[esanamaserrn]

I believe that one of the most crucial factors that determine the success of gaining trust is through honesty. When you are being honest, it'll definitely reflect. Honesty is something we can't fake. You just have to look closely at a person to see if he/she is lying or not. Right?
Second, respect. I think everyone deserves to be respected in their own ways. No matter how mean they might be.
Third is being able to provide them with the right thing or service they need. If you keep on telling them you can do things and blah blah blah, but fails to do so, then you are definitely not someone worthy to trust.

There. Just saying.

[Hitfaromarf]

I remember once having a bad experience which i brought to the management's notice.I had lost my trust in their services by that time ofcourse. To fix it, they requested me another chance and right then there they gave me the whole service again, a customized one at that and complimentary. The best part was, the service really was so good that i had no choice but to admit i was impressed. . . . its been 3 years now i am still their permanent customer and always given a personal touch and out of the way service on occassions

[DoctorBeny]

These three things are honesty, reliability and hard working.

[jenilopaz]

Well, obviously there are different forms of "cold" customers; phone, email, personal. Phone is always the hardest - when I turned 18 I started working for a marketing company that specialised in telesales. Wow, what a job (not in a good way). I had to sell electricity contracts to people who obviously already had an energy provider. Funnily enough, I took a vastly different approach - I ignored the scripts; told them that energy was boring and unexciting but the problem with that is people can be complacent and not look around to save money -- blah blah blah, I actually took out a calculator and asked them to throw their previous bill figures at me, andI worked out there savings. I converted over 70% of the calls I made. Trust over the phone is about how quickly you can convince them to keep listening.

Email - easier. People are more willing to read than talk. They can't get trapped by clever work around talks or slights of tone. They will read your email and if they trust it - they'll contact you.

Personal - piece of cake. If you're genuine about your product/service and you clearly aren't shonky, people will trust you. I find selling is the easiest way to lose a sale - if you talk about your expertise in the area of your service; it's worth more than a "we do this, we have this" approach. People trust you, when they see you know your stuff.

[antonyandruleit]

I think honesty is the most important thing. Clients are always very impressed if you tell them honestly some small negative feature or risk about your product/service. The customer should be absolutely sure that you do everything you could possibly do for him/her.

[Hitfaromarf]

Respect customers, they will respect you. Thats the first step to have them open to what you have to say. Next you must be yourself, no pretending. It will help build your integrity. Be professional, yet, show consideration. Listen to them with an open mind, seek truth and support. Make a considerable offer and try to build a longterm relationship

[soineeLom]

OK - Three things to give them straight off the top of my head.

1 - Never go for the hard sell. Be human, be brief and remember that when you cold call, you're infringing on somebody elses space and time. You have to be likeable way before your products and services if you are cold calling.
2 - Reinforce your credentials. Don't waste time making promises over a telephone. Give them solid information and proof that you can definitely deliver by ASKING if you can mail out some further information. Arrange a date for a follow-up call and stick to it.
3 - Provide a known reference. If you've completed work for a major local (or even national) company, drop in a name. As well as being impressed by your choice of business partners, your trust factor should increase significantly.

I'm not a fan of cold calling myself. I prefer to position.

[SodeSceriobia]

Some good suggestions but for my money, there is one influencing factor above all of those listed and that's to always deliver on expectations. It doesn't matter if you have promised something over a telephone, agreed something in a meeting or claimed something on your website. The bottom line is that you have to fulfil your obligations once they have been made.

[Xzmwskxn]

Got to agree with you on point 3.

If you send cold prospects occasional emails, like news clippings related to their business, that works pretty well.

it shows you are interested in their business.

Even if your only interest is winning their business.

[TessUnsonia]

1. Treat them with respect. Constantly.

2. Always be there for them, in reasonable standards of course.

3. Provide quality service.

Really only the third one matters in the long run.

[WrigleyMike]

What are the 3 things you have done to develop trust with cold prospects who have become quality clients?

[WrigleyMike]

I'm not a fan of cold calling myself. I prefer to position.

Agree Quite true in marketing perspective.