Hi {Name}, I came across {their business} and liked {specific detail}. I help {type of business}{result}. Would it be useful if I shared one quick idea for {their goal}?
Be specific about them. A generic opener reads as spam.
Cold Outreach
Cold call opener (permission-based)
Phone
Hi {Name}, this is {You} from {Company}. I know I'm calling out of the blue. Do you have 30 seconds to tell you why I called, and then you can decide if it's worth continuing?
Asking permission lowers resistance. Keep your voice calm and slow.
Cold Outreach
Problem-first email/DM
Any
Hi {Name}, many {industry} owners tell me {common problem} is costing them {time/₦}. Is that something you're dealing with, or have you already solved it?
Lead with a problem they recognise, not your product.
Cold Outreach
Referral-style intro
Any
Hi {Name}, {Mutual contact} suggested I reach out. I recently helped them with {result}. Would you be open to a quick chat to see if I can do the same for you?
Only use this if the referral is real and permitted.
Cold Outreach
Walk-in / in-person intro
In-person
Good afternoon. I'm {You}. I work with businesses around here on {result}. I'm not here to take much time. Who would be the right person to speak with for 5 minutes?
Be respectful of their time. Smile, keep eye contact, don't rush.
First Contact
Set the agenda
Phone
Thanks for taking the time. Here's what I'd suggest: I'll ask a few questions about your situation, tell you if I can help, and if it makes sense, we agree on a next step. If not, no problem. Sound fair?
An upfront agenda lowers guard and sets you as an equal.
First Contact
WhatsApp follow-up to an inbound inquiry
WhatsApp/DM
Hi {Name}, thanks for reaching out about {product/service}. To make sure I give you the right details, what are you hoping to achieve with it?
Don't send a catalogue or price list immediately. Ask one question first.
First Contact
First-minute hook
Any
Most {industry} businesses I talk to are frustrated by {pain point}. Does that sound like what you're dealing with, or is your situation different?
Give them permission to say no: it makes them honest.
First Contact
Confirm the decision process
Phone
Before we get into details: who else besides you usually has a say when you decide on something like this?
Find the real decider early, not at the end.
First Contact
Warm re-entry for an old lead
WhatsApp/DM
Hi {Name}, I was thinking about our conversation about {topic} from a while back. Did you ever sort that out, or is it still on your to-do list?
Casual, no pitch. Just open the door.
Discovery
The current-situation question
Any
How are you currently handling {process}, and what's working or not working about it?
Ask and then shut up. Listen twice as much as you talk.
Discovery
The cost-of-inaction question
Any
If you don't solve this over the next 6 months, what does that cost you in time, money, or stress?
Help them feel the weight of doing nothing.
Discovery
The priority check
Phone
On a scale of 1 to 10, how urgent is solving this compared to everything else on your plate right now?
If it's under 7, they won't buy now no matter how good you are.
Discovery
The magic wand question
In-person
If you could wave a wand and have this fixed by next month, what would that look like for your business?
Gets them describing the ideal outcome in their own words.
Discovery
Uncover the past attempt
Any
Have you tried to fix this before? What happened?
Tells you who you're really competing with: their last bad experience.
Presentation
Tie the offer to their words
Any
Earlier you mentioned {their exact pain}. Here's how {your offer} specifically fixes that: {feature/outcome}.
Use their words, not your jargon.
Presentation
The case-story transition
Any
A client of ours, {Client}, had the exact same issue with {problem}. We did {solution}, and within {timeframe} they saw {result}. That's what we'd do for you.
Stories stick better than feature lists.
Presentation
The check-in after pitching
Phone
I've shared a lot. How does this compare to what you had in mind?
Never talk for more than 2 minutes without checking in.
Presentation
Presenting the price calmly
Any
To solve {their problem} and get {outcome}, the investment is {₦X}. [Stay completely silent until they speak.]
State the number, then stop talking. Silence here is power.
Presentation
The risk reversal
Any
We take on the risk: if you don't get {specific result} in {time}, {guarantee/terms}. Does that feel fair?
A strong guarantee makes the decision easier.
Objections
Isolate the objection
Any
Aside from {stated concern}, is there anything else that would stop us from moving forward today?
Find all objections at once before answering one.
Objections
Label the feeling
Phone
It sounds like you're worried this might not work for your specific setup. Is that right?
I can look at adjusting the price if we remove {part of package}, or if you're able to confirm today. Which works better?
Never give a concession without taking one back.
Objections
Handle 'send me a proposal'
Phone
Happy to. Proposals usually take time on both sides. If the proposal covers everything we discussed at {₦X}, are you ready to say yes?
Don't write proposals for people who aren't ready to buy.
Objections
Handle 'I need to think'
In-person
That's completely fair. Usually when someone says that, it means one of three things: price, fit, or timing. Which is it for you?
Give them the multiple choices so they don't have to invent one.
Price & Negotiation
Anchor high before quoting
Any
Normally a custom build like this runs between {₦High} and {₦Higher}. For what you need, we can keep it at {₦X}.
Anchoring makes your actual price feel like a relief.
Price & Negotiation
The payment plan offer
WhatsApp/DM
If the full amount is tight right now, we can do {deposit} today to get started, and {balance} on delivery. Would that help?
Split the payment, never cut the price.
Price & Negotiation
Hold firm on 'last price'
WhatsApp/DM
I price fairly from the start so there's no game playing. What I CAN do is throw in {small bonus} if you confirm today.
Add value instead of reducing price.
Price & Negotiation
The scope-cut response
Any
To hit {their lower budget}, we'd need to take out {feature A} and {feature B}. Do you want to do that, or keep the full version?
Shows that price is tied to scope, not your mood.
Price & Negotiation
The walk-away line
Any
It sounds like our prices don't align right now, and that's okay. I don't want to deliver something half-hearted. Let's stay in touch for when the timing is right.
Being willing to walk away often pulls them back.
Closing
The direct close
Any
Shall we go ahead and get this started today?
Short, calm, confident. Ask and stop talking.
Closing
The alternative close
Any
Would you prefer the standard package at {₦X} or the premium at {₦Y}?
Gives a choice between two yeses.
Closing
The next-step close
Phone
If you're comfortable with everything, the next step is {step 1: e.g., send invoice / sign agreement}. Shall I send that over now?
Focuses on the immediate next action rather than a heavy 'contract'.
Closing
The urgency close (real)
WhatsApp/DM
I have space for {X} more clients this month to keep delivery fast. If you'd like one of those spots, let me know today so I can hold it.
Only use if real. Fake urgency destroys trust.
Closing
The scale close
Phone
On a scale of 1 to 10, how ready do you feel to do this? ... What would take it to a 10?
Tells you the exact final gap to close.
Follow-up
Day 1 post-call recap
WhatsApp/DM
Hi {Name}, great speaking today. As agreed: {summary of points}. When you're ready, here's how we start: {link/step}. Talk on {agreed day}.
Always send a recap within 2 hours of a call.
Follow-up
Value-add follow-up
Any
Hi {Name}, saw this {article/idea/example} and thought of our conversation about {their goal}. No reply needed, just thought it would help.
Follow up with value, not 'just checking in'.
Follow-up
The question follow-up
WhatsApp/DM
Hi {Name}, quick question: did you get a chance to review the details, or did something else come up?
Gives them permission to admit they got busy.
Follow-up
The milestone check-in
Phone
Hi {Name}, you mentioned wanting this in place by {date}. To hit that timeline, we'd need to kick off by {deadline}. Are we still aiming for that?
Uses their own timeline to create momentum.
Follow-up
The short nudge
WhatsApp/DM
Hi {Name}, are you still looking to sort out {problem} this week?
One line. Easy to read and answer on the go.
Ghosting
The permission-to-close nudge
WhatsApp/DM
Hi {Name}, haven't heard back, so I assume priorities have shifted. Should I close this out, or keep it open?
People hate having files closed on them. Gets high response.
Ghosting
The 1-line check
WhatsApp/DM
Have you given up on {project/goal}?
Chris Voss classic. Elicits a quick 'No, just busy' reply.
Ghosting
The graceful exit
Any
Hi {Name}, I don't want to keep bothering you. I'll take this as not the right time. Whenever you're ready in the future, the door is open.
Removes all pressure. Often gets an apologetic reply.
Ghosting
The humorous re-entry
WhatsApp/DM
Hi {Name}, haven't heard from you. Did you get eaten by crocodiles, or just super busy? Either way, hope you're good!
Lightens the tension. Use only for casual relationships.
Ghosting
The final account-number follow-up
WhatsApp/DM
Hi {Name}, I'm holding the item/slot until {time}. If you'd still like it, let me know before then so I don't pass it to the next person.
A polite expiry deadline without sounding rude.
Re-engaging
The new-result share
Any
Hi {Name}, we recently helped another {industry} business get {specific win}. It reminded me of what you were trying to do. Worth a 5-minute catch-up?
Proof is the best reason to reconnect.
Re-engaging
The new offering
WhatsApp/DM
Hi {Name}, we just introduced {new service/product} that solves {pain} at a lower entry point. Thought of you. Want details?
Good for leads who previously said price was the blocker.
Re-engaging
The casual 'thinking of you'
Any
Hi {Name}, hope business is treating you well. How has {thing they were working on} turned out?
No pitch. Just genuine interest.
Re-engaging
The market shift
Any
Hi {Name}, with the recent changes in {market/industry}, a lot of clients are asking about {solution}. Are you seeing that too?
Positions you as an industry peer.
Re-engaging
The anniversary re-touch
WhatsApp/DM
Hi {Name}, hard to believe it's been {X months} since we talked about {project}. How are things going with that?
A natural conversation starter.
Referrals
Ask right after delivering a win
Any
So glad you loved the result! Who else in your circle has been struggling with {problem} that I should speak with?
Ask when their satisfaction is at its peak.
Referrals
The specific referral ask
WhatsApp/DM
I'm looking to work with 2 more {specific type of business} owners this month. Do you know someone who fits that description?
Specific asks get names; generic asks get 'I'll think about it'.
Referrals
The introduction forward
WhatsApp/DM
Would you mind doing a quick WhatsApp intro between me and {Name}? I can send you a short blurb to forward to make it effortless.
Make it take 10 seconds of their effort.
Referrals
The referral incentive
Any
For any client you introduce who signs up, I'll credit {₦X / reward} toward your next service. Who comes to mind?
Always thank and reward referrers generously.
Referrals
Asking a vendor partner
In-person
We share the same ideal client: {client profile}. Would it make sense to refer clients to each other when they need our respective services?
Partnerships yield consistent referral flow.
Referrals
The testimonial into referral
WhatsApp/DM
Thank you so much for this feedback! Would it be okay if I quoted this, and who else do you think would benefit from this?
Pairing a compliment with a referral ask feels natural.
Upsell
Natural add-on
Any
Since you're getting {item}, many customers also add {add-on} because {benefit}. Want me to include it?
Offer relevant add-ons only, never random ones.
Upsell
Upgrade to premium
Any
You've been getting great results with {current}. With {premium}, you could also {extra outcome}. Want to see how it works?
Base it on their success.
Upsell
Bundle offer
WhatsApp/DM
If you take {A} and {B} together, I'll do {₦X} for both instead of {₦Y}. Shall I set that up?
Bundles raise order size without feeling pushy.
Upsell
Retainer / repeat-business offer
Any
Since this worked well, would you like me to handle it every month at {₦X}? That way you don't have to think about it.