Why Cold Calls Nor Outreach Bother Me (Some Reporter Tips)

Many of us dread cold calling and following up with folks, especially when we want or need something from them. Why? Because we can feel (in these delicate moments) that we’re a bother or demanding or even desperate, when none of the above’s normally true.

I’m convinced that our Inner Judge plays a role. Our critical inner voice wants to protect us overall from humiliation, rejection, or loss of reputation to our integrity or personal brand. And yet, if we really need someone to do something for us or seek clarity from our audience, then that follow-up’s pretty vital. (Job seekers, sales people, and journalists must do this all the time.)

That’s this week’s offering: Ways I’ve almost always gotten through to those I’m needing and answer from, the role journalistic language and approaches can play, and some helpful and even fun framings to play with.

Thanks again to Dotun for his gorgeous edits. Thanks to my coachees—especially those putting themselves out there each day while job seeking—for inspiring this episode.

Connect with me, Coach Debbi McCullough, about your group's communication challenges via my LinkedIn profile and website.  I'm all about us becoming braver communicators.  Find Dotun Ayeni (my highly-talented producer) on Fiverr via his tagline: @titan32