A cold call is an unsolicited phone call made by a sales rep to a potential customer who hasn’t previously expressed interest or interacted with the company. The goal is to introduce the product or service, spark interest, and qualify the lead for next steps, such as booking a meeting or demo.

Cold calling is often used in outbound sales strategies and typically targets prospects from an ideal customer profile (ICP) list.

Successful cold calls rely on thorough preparation, personalized outreach, strong opening lines, and the ability to confidently handle objections. While often challenging, cold calling remains a proven method for starting conversations with high-value prospects.