Cold call script generator for the first 30 seconds
On a cold call you have about half a minute before the prospect decides to hang up. Generic openers like "how are you today?" lose that time. This prompt has your agent research the prospect's company and write a short permission-based opener, a reason for calling that is about them, gatekeeper lines, answers to quick brush-offs and a voicemail.
The prompt
- Write a cold call script to call [PROSPECT ROLE] at [PROSPECT COMPANY]. I sell [WHAT YOU SELL] and my goal for the call is [CALL GOAL]. First research the company (website, recent news, job posts) and give me 3 short facts I can mention, with links. Script: a 30-second opener (name, a permission line, a specific reason for calling based on the research), 3 short qualifying questions, answers to the 6 most common brush-offs ("not interested", "send me an email", "we already have someone", "no budget", "bad time", "how did you get my number"), what to say to a gatekeeper, a 20-second voicemail and a follow-up email to send after the voicemail. Keep every line short enough to say in one breath. Put it on a one-page PDF I can keep next to me while calling.
What to change
- [PROSPECT ROLE]: e.g. "facilities manager", "owner", "IT director".
- [PROSPECT COMPANY]: Company name and website, e.g. "Northwind Hotels (northwindhotels.com)". Or attach a list of companies.
- [WHAT YOU SELL]: e.g. "commercial LED lighting retrofits".
- [CALL GOAL]: Usually a meeting, e.g. "book a 20-minute site visit".
Example result
- Research (with links in the file)
- • Northwind Hotels is renovating 4 properties this year (local business news)
- • They posted a sustainability manager job last month
- • Their annual report mentions cutting energy costs as a 2027 goal
- Opener (30 seconds)
- "Hi Mark, this is Jess from BrightWatt. I know I am calling out of the blue. Can I take 30 seconds to tell you why, and you can tell me if it is worth talking?"
- (If yes) "I saw Northwind is renovating four hotels this year and has an energy cost goal for 2027. We swap lighting in hotel corridors and car parks to LED during renovations, which usually cuts lighting energy a lot without extra downtime. Is lighting part of the renovation scope?"
- Qualifying questions
- • Who looks after lighting decisions in the renovations?
- • Have you had an LED audit done in the last two years?
- • When do the next renovations start?
- Brush-offs
- • "Not interested." "Fair enough. Is that because lighting is already handled, or just not a priority this year?"
- • "Send me an email." "Happy to. So it is useful, which property should I base it on?"
- • "We already have a supplier." "Makes sense. Most hotels we work with did too. Would a free second opinion on one site be useful?"
- • "How did you get my number?" "From your company website. I can take you off my list if you prefer."
- Gatekeeper
- "Hi, I am Jess from BrightWatt. I am calling Mark Lee about lighting in the renovation projects. Is he the right person, or who handles that?"
- Voicemail (20 seconds)
- "Hi Mark, Jess from BrightWatt. I am calling about lighting in your four hotel renovations this year. I will send a short email with one idea. My number is 555 0142. Again, Jess, 555 0142."
- Follow-up email
- Subject: Lighting in the renovation
- Hi Mark, I just left you a voicemail. One idea: retrofit corridor lighting while rooms are closed anyway. Worth a 20-minute call?
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt and fill in the prospect, company, what you sell and your goal.
- Paste it into todo.is, or send a list of companies and ask for one call sheet each.
- Your agent researches each prospect and builds a one-page PDF to keep beside you.
- After a calling session, send your notes and ask your agent to sharpen the openers that did not land.
Tips for a better result
- Ask permission in the opener. "Can I take 30 seconds to tell you why I called?" gets more conversations than launching into a pitch.
- Give a reason for calling that only fits this company, from news, job posts or their own reports.
- Aim for a meeting, not a sale. A cold call that books a next step is a good call.
- Check your local rules on calling businesses and do-not-call lists before you start.
cold call script generator: FAQ
- What is the best opening line for a cold call? Say your name and company, admit it is a cold call, and ask for 30 seconds to explain why you are calling. Then give a reason specific to them.
- How long should a cold call script be? The opener should fit in about 30 seconds. The whole script is a guide for a 2 to 5 minute call that ends with a meeting booked or a clear no.
- Should I leave a voicemail on a cold call? Yes, keep it under 20 seconds, mention one specific reason, say your number twice and follow up with a short email.
- Can todo.is make the calls for me? No. Your agent researches prospects and writes scripts, call sheets and follow-up emails. You make the calls.
JavaScript is required to use the todo.is app.