"Hello, my name is [Name] and I'm calling from..." Click.
If your sales call script starts like that, you have lost before you even finished the sentence. In 2025, buyers are inundated with noise. They can smell a generic pitch from a mile away. To survive, your script needs to stop sounding like a script and start sounding like a human conversation.
But "winging it" isn't the answer either. You need a structure. This guide provides 5 high-converting sales call scripts adapted for the modern B2B buyer, plus the strategy to make them dynamic.
Key takeaways
- Pattern Interrupts matter. The first 5 seconds determine the success of the call. You must break the buyer's automatic "reject" reflex. Syrenn – Top 10 Cold Call Openers in 2025
- Permission beats persistence. Asking for permission to speak ("Do you have 27 seconds?") increases success rates by lowering pressure. Cognism – Cold Calling Scripts 2025
- Context is the new currency. Cold calls aren't truly "cold" anymore. Using intent data turns a script into a relevant consultation. Martal Group – Best Cold Call Opening Lines
- Static scripts break. A PDF script fails the moment the prospect goes off-track. Real-time guidance is the only way to maintain flow. McKinsey – The State of AI 2025
Table of contents
- The Anatomy of a Perfect Opener
- Script 1: The "Permission-Based" Cold Call
- Script 2: The "Referral" Opener
- Script 3: The Inbound Lead (Speed to Lead)
- Script 4: The "Lost Lead" Follow-Up
- Script 5: The Gatekeeper Ally
- The Reality Check: When Scripts Break
- How Nomi fits
The Anatomy of a Perfect Opener
Before you copy-paste the templates below, understand the physics of a call. Every successful script follows this 3-part structure:
- The Pattern Interrupt: Stop them from hanging up immediately.
- The Context (The "Why"): Why are you calling them specifically right now?
- The Low-Friction Ask: Don't ask for 30 minutes. Ask for interest.
For more templates, check out Nextiva’s 25 Free Cold Calling Scripts.
Script 1: The "Permission-Based" Cold Call
Best for: Pure outbound prospecting where the prospect doesn't know you.
Why it works: It gives the control back to the prospect, which paradoxically makes them more likely to listen.
Rep: "Hi [Name], this is [Your Name] from [Company]. I know I’m calling you out of the blue here. Do you have 27 seconds to tell me to get lost?"
Prospect: (Usually laughs) "Uh, sure, go ahead."
Rep: "Appreciate it. I noticed you’re currently hiring for [Role], which usually means your team is struggling with [Pain Point]. We help companies like [Competitor/Peer] automate that process so they don't have to hire headcount just to fix admin work.
Rep: "I'm not sure if that's a priority for you right now, but would you be open to learning how they did it?"
Script 2: The "Referral" Opener
Best for: When you have a mutual connection (even a weak one).
Why it works: It borrows trust from a third party immediately.
Rep: "Hi [Name], I’m giving you a call because I was just speaking with [Mutual Connection] over at [Company]. They mentioned you were the expert when it comes to [Topic] at your organization."
Rep: "We helped [Mutual Connection] reduce their [Cost/Time] by [X%], and they thought you might be facing a similar challenge with [Project]."
Rep: "Curious if [Topic] is on your radar for this quarter?"
Script 3: The Inbound Lead (Speed to Lead)
Best for: Someone who downloaded an ebook or requested a demo.
Why it works: It connects the dots between their action and your value.
Rep: "Hi [Name], I saw you just downloaded our guide on [Topic]. Typically, when folks read that, they are trying to figure out [Problem A] or [Problem B]. I was curious which one sparked your interest?"
Prospect: "Mostly Problem A."
Rep: "Makes sense. That's the most common one. We actually have a tailored resource specifically for Problem A that goes deeper than the ebook. Would you be against me sharing that with you briefly?"
Once you have them engaged, transition immediately to your discovery questions.
Script 4: The "Lost Lead" Follow-Up
Best for: A prospect who ghosted you or said "not now" 6 months ago.
Why it works: It uses "Chris Voss" style negotiation (No-oriented questions) to provoke a response.
Rep: "Hi [Name], I’m calling to see if you've given up on fixing [Pain Point]?"
Prospect: "No, we haven't given up, we just got busy."
Rep: "Understood. The reason I'm reaching out is that we just released [New Feature] that specifically addresses the blocker you mentioned last time.
Rep: "If I sent you a 30-second video of how it works, would you watch it?"
Script 5: The Gatekeeper Ally
Best for: Getting past the Executive Assistant or Receptionist.
Why it works: Most reps treat gatekeepers as obstacles. This script treats them as partners.
Rep: "Hi, this is [Your Name]. I'm going to be honest, I'm looking for [Decision Maker] but I’m not sure if they are the right person to speak to about [Topic]. I was hoping you could help me out?"
Gatekeeper: "What is this regarding?"
Rep: "We work with [Industry] companies to fix [Problem]. Usually, that falls under the CFO, but sometimes it's the VP of Ops. In your organization, who usually handles [Topic]?"
The Reality Check: When Scripts Break
Here is the hard truth: A script only works for the first 15 seconds.
The moment the prospect replies, your script is useless.
- If they ask a complex question, you need to know the answer.
- If they throw a curveball objection, you need to handle it.
- If they show interest, you need to pivot to discovery.
If you are stuck reading a PDF, you will sound robotic when you try to adapt. This is why you need objection handling scripts that are accessible instantly.
How Nomi fits
Nomi takes these static templates and turns them into a Living Playbook.
- Script Prompts: Nomi displays the opening script on your screen when the call connects.
- Dynamic Adaptation: If the prospect says "We use a competitor," Nomi instantly replaces the opening script with the Competitor Battle Card.
- Next Steps: It guides you from the script into the discovery phase seamlessly.
Your reps stop sounding like robots reading from a page and start sounding like trusted advisors.
Ready to ditch the PDFs? Try Nomi for free.