# Cold Call Script Template

> A fill-in-the-blank cold call structure covering opener, permission-based pattern interrupt, qualifying questions, and next-step ask, so you never freeze after the first 10 seconds.

Free template for sales reps. Topic: [Prospecting & Outbound Strategy](https://www.peerlab.ai/library/topic/prospecting-outbound-strategy/). Published by PeerLab in the [Sales Enablement Resource Library](https://www.peerlab.ai/library/). Source: https://www.peerlab.ai/library/cold-call-script-template/

## How to use it

Fill in every bracket once per ICP/persona before your first call block, keep it pinned next to your dialer, and work from the bolded call structure rather than reading full sentences aloud.

## What's inside

- Pre-call prep fields: prospect, ICP fit reason, pain hypothesis, call objective
- The Opener (0:00–0:10) word-for-word line
- The pattern interrupt / reason-for-calling line with proof-point field
- 4 qualifying questions: confirm pain, size impact, check priority, check current state
- The micro-pitch structure (2-3 sentences tied to their answer)
- The next-step ask, assumptive close offering two times
- Branch response for "send me an email"
- Graceful exit script for genuinely disqualified prospects
- Post-call log fields (outcome, qualified, pain confirmed, next step, follow-up)

A full-call structure you fill in once per ICP/persona, then run on every dial. This isn't a word-for-word script to read, it's scaffolding so you never freeze after the opener and never forget to ask for the next step.

**How to use this:** Fill in every bracket before your first call block of the day. Print it or pin it next to your dialer. Read the guidance notes (in *italics*) once, then work from the bolded structure only.

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## PRE-CALL PREP (2 minutes, before you dial)

- Prospect name / title: ______________________
- Company + one fact about them (news, hire, product): ______________________
- ICP fit reason (why they're on your list): ______________________
- Hypothesis, the pain you think they have: ______________________
- Call objective (book meeting / qualify / get referral): ______________________

---

## 1. THE OPENER (0:00–0:10)

*Goal: survive the first 7 seconds. Name the interruption, don't apologize for it.*

> "Hi [Prospect Name], this is [Your Name] calling from [Your Company], you don't know me and this is a cold call. Do you have 20 seconds for me to tell you why I'm calling?"

**If yes →** go to Section 2.
**If "what's this about" →** go straight to Section 2, skip the permission ask.
**If "I'm busy" →** *"Totally fair: is there a better time in the next day or two, or do you want the 20-second version right now?"*

---

## 2. THE PATTERN INTERRUPT / REASON FOR CALLING (0:10–0:25)

*Goal: give one specific, credible reason this call isn't random. Name a pain, not a product.*

> "The reason I'm calling, I work with [role/title] at [industry/company size] companies who are dealing with [specific pain point]. I'm not sure if that's true for you, which is really why I'm calling."

Fill in:
- Specific pain point: ______________________
- Proof point / who else you help (one name or category, not a client list): ______________________

---

## 3. QUALIFYING QUESTIONS (0:25–2:00)

*Goal: confirm the pain is real, sized, and worth a next step. Ask, then stop talking.*

**Q1: Confirm the pain exists:**
> "When you think about [specific pain], is that something that's actually showing up for your team right now, or is it more theoretical?"

**Q2: Size the impact:**
> "When it does show up, what does it end up costing you: time, money, people, or something else?"

**Q3: Check priority/urgency:**
> "Is fixing that something you're actively looking at this quarter, or is it more of a 'someday' thing?"

**Q4 (optional): Check current state:**
> "What are you doing about it today, if anything?"

*Notes: Listen for a number, a deadline, or a name of someone else affected, that's your ammunition for the next-step ask. If the answer to Q1 is a flat "no, not really," don't force it, go to the graceful exit at the bottom of this template.*

---

## 4. THE MICRO-PITCH (2:00–2:30)

*Goal: 2–3 sentences, tied directly to what they just told you. Never a feature list.*

> "Based on what you just said, here's why I called specifically, [one sentence connecting their answer to what you do]. The way we usually help is [one sentence, plain language, no jargon]."

---

## 5. THE NEXT-STEP ASK (2:30–3:00)

*Goal: assume the next step exists: ask for the calendar, not for permission to ask for the calendar.*

> "Given what you've told me, it's probably worth 25 minutes to show you exactly how that works and let you decide if it's relevant. I've got [Day] at [Time] or [Day] at [Time], which is better?"

**If they hesitate:** *"No pressure either way: worst case, you spend 25 minutes confirming this isn't for you right now."*

**If they say send an email:** *"Happy to, I'll send it right after this call. While I've got you, though, can I ask [Q1 or Q2 above] so what I send is actually relevant instead of generic?"*

---

## GRACEFUL EXIT (if genuinely disqualified)

> "Appreciate you being straight with me, sounds like this isn't a fit right now. Mind if I check back in [3/6 months], or is there someone else on your team this would matter more to?"

---

## POST-CALL LOG (fill in immediately after hanging up)

- Outcome: Connected / Voicemail / Gatekeeper / No answer
- Qualified: Yes / No / Maybe
- Pain confirmed: ______________________
- Next step booked: Date/time or "none"
- Follow-up action: ______________________