Get involved

So you feel like you have cold called called EVERYONE.  (thats another problem, but not for today) and you have no idea where a new lead is going to come from.  You sit at your desk, or youre in your car and pondering this exact question.  Where is the next one going to come from?

I suggest getting involved in the community.  Thats right volunteer.  It doesn't really matter where as long as you have some connection or tie to it.  If your boss works with the boy scouts, but you have zero interest in camping, then pick something else.  There are lots of organizations that are looking for reliable help.  The jobs are not glamourous, but thats not the point.

You will start mixing in with people you dont normally see.  Through the good work you are doing you will develop trust and new relationships.  Its amazing the percentage of the time that you will end up finding someone who knows someone and will put you in contact.

I suggest going with something you really believe in, but if you are doing this purely for sales reasons, get on linked-in and find the 2 or 3 people of the targets you want to land, and then see if they list any particular volunteer activities or hobbies.  Then by working in that direction, you might find a connection to the individual.  Like I said before though, its most likely to benefit you if you are connected to the organization personally vs trying to make it a networking event.  People will have a tough time with you if you walk into the orientation meeting for your new volunteer group and hand out cards asking for referrals.

Be sincere and good things will happen, the least of which might be sales.