Cold calling agencies. Is it weird to google/LinkedIn a specific person (HOP, say) and dial by name, directly call them? Agencies are massive and receptionists (if there is one) won’t direct you to a role. They want a name. For freelancers trying to network, this seems to be the only way in if you have no contacts there. Any thoughts or advice appreciated.

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Love that everyone in this thread is saying “absolutely do not cold call” and OP is like “ok but what if……the call was real short”

likefunny

Happens all the time on here. People get good answers that don’t align with what they want to do, so they keep tweaking the scenario.

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Haha. You kids. Cold calling agencies was the only way you got a job as a Jr. before email and LinkedIn. Juniors used to trade strategies on how to get passed the receptionist to be connected with a CD. It was your very first creative brief.

LinkedIn and email is easier now but people are less creative getting in touch. Pretty much the trend across the industry these days.

Boomer out.

likeuplifting

It’s a joke, friend

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Just reach out on LinkedIn
Suuuuper weird to get a call from some random person asking for a job

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@OP I add people I don’t know constantly. 99% of the time they accept me. We have mutual connections, etc. One time I added an EP at a company I admire. He accepted my request. A few months later I posted some new work - he saw it, reached out, and we ended up working together on several projects, and now he’s someone I call a friend!

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Yeah, even if we were in offices, I don’t see the benefit of a call. I wouldn’t have the ability to see your portfolio or resume. I’m not necessarily prepared for the conversation. LinkedIn and emails have done fine for me.

likefunny

How would you send your work then? Carrier pigeon?

Don't do this, wtf, it's 2021

likefunny

Be honest OP: You’re trying to sell cloud based solutions, aren’t you?

funnylike

Don’t cold call. Cold email. Cold LinkedIn. Cold randomly bump into him/her at their local supermarket, apologize and say ‘hey didn’t we meet at AICP last year?’ even though you stalked them and learned their shopping patterns through meticulous research. Well, don’t do that last one. But definitely don’t cold call.

likefunny

Pineapples ARE super inviting

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I say just show up and start working- like that hipster chic for Vice did.

likefunny

Honestly: something here isn’t adding up. You want to apply for jobs in 2021 without an email, but you’re comfortable invading peoples work day with a call from a stranger? Just like you don’t have (don’t like?) email, you’re eliminating professional contacts who don’t like calls or who frankly find the absence of that option altogether bizarre.

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I don’t even like my boss texting me asking for something because it doesn’t give me much time to respond—- much less when they call. And thats someone I know and respect

Go totally retro and fax them. Or telegram. It might be so weird to work. #oldoldschool

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A pigeon. Or what about a quartet?

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have you heard of this new thing they have called email?

How are you finding someone’s work phone number if you can’t find their email address? If the receptionist is putting you through to their work number, they’d probably be willing to tell you the person’s email address. Just say, “I’m sending an email to (name) - can you tell me their correct email address?

Also, when I worked at Saatchi, there was a phone number assigned to me that wasn’t attached to a phone - there was a way to pick it up through the computer but I never did. I didn’t know the number and the only people who called it were telemarketers.

Reach out to the resource manager. Most agencies will have one. Otherwise connect with other freelancers on LinkedIn - Particularly ADs if you're a writer, often times agencies are looking for pairs of people.

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