contact what is known as your "warm market." This is just another term for your friends and family. 
In this instance, you call people you know. That's a good start. During the course of the call, you introduce your product or service. In many cases, you tell them about something they probably didn't ask to hear about. This is the challenge with this type of contact. Since hopefully you are someone they know and trust, however, the door may be open just that much more. Or maybe not. Some products and services lend themselves to warm market strategies better than others. When deciding if targeting your warm market will be a part of your business plan, consider its relevance to your what you offer. And in the end. . . Always do what works best for you and your business.
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