Question about cold calling?

I have a membership based service that I want to approach small business owners about. My wife owns a flower shop and I know how she gets tons of telemarketing calls on a daily basis and they are annoying along with sales people that walk in. I hate to bother these business owners with a telemarketing call or to just cold call with a visit.

How open would business owners be if I sent them a very short email introducing myself and that I would like to set a time that I can stop by and drop off information on our service. Maybe give them the 15 second commercial about what it is.



As a business person, would you be more open to a telemarketing call, cold call or an approach via email??



Give me your thoughts and feedback on cold calling.

Question about cold calling?
I would be more open to an e-mail. It requires only a click to check out. But you have to make your subject and first sentence very clear. You are right. It has to be short. You can put something at the end like "For more info, please call or e-mail me."
Reply:hmmm... here's the thing. I hate getting those calls... but you need to make them. The worst part of those calls is when I politely say I am not interested and they persist.



Definitely cold call, send email, and visit them.



That's what sales is. Trust me. You have to get rid of the idea that you're "bothering them". Are you offering them a service that would truly benefit them? Do you believe in your product.... Then you are not bothering them.. you're offering a service to them that you believe will help them.



I would start with, "Mr. or Mrs... so and so.... I am calling with some information on ..... is this a good time for you to talk."



NO? When can I call you to discuss this...... trust me they'll give you a time....



SURE!... then you have permission to discuss it with them.



Be polite and listen.
Reply:I own a small business and I have a zero tolerance for cold calling. It really doesn't matter who it is, I will not have any business of any kind with someone that does that kind of phone harassment.



I would be more open to an email, or personal visit.



Since you are in a group, do they have events where you can introduce yourself?