8 Cold Call Openers to Use in 2025

Introduction

Cold calling remains a staple in sales, even in a digital-first world. In fact, 82% of buyers say they’ve accepted meetings after a series of contacts that started with a cold call (Rain Group). The trick is to make that first interaction feel human and relevant, something these eight openers aim to accomplish.

1. “Hi [Contact], if I told you this was a sales call, would that make you want to throw your phone out the window?”

Used by: Giulio (Cimenis) Segantini
Why It Works: This playful, self-aware approach catches people off-guard in a good way. It acknowledges the awkwardness of cold calls upfront and can quickly lower resistance. Or get a phone thrown out of a window.

2. “Hi [Contact], it’s [Name] calling from [Company]. I hate making calls as much as you probably hate receiving them, but there’s a specific reason for my call today—do you have a minute?”

Why It Works: You’re being honest about the nature of cold calling. It disarms the prospect and indicates you’re not here to waste their time.

3. “Hi [Contact], it’s [Name] from [Company]. How’s it going?”

Why It Works: Simple but effective. Keeping it casual can be refreshing, especially if the prospect is used to long and robotic, scripted intros. You come across human.

4. “Hi [Contact], it’s [Name] from [Company]. I was just reading about [something relevant to their company], and I had a quick question—do you have a minute?”

Why It Works: Mentioning a specific detail shows genuine research. Prospects are more inclined to talk when they believe you’ve taken time to learn about them.

5. “Hi [Contact], it’s [Name] from [Company]. I noticed you have [buying signal like M&A or leadership change]. We recently worked with [Client] who was going through the same thing and achieved [impressive result]. Do you have a minute to hear how we pulled it off?”

Why It Works: You’re spotlighting a tangible success story tied to the prospect’s situation. That real-world relevance makes it easier for them to envision a similar outcome.

6. “Hi [Contact], it’s [Name] from [Company]. I was recently talking with [Colleague], and they suggested it might make more sense to reach out to you. Do you have a quick second to see if this is relevant?”

Why It Works: You’re referencing a personal referral or internal link. This immediately builds credibility and curiosity, as it implies someone in their network or team pointed you in their direction.

7. “Hi [Contact], it’s [Name] from [Company]. We haven’t met, but I’ve had a few conversations with your colleagues. They mentioned you’re dealing with [pain point]. We’ve helped [similar companies] with [solution]. Got a moment to see if this might work for you?”

Why It Works: Again, you’re showing you’ve done your homework by referencing colleagues and a known pain point. This positions your call as more of a continuation of an internal conversation than an unsolicited pitch.

8. “Hi [Contact], it’s [Name] from [Company]. I’m sure you’re busy, so I’ll be quick. I spotted [specific detail about their business], and I think we might have a helpful angle. Got a minute to explore that?”

Why It Works: Respecting their time and referencing a relevant business detail signals you’re aiming to offer value, not just push a product.

A Note on Personalisation

According to HubSpot, personalised outreach can boost your cold call success rate by up to 50%. Mentioning the recipient’s name, role, recent projects, or industry news helps move the call from generic sales pitch to a conversation worth having.

Final Thoughts

Cold calling doesn’t have to be an awkward experience—for you or the prospect. By using openers that show empathy, genuine research, and a dash of personality, you stand a much better chance of getting past the knee-jerk “no” and into a real discussion about solutions.

Give these eight openers a try in 2025 and remember: A bit of homework before you dial can be the difference between a quick hang-up and a productive conversation.