How to Find Direct Dials? The Secret to Cold Calling (2024)

When it comes to cold calling, everyone knows how valuable it is to have not just any number, but the right number.

The difference between a successful cold call and a wasted one often boils down to this single factor. 

Whether you’re dialing office lines, landlines, or worse…wrong numbers, your results can vary dramatically. To boost your connect rates and make your cold calling efforts truly effective, you need to be dialing Direct Dials. 

So let’s dive in to the details!

What Are Direct Dial Phone Numbers?

Direct Dials are phone numbers that provide direct access to your target prospect without the need to speak with operators, receptionists, or assistants. In most cases, a Direct Dial is a cell phone number.

Why Are Direct Dials So Valuable?

If you've spent any time cold calling, you know how common it is to encounter bad phone numbers, office lines with assistants screening calls, or numbers that require you to jump through hoops, like entering an extension or a code, before you can even hope to reach your prospect.

This is where Direct Dials come in. When you call a Direct Dial, you’re usually reaching the phone in your prospect’s pocket. 

That makes the chances of having a live conversation 3 to 5 times higher than if you were calling a general business line. And we all know, the more conversations you have, the more sales you can close.

How to Find Direct Dial Phone Numbers

You can track down Direct Dials in a variety of ways, whether manually or using specialized tools. 

Here are some of the best ways to find Direct Dials:

1) LinkedIn Connections

LinkedIn can be a goldmine for finding Direct Dials, especially if you’re in the B2B space. Some profiles include contact details, and even if they don't, LinkedIn Prospectors are usually able to find phone numbers by accessing extensive databases.

Best For:

• B2B Sales
• Professional Networking
• Recruiting

2) Phone Number Finders

Phone number finders like Lusha, ZoomInfo, and LeadLoft specialize in finding direct contact information, including cell phone numbers. These platforms aggregate data from various sources to give you the most accurate numbers. 

Lusha and ZoomInfo are industry leaders with extensive databases, but they come with a hefty price tag and typically require annual contracts. LeadLoft, on the other hand, offers the same high-quality data but stands out by requiring no annual contracts and is around half the price of other tools.

Best For:

• High-volume cold calling
• B2B Sales
• Real Estate
• Lead Generation

3) Email Signatures

Ever noticed the contact details at the bottom of an email? Many people include their direct phone numbers in their email signatures. 

If you’ve had any email exchanges with your prospect, this is one of the easiest places to look and is great when you need to follow up on an active conversation.

Best For:

• Existing Contacts
• B2B Sales Follow Ups
• Customer Service Follow-ups

4) Public Databases

There are numerous public databases and directories online where people list their contact information. While not always 100% accurate, these can still be a valuable resource. 

A good option to try is SearchPeopleFree, which allows you to search for people’s contact details with minimal hassle.

Best For:

• Consumer Sales
• Real Estate
• Background Checks

5) Company Websites

Sometimes, the good old-fashioned company website can give you what you need. Check the "Contact Us" or "About Us" sections for direct numbers to specific employees or departments.

This tactic is especially useful when selling to local businesses or real estate firms. 

Best For:

• B2B Sales
• Partnership Inquiries
• Selling to Real Estate

Wrapping Up

Finding Direct Dials is wildly helpful when it comes to your cold calling success rate. The more accurate the number, the better your chances of reaching your prospect directly and making a connection that could lead to a sale. 

If you need help implementing a process to find Direct Dials and call them, feel free to checkout our Phone Number Finder or to book a time with our team. We’re always looking to help out where we can!

So go ahead, start dialing those Direct Dials!