50 Cold Calling Statistics to Learn From in 2024

High-performing sales and marketing teams always seek new ways to generate high-quality leads, build robust pipelines, and maximize conversions. Cold calling has been a popular method used by sales representatives since the dawn of spoken communication. However, we’ve only recently gained tools and insights into the impact of cold calling. This article explores over 50 cold-calling statistics to show how it can affect your business, so you can decide if it’s worth the investment.

From conversion rates to time spent on phone calls, understanding these metrics gives invaluable insight into crafting an effective strategy tailored to your team’s needs. 

General Cold Calling Statistics

Cold calling is still one of the most commonly used methods to engage potential customers and generate leads. Your sales reps can reach many people despite challenges, receiving immediate feedback, or building relationships through conversation. However, cold calling also has low success rates, accompanied by plenty of rejection and negative sentiment from prospects. To mitigate these risks associated with cold calling, it’s essential to understand key sales statistics, including:

• 85% of a market’s available business goes to the 5% of sales reps who know how to conduct successful cold calls (Bhardwaj)
• Assuming that placing a bad call takes about 1 minute per call (on average), sales representatives could spend up to 2.5 hours dealing with unresponsive or disconnected phone numbers (Baylor)
• Salespeople rarely secure meetings with prospects, with success rates around 3% (Bauer)
• 35% of buyers prefer phone calls for scheduling appointments, indicating a higher success rate than other methods like email (Hiya State of the Call, 2022)
• More than 30% of sales-related activities can be automated (McKinsey), which indicates an opportunity for enhancing cold-calling efficiency
• There was an increase of 41.3% in live conversations from 2020 to 2021 (PhoneBurner), primarily due to the rise in remote work
• In 2007, reaching a prospect took an average of 3.68 cold call attempts. This number shot to 8 attempts in 2014, indicating a rising need for sophistication in cold-calling efforts (Ovation Sales Group)
• It costs about $5.10 every time a sales rep makes a cold call (Cargill Consulting Group)
• 5% of cold calls lead to a sale (DSWA)

B2B Cold Calling Statistics

B2B cold calling is a challenging but potentially rewarding technique sales representatives use to contact businesses and establish new relationships. Unlike B2C (business-to-consumer) cold calling, B2B cold calling targets businesses. The sales representative must approach business buyers, such as the company’s CEO or CMO, rather than individual consumers. This can be challenging, as businesses often have gatekeepers that make it difficult to reach the decision-makers.

While some B2B cold calling statistics highlight the tactic’s effectiveness, others suggest that many sales reps struggle to overcome common challenges, such as getting access to decision-makers and being prepared for calls. The data below demonstrates how B2B cold calling can be valuable if done correctly. However, it requires careful preparation, research, and persistence to overcome the unique challenges of reaching business decision-makers.

• 35% of B2B buyers prefer voice calls for scheduling appointments over other methods, demonstrating the prominence of calling as a medium for prospecting (Hiya State of the Call, 2022),
• 76% of top sales performers say they perform research before calling leads— compared to just 47% for other sales reps (LinkedIn Sales Solutions)
• Nearly half of B2B outbound sales professionals are afraid to make cold calls (ValueSelling Associates, Inc.)
• 46% of B2B sales reps cite getting access to the decision maker as one of their biggest challenges (ValueSelling Associates, Inc.)
• 27% of sales professionals said cold calling new contacts is very effective (RAIN Group)
• Only half of B2B Sales reps are achieving an optimal outbound call volume (ringDNA)
• 82% of B2B decision-makers say sales reps cold calling are unprepared (SiriusDecisions)

Cold Calling Statistics Regarding Best Practices

Understanding data on cold calling can be invaluable when developing effective outreach strategies, such as being aware of how many calls you should make, when the best times are for contacting customers, and what type of language works best. With great insight into these practical statistics, your sales reps can reap the rewards from a properly executed cold-calling campaign. Otherwise, you could risk making cold outreach a waste of your sales rep’s time. 

What is a Successful Cold Call?

Making successful cold calls relies on many variables working in harmony. It’s essential to express the reason for your outreach confidently and immediately demonstrate how you can add value through your solution or product– all within an appropriate time frame. Equally as necessary is building rapport by effectively listening and creating meaningful dialogue. The below statistics illustrate what makes a compelling cold call. 

• Successful cold calls last twice as long as unsuccessful calls (InsideSales)
• Calls resulting in demos usually have a sales rep monologue of 67 seconds on average, compared to calls that aren’t successful at 47 seconds. However, the best cold callers balance this talk time with intense listening (ringLead)
• Stating the reason for your call or request can lead to up to a 94% success rate, up from a 60% baseline (Xerox)
• Sales reps who are more successful at cold calls typically convey their solution’s value within 5-10 minutes (RAIN Group)
• Most successful cold calls average about 14.3 minutes (ringLead)
• Successful sales calls don’t have periods of silence for more than 10% of the total call duration (ringLead)

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When Should You Make Cold Calls?

It’s important to consider the timing when maximizing the potential of cold calling. Research has found a difference between success rates on different days of the week and at various times during those days. Consider these nuances when structuring your outreach strategy. 

• Tuesdays and Thursdays were more likely to result in calls lasting longer than five minutes (Yesware)
• The worst days to cold call are Mondays and Fridays (Novocall)
• Mornings to early afternoon (10 am – 2 pm) were the most effective times of day to place cold calls (Baylor)
• A study analyzing over 17 million live conversations narrows down the best time for a cold call to between 10-11 am (PhoneBurner)
• Other studies point to 4-5 pm being the best time to call (Crunchbase)
• Q1 is the best quarter to cold call, as new initiatives are underway for the rest of the year (PhoneBurner)
• Most outbound calls are placed in the late morning and early afternoon, where sales reps are missing peak calling times in the early morning (ringLead)

How Many Cold Calls Should You Make?

The frequency you make cold calls can significantly impact reaching your goals. Cold callers must have a good sense of the number of calls necessary to use their time effectively. While many variables go into this equation, some general data points can provide helpful guidelines. Understanding average call answer rates, conversion ratios, and industry-specific information will get you closer to understanding the number of calls you need to make to achieve your desired results.

• It takes about 48 prospecting calls to make a sale (ServiceBell)
• Sales professionals make 52 calls per day (Bridge Group)
• A study found that outbound sales reps should make 60 prospecting calls per day on average to meet their sales goals (ringDNA)

The Use of Data in Cold Calling Statistics

Having access to high-quality data is fundamental for successful cold calling. Inaccurate or incomplete data can lead to frustration and reduce the credibility of your sales reps. Deploying contact data and sales intelligence tools can significantly improve the effectiveness of cold-calling efforts. However, many businesses still rely on inaccurate or incomplete data, which can result in wasted sales efforts and lost revenue. 

Sales representatives need to prioritize data accuracy and completeness in their prospecting efforts to increase their chances of success. Using a platform like UpLead can provide access to high-quality leads with 95% data accuracy, enabling sales reps to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their cold-calling strategies.

• 66% of high-growth companies deploy contact data and sales intelligence tools (Bridge Group 2021 State of Sales Development Report).
• 47% of businesses said they were frustrated by an inbound call with errors in data (Trillium Software)
• 74% of B2B buyers choose the first sales rep to add value and insight, showcasing the value of a solutions-based approach based on customer data (Fusion Marketing Partners)
• 35% of businesses said their faith in a company’s product is reduced when a sales professional has inaccurate data (Trillium Software)
• 85% of businesses say they are working with databases that have up to 40% lousy lead data (Demand Gen Report)
• Sales lead with inaccurate B2B contact data waste 27.3% of their sales efforts (SalesIntel)
• 62% of sales teams report relying on prospect data that is only up to 40% accurate (Demand Gen Report)
• Companies can lose up to 12% in revenue due to inaccurate data in their prospecting efforts (Demand Science)
• More than 40% of sales professionals report not having enough information before making a cold call (ZoomInfo)

UpLead is the go-to source for high-quality cold-calling data. Try UpLead now and start taking advantage of proven cold-calling tips today!

Statistics About Cold Calling Success Rates

As a sales representative, understanding the success rates of cold calling is essential for improving long-term outcomes. After all, your cold call outreach will never be perfect. That’s why it’s vital to tweak your cold calling to enhance results. For example, recent studies have found that only a small percentage of cold calls result in appointments. However, leaving numerous voicemail messages can increase the callback rate. Moreover, sales reps who actively listen to their customers during cold calls tend to boast higher conversion rates. 

The following data points can help you identify what components of the cold call process are worth improving as you follow up with leads. 

• Approximately one appointment was set for every 330 cold calls made in a study (Baylor)
• 78% of sales reps said listening had a substantial impact on conversion rates during cold calls (Salesforce)
• 90% of cold sales calls land in voice mail (Cargill Consulting Group)
• Leaving a third voicemail after a cold call can lead to a 33% callback rate (Crunchbase)

Cold Calling Statistics About Customer Responses

Cold calling offers a variety of different customer responses. Some customers will be interested in your solution and show an immediate response, while others may have various objections that need to be handled. Although some people are wary of cold calls, understanding the customer’s perspective, tailoring the sales pitch accordingly, and being patient with resolving potential issues can often lead to successful outcomes. Knowing your customer base and considering ways to work through any objections you might face is essential if your business relies heavily on cold calling. The data below can help your sales team understand the response to expect when making cold calls. 

• 87% of respondents in a survey said they often ignore calls from unknown numbers (martech)
• 57% of VP and C-level executives prefer to be contacted by phone (RAIN Group)
• According to a study by the RAIN Group, 82% of buyers accept meetings from sales reps who reach out to them, which indicates an openness to hearing what sales representatives have to say (RAIN Group)
• 50% of salespeople think they avoid being too pushy, while 84% of buyers encountered a pushy sales professional (Crunchbase)

Cold Calling Statistics to Motivate Your Team

Cold calling can be daunting for any salesperson, especially if you haven’t done your first call yet. The hours of reaching dead ends with leads can be incredibly demotivating. However, data shows a consistent follow-up call schedule can yield promising results. In addition, your target audience might be more receptive to your call than you think. Below are compelling  B2B cold-calling statistics that can motivate your team to confidently and enthusiastically tackle their next round of sales calls.

• It can take 7 to 13+ follow-up calls to generate sales-qualified leads, so persistence and patience are key (Online Marketing Institute)
• Only 13% of leads receive the ideal follow-up call amount— between five and seven attempts (Velocify) 
• A RAIN Group study found 69% of buyers have taken calls from new companies in the past year (RAIN Group)
• 62% of prospects who are looking for a solution to their pain points want to hear from a sales representative (RAIN Group)
• It takes sales reps 10.7 hours of cold-calling and follow-up calls to get a face-to-face meeting (Cargill Consulting Group)

Use These Stats to Boost Your Cold Calling Success Rate

As you can see from the data above, you can leverage several cold-calling best practices to approach your outreach strategy more thoughtfully. There are also several pitfalls to avoid to ensure you don’t have low conversion rates. Start by focusing on the right time, day, and month to focus your cold-calling efforts on the windows where you have the most opportunity. Prioritize high-quality data to avoid inaccurate lead information and wasted sales efforts.

Regarding customer responses, be prepared to leave voicemails, as most cold calls will go unanswered. Remember that many customers may ignore calls from unknown numbers, so making an excellent first impression and offering value in your initial pitch is essential. Remember to listen carefully to customers and avoid being too pushy, which can turn off potential buyers.

To get started with high-quality leads, consider using UpLead. The cold calling software platform provides access to leads with up to 95% data accuracy. You can get detailed data on your prospects, starting from the common ground in your cold call outreach and optimizing conversion rates. Moreover, 

FAQs About Cold Calling Statistics

Below are a few of the most frequently asked questions about cold-calling statistics.

What You Need to Remember About Cold Calling Statistics

Cold calling is a significant part of the B2B sales process, yet many organizations still struggle to make it work for them. Cold callings have several potential pitfalls, like incorrect data leading to low conversion rates and difficulty connecting with prospects. The right techniques can help you avoid these issues and make cold calling work. UpLead offers quality leads and robust data to supplement your lead generation efforts and equip your sales team with the knowledge they need to enhance cold call success.