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# Case Study: 598% More Calls Led to 32% More Deals (Sales Calls Aren't Dead)
- URL: https://netpartners.marketing/case-study-598-more-calls-led-to-32-more-deals-sales-calls-arent-dead/
- Published: 2025-09-19T19:16:22.000Z
- Updated: 2025-09-19T19:27:41.000Z
- Description: Speed Matters More Than Perfection
- Author: Zoltan Juhasz
- Tags: CLOSE CRM

## TL;DR

Close tested calling ALL new trial users for 90 days. Result: 598% increase in calls made, 32% more deals closed. Turns out proactive calling works even for product-led growth companies. The key insight: speed + systematic approach = more revenue.

## The Bold Experiment

Most SaaS companies rely on self-service trials and avoid "bothering" prospects with sales calls. Close decided to challenge this assumption with a straightforward test:

**Hypothesis:** Proactive calling improves overall sales outcomes, even for leads that don't fit ideal customer profiles.

**Method:** Call new trial signups quickly after registration.

**Duration:** 90 days of systematic testing.

**Goal:** Prove or disprove that calling drives results in a product-led growth model.

[See the calling tools that made this 598% increase possible →](https://refer.close.com/8gibcc2siudi-ulezo?ref=netpartners.marketing)

## The Setup: How They Did It

**Team Structure:**

- Core sales team focused on ICP leads with strong signals
- One dedicated rep assigned to call non-ICP trial signups
- Goal: Quickly disqualify poor fits and identify hidden opportunities

**Technology Used:**

- Smart Views for filtered calling lists by industry
- Power Dialer for efficient call sequences
- Predictive Dialer for team calling sessions
- Custom Activity tracking for disqualification reasons

**Call Approach:**

- Reference their trial signup immediately
- Ask: "How's the trial going? What do you need to see to make a decision?"
- Focus on disqualification over selling
- Book discovery calls only for qualified prospects

## The Results: What Actually Happened

**Quantitative Results:**

- 598% increase in total calls made
- 32% increase in deals closed
- July and August became best months for new MRR in over 14 months
- Higher deal values despite fewer total meetings

**Qualitative Feedback:**

- "I wasn't expecting a phone call. I really like that personal touch."
- "You read my mind! You caught me at the perfect time."
- Prospects appreciated the immediate, human response

**Process Improvements:**

- Faster lead qualification and disqualification
- Better marketing-sales alignment
- More focused discovery meetings with qualified prospects
- Reduced time waste on poor-fit leads

[See the calling tools that made this 598% increase possible →](https://refer.close.com/8gibcc2siudi-ulezo?ref=netpartners.marketing)

## Key Strategy Changes

**From Reactive to Proactive**

- **Before:** Open calendars, lots of booking links, many meetings daily
- **After:** Blocked calling time, strategic outreach, quality over quantity

**Simplified Onboarding**

- **Before:** Comprehensive checklist potentially overwhelming trial users
- **After:** Focus on one key question: "What do you need to see to decide?"

**Better Qualification**

- **Before:** Lengthy discovery calls with unqualified prospects
- **After:** Quick disqualification calls, deep dives only with qualified leads

## The Call Script That Worked

**Opening:**

1. "Hi \[Name\], this is \[Your name\] from Close"
2. "You just signed up for a trial - how's it going so far?"
3. "What do you need to see from us to make a decision?"

**Follow-up Focus:**

- What's your current process for \[their use case\]?
- What's not working with your current setup?
- What's your timeline for making a decision?

**Outcome-Oriented:**

- Qualified: Book discovery call
- Unqualified: Helpful resources + graceful exit
- Timing issue: Follow-up sequence

## Key Learnings

**1\. Speed Matters More Than Perfection** Calling quickly beats waiting for perfect preparation.

**2\. Disqualification is as Valuable as Qualification**  
Quickly removing poor fits lets you focus on real opportunities.

**3\. Product-Led Growth + Proactive Sales Work Together** You don't have to choose between self-service and sales-assisted approaches.

**4\. Team Buy-in Requires Results** Showing the data got everyone excited about calling.

[See the calling tools that made this 598% increase possible →](https://refer.close.com/8gibcc2siudi-ulezo?ref=netpartners.marketing)

## FAQ

**Q: Won't calling annoy prospects who want self-service?** A: Most prospects appreciated the personal touch when positioned as helpful support, not sales pressure.

**Q: How do you balance calling with other sales activities?** A: Block dedicated calling time daily. Use efficient calling tools to maximize productivity.

**Q: What if our team resists making more calls?** A: Share the data showing results. Make calling sessions collaborative and engaging.

**Q: How quickly should we call after signup?** A: As soon as possible. Speed creates a positive impression and shows responsiveness.

**Q: What about prospects in different time zones?** A: Use appropriate calling hours and follow up with email/SMS outside calling hours.

---

[The Complete Sales Acceleration Playbook: 8 Proven Strategies That Actually WorkThe 8 Pillars of Sales Acceleration![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/01/d5/01d5859a-11f3-4d0f-8d1e-43bffd5eb371/content/images/icon/favicon-144.ico)GoHighLevel Playbooks and Marketing Automation for AgenciesZoltan Juhasz![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/01/d5/01d5859a-11f3-4d0f-8d1e-43bffd5eb371/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1565866039985-cc34b20ac6d5.jpeg)](https://netpartners.marketing/the-complete-sales-acceleration-playbook-8-proven-strategies-that-actually-work/)