Cold Openers That Actually Start Conversations
May 20, 2025
Sales is fcking hard. Let’s get good.*
The Problem: You’re Talking Before They’re Listening
Most cold calls fail in the first 7 seconds. Not because your pitch is wrong, but because you haven’t earned the right to give one.
Your opener decides whether:
The prospect gives you space
Or mentally checks out before you’ve finished your name
Here’s what most reps are still using:
“Hi, is this Sarah? How are you? I’ll just be really quick, I’m calling from…”
This doesn’t build trust. It triggers defence.
Cold calling is interruption by definition. Your first line needs to earn attention, not demand it.
For Sales Reps: You’ve Got 7 Seconds, Use Them Properly
Your opener’s job is simple:
Lower the prospect’s resistance
Create enough relevance or curiosity to earn another 30 seconds
Below are three openers that actually work in the real world.
1. Permission-Based Opener
“Hi Sarah, I know this is a bit out of the blue. Can I take 20 seconds to explain why I’m calling, and you can decide if we keep chatting?”
Why it works:
Gives the prospect control
Sounds human, not scripted
Opens space for a real conversation
2. Relevance Hook
“Hi Sarah, I saw you're expanding your SDR team. I work with early-stage sales teams on improving rep ramp time. Can I share how that works?”
Why it works:
Shows you’ve done your homework
Connects directly to something current
Frames your offer as potentially helpful, not random
3. Honest Icebreaker
“Hi Sarah. I’m guessing you weren’t hoping for a cold call right now… but can I make this worth your time?”
Why it works:
Honest, disarming
Acknowledges the interruption
Replaces awkwardness with empathy
Your task this week:
Write down five new opener variations. Use two per day in your calls. After each one, rate it:
Did the prospect let me talk?
Did they sound guarded or open?
Would I respond to that line?
End your week by keeping the two that worked best. Replace the others. Keep iterating.
If your opener doesn’t start conversations, it’s not doing its job.
For Sales Leaders: Most Reps Lose the Call Before the Pitch Begins
You can't coach conversion if you’re not coaching how the call begins.
The first 10 seconds matter more than the next two minutes. Here's how to help your team fix it:
1. Make openers a regular coaching item
In your next team meeting, have each rep bring:
One opener they used that got shut down
One that earned them 30 seconds of airtime
Break them down. What tone did they use? What words worked? Was the opener relevant or just polite?
2. Create an opener wall
Build a shared doc or Slack thread of tested cold openers. Make it dynamic, not static. Let the team vote and comment on which ones are converting.
3. Review opener performance, not just outcomes
If a rep has low cold connect-to-conversation rates, start at the very beginning. The opener might be the issue.
This week’s task:
Pick one coaching session or call block to focus entirely on opener quality. Listen to a few recordings and ask:
Is this opening line specific?
Is it disarming or generic?
Does it make you want to hear more?
Small tweaks in the first sentence can lead to big changes in meetings booked.
This Week’s Sponsor: [Prospeo.io]
[Sponsor Product] helps sales teams simplify cold outreach with proven frameworks, automation tools, and follow-up sequences.
If your cold calls are hitting voicemail more than conversations, it’s worth a look.