I wanted to be an actress and didn't even want to go to college. But I went and then much to my surprise switched to Journalism and lit as I decided I liked writing even more.
But as time has gone by, I realize that the years I spent in acting classes from ages 8-18 and later classes in acting, for fun!, singing and stand-up comedy would turn out to be invaluable during my whole career to date. I found myself at one stage of my career, to make a bad pun, giving lectures and putting on historic pageants and writing speeches and what I had learned made it much easier.
Then in 1992, I started my own business and that meant, and still means, a lot of cold calls and I realized how useful all the acting training had been. It helped re rev up for calls, hone my pitch and sound confident even when I didn't. And it is beneficial when networking with a room full of total strangers.
What do I do? I pretend I am in a play or improv scene and it is amazing how it helps.
Sometimes I "rehearse" before as I used to as well.
So as I have told people for years, take an acting or improv or stand-up comedy class and you will find it will help it ways that will surprise them. What is great about improv is that it is improv and good practice for cold calls or networking. And sometimes one gets to do silly things which when remembered are fun to think about and thus relaxing. I once had to pretend I was a chair! Really!!
So if your area has acting classes, etc. it is worth even one course. And who knows whom you might meet who could use your services or become a friend!
I think if you take a class you will be pleasantly surprised how much it will contribute to your business and life.
And you will have fun in the process and a break!
Would love to hear your thoughts on Cold Calling.
by Phyllis Barr
President
Corporate Culture Marketing
New York City
212-765-6968