Don't use a generic opener. Lead with a specific trigger or context about the prospect, acknowledge it's a cold call, and then ask for 30 seconds of their time. This personalized approach makes every opener unique and more engaging, increasing the chances they'll listen.

To stand out from generic DMs, use video outreach tools that let you record personalized messages while scrolling through a prospect's own LinkedIn profile or website. This allows you to offer immediate, specific feedback or insights, demonstrating tangible value before asking for a meeting.

Salespeople often focus on their commission or quota. Drawing inspiration from Charlie Puth's collaborations, which stem from genuine admiration, a "clean" intention focused on truly helping the client because you respect their mission allows for more authentic and effective persistence.

Adding a deeply personal postscript (P.S.) to cold emails, such as referencing the recipient's favorite whiskey, demonstrates genuine research and builds rapport. This simple tactic humanizes the outreach and can dramatically increase the likelihood of getting a response from a busy executive.

Generic AI-powered personalization is now table stakes and easily ignored. The new bar for cutting through noise is to immediately demonstrate why your offering is relevant to the prospect's specific challenges and why they should invest their limited attention.

Relying on common sales triggers like funding announcements makes your outreach generic. Effective prospecting uses unique signals—such as specific LinkedIn posts, negative product reviews, or podcast appearances—to create relevant and differentiated messaging.

Mentalist Oz Perlman landed more airtime on CNBC than any CEO by tailoring his performance to the network's world: stocks, bonds, and markets. By making his craft relevant to their audience's interests, he became indispensable. To capture attention, obsessively focus on the other person's context and needs.

Getting access to high-level executives like Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff may require an extreme level of persistence. Harry Stebbings emailed him 53 times before getting a response. The key was that each follow-up included a new, personalized P.S., demonstrating thoughtful commitment rather than automated spam.

Instead of selling to high-value local clients, start a town-focused podcast and invite them as guests. This leverages their ego, builds a genuine relationship, and naturally leads to business opportunities without a hard sell, turning a cold pitch into a warm connection.