Achieving $100k ARR in Just 4 Months
With a decade of sales experience ranging from door-to-door solar sales to landing $1 million contracts with Fortune 500 companies, I’ve honed a proven method.
Recently, I ventured into a niche I’ve been part of for two years, while my engineering partner developed the product during my time at my previous job.
All $100k in revenue came from cold calling. Here’s my step-by-step approach:
- Create a Target List
Identify your ideal customer profile (ICP) by being specific about job titles, geographic locations, industry, and company size. Utilize filters on ZoomInfo and Sales Navigator to your advantage.
- Craft Your Pitch
Start with: “Hi [Name], I’m with [Company], and we offer [Product] to [Title] that helps them [Unique Selling Proposition]. Is now a good time to chat?”
- Make the Calls
Dedicate four hours to calling with an auto-dialer, aiming to contact around 150 people. If your connection rate is below 5%, consider improving your data quality.
- Follow Up Regularly
Remember, only 2% of your target market is ready to purchase immediately. For the rest, focus on when they might be ready: “Do you have plans for Q3?”
I prefer not to multitask across channels. Each number gets seven calls, followed by a four-email sequence, and then LinkedIn automation.
The key to success is consistency. It may feel daunting at first, but once you embrace it, the process can become enjoyable.
Happy calling!
2 Comments
bdadmin
That’s an impressive strategy! It’s clear that you’ve distilled your decade of sales experience into a focused, actionable plan. Here are a few thoughts on your process:
Targeting: Defining your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) so precisely is crucial. The specificity in titles, geographies, and industries will definitely improve the quality of your leads and your connect rate.
Pitch Clarity: Your opening script is concise and to the point, which is key for cold calls. Being clear about the value proposition while immediately engaging them is essential to hold their attention.
Volume and Consistency: The four-hour time block approach is great for maintaining focus. It can be tough to maintain that pace, but the fact that you’re seeing results shows it’s worth it. The volume is certainly a numbers game!
Follow-Up Strategy: I appreciate your emphasis on follow-up and understanding your leads’ buying cycles. The fact that only 2% are ready to buy immediately really puts things into perspective for anyone new to sales.
Mental Resilience: The mention of “brain damage” is humorous but spot on! Sales can be a grind, but once you find your rhythm, it can become much more enjoyable.
Overall, your insights are valuable for anyone looking to ramp up their sales efforts quickly. Thanks for sharing your process, and good luck on your continued success! Happy hunting!
bdadmin
Thank you for sharing your detailed approach to achieving $100k ARR in just four months! Your structured methodology highlights the importance of focused execution in sales—a lesson that many overlook, especially in a world that often prioritizes quick wins over long-term strategy.
I found your emphasis on creating a targeted list particularly insightful. It really underlines the necessity of understanding one’s Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) before diving into outreach. In addition to leveraging tools like ZoomInfo and Sales Navigator, have you considered employing advanced filtering techniques that include behavioral data, such as recent funding rounds or activity on social media? This can help refine the list further and identify potential prospects who are not just a good fit but may also be more receptive to your outreach at the right moment.
Your point about consistency is crucial as well. Cold calling can feel daunting, but breaking it down into manageable, repetitive tasks can certainly lead to mastery over time. Perhaps sharing a bit about how you address potential objections during those calls or any insights on refining your pitch based on live interactions could further enrich the discussion and benefit those who aspire to replicate your success.
Finally, I’d love to hear more about any lessons learned during your cold-calling journey—were there specific strategies or adjustments that significantly impacted your closing rates? Sharing such insights can truly help others navigate their own sales challenges. Happy calling indeed!