Using AI for phone sales scripts that get results

The era of AI is here, and there are many ways to use artificial intelligence to help make your business more efficient or, simply, better. It might be easier to see how AI can help you in some areas versus others, like making simple graphics or analyzing data.

If you’re looking to improve your sales organization, it might not be as easy. You can’t replace sales agents with AI after all, that human touch is so important for gaining and maintaining clients. AI for sales is much more subtle.

Learn more: Tips for virtual call centers

Cold calls and follow-ups are notoriously difficult, but you can use AI to craft sales scripts that can take your organization to a new level. We’ll go over what that means and get you started with some great prompts you can use right away to get results.

What is an AI prompt?

Let’s start with the basics. What in the world is a prompt? Simply, a prompt is what you type into ChatGPT or other Large Language Model (LLM) AI that get it to create an output. It’s called a prompt because you’re “prompting” it to create or generate something, whether that’s content, a chart, information, analysis, images or video.

Why AI won’t replace sales reps (but will make them better)

Think of it like asking a person to do something for you – with a twist. AI isn’t human, they’re essentially very advanced and intelligent prediction machines. They do their best to understand what your prompt is saying, search their knowledge base and then they predict what the best response could be, word by word.

A bad prediction, when AI messes up, is why you get hallucinations, where it feels like the AI is making up information or lying to you. That’s why it’s important to write a good, clear prompt that can help the AI. You’ll also want to do some fact checking on your own to make sure the information you are using is accurate.

AI prompt tips and tricks

There are two important pillars to abide by when it comes to prompts: context and clarity. The context of the prompt is to provide as much relevant background information as possible so that the AI knows what information to include and, maybe more importantly, what information not to include.

Read more: AI tips for small businesses

For example, you can upload a document or a series of documents and tell the AI to only reference that information for any responses to your prompt. You can also use old sales scripts you may have and improve or rewrite them based on specific conditions you outline.

That brings us to the second pillar: clarity. You need to provide clear, detailed instructions on what you want the AI to do and how you want it to do it. For example, if you want a certain tone (light, friendly) then tell it that. If you want it to explain pricing and focus on that, be explicit in your prompt.

You also need to keep certain things in mind when writing a prompt. Humans naturally fill in gaps, infer thoughts and can make connections when people mess up speaking, say the wrong word or even the wrong metaphors. We understand context really, really well. That’s a little more difficult for AI, so write your prompt as clearly as possible so that it can’t be misinterpreted easily.

What makes a great prompt

Have AI role play. We’re not joking. It can be valuable to have an AI like ChatGPT or Claude role play for the function you want. For example, you can tell it to imagine it’s a great insurance salesperson and to write some great cold call scripts you can use for your team, then give it the relevant documentation it can draw from. This tends to prime AI, focusing its response on certain parts of its knowledge base rather than others since LLMs like ChatGPT are built to be a lot of different things rather than specific things.

Iterative questioning. Don’t always accept the first response AI gives you. Read it over and ask it to make changes or even ask it why it did certain things. If you read over a piece of information and it’s wrong, tell it. What usually happens is the AI will admit it made a mistake and correct itself. They will also go back to the drawing board and fix or adjust the scripts based on your feedback.

Keep using it. ChatGPT and other AI tools can maintain context within a conversation and learn your preferences over time during extended interactions. The more you use it, the more it learns about how you use it and will get better at giving you responses that are tailored to your style. However, this means you need to keep using it over a medium- or long-term basis. If you just need a set of scripts then you may want to spend a couple days playing around with different ideas first, training the AI on your wants and needs before you get an even better answer later on.

Ask AI to make the prompt. You can also just ask the AI to give you what a great prompt would be. You can either use that or adjust it based on your preferences too. It may feel a bit odd to ask AI to create a prompt to use for AI, but if you’re in a pinch it can be helpful.

Common AI prompt pitfalls

It’s important to remember that you can accidentally do things that make your prompt ineffective. Here are some quick examples:

• Prompts that are too short or too vague.
• Forgetting to add what tone you want.
• Not uploading reference material.
• Giving conflicting instructions.

AI prompts that will get you results

Let’s get you using AI for sales. Here are 20 prompts we’ve tried out to get good cold call sales scripts.

1. “Imagine you’re a great salesperson. Using the information in the attached document about our product/service, generate 10 persuasive cold-call scripts that highlight our core benefits and solve the customer pain point of .”
2. “Based on the customer personas in the attached file, create 10 clear, concise cold-call scripts tailored to small businesses. Use proven sales techniques and keep each script under 30 seconds.”
3. “Using AI best practices, write 10 cold-call scripts that hook attention within the first 5 seconds. Imagine you’re a great salesperson explaining [product/service] and referencing the key features listed in the uploaded materials.”
4. “Review the attached proposal or brochure and craft 12 highly effective cold-call scripts that emphasize the value propositions listed in the document. Make them warm, professional, and easy for a small business owner to use.”
5. “Imagine you’re an award-winning salesperson. Using the product details in the attached file, create 10 cold-call openers designed to quickly uncover whether a prospect struggles with [pain point].”
6. “Using information from the attached sales sheet, produce 10 cold-call scripts focused on presenting our solution as the easiest way to improve [desired outcome]. Follow AI prompting best practices for clarity and structure.”
7. “Create 10 cold-call scripts for small businesses that clearly communicate the benefits of our offer. Use the attached case study for examples of social proof and measurable results.”
8. “Imagine you’re a great salesperson with deep knowledge of our product. Using the attached document as context, write 10 curiosity-driven cold-call scripts that make the prospect want to hear more.”
9. “With the talking points listed in the attached file, generate 10 cold-call scripts specifically designed to get past gatekeepers and reach decision-makers.”
10. “Using the attached competitor comparison sheet, create 10 cold-call scripts that gently highlight weaknesses in alternative solutions and position our offer as the superior choice.”
11. “Imagine you’re a great salesperson. Using details from the uploaded content, craft 10 appointment-setting cold-call scripts that qualify leads before booking time.”
12. “Write 12 cold-call scripts that politely ask for permission to share why we’re calling. Use information from the attached product overview to explain the value in one sentence.”
13. “Using the attached data sheet, create 10 cold-call scripts focused on cost savings, efficiency, or ROI. Follow prompt engineering best practices and make them adaptable.”
14. “Imagine you’re a persuasive small-business sales expert. Based on the attached marketing materials, craft 10 cold-call scripts using the Problem–Agitate–Solve method.”
15. “Using the details in the attached customer feedback file, create 10 cold-call scripts that emphasize real customer wins and outcomes.”
16. “Write 15 energetic, upbeat cold-call scripts for a small business. Use the attached document for product benefits and ensure each script uses a strong opening line.”
17. “Imagine you’re a great salesperson advising a small business. Based on the uploaded documents, create 10 soft, respectful cold-call scripts for busy decision-makers.”
18. “Using the information in the attached industry trends document, produce 10 cold-call scripts that position our offer as a timely solution to current market challenges.”
19. “With the sales messages in the attached file, write 10 cold-call scripts that quickly communicate a bold value proposition within the first sentence.”
20. “Imagine you’re a world-class sales trainer. Using the attached materials, create 15 general-purpose cold-call scripts any small business can use. Keep them structured, clear, and high-impact.”

Here are some follow-up sales scripts prompts you can use:

1. “Imagine you’re a great salesperson. Using details from the attached notes or CRM export, write 10 follow-up call scripts for prospects who showed initial interest but haven’t responded.”
2. “Based on the materials in the attached document, create 8 follow-up scripts that reference the prospect’s specific interest in [offer] and gently encourage next steps.”
3. “Using information from the uploaded conversation summary, write 10 follow-up scripts that recap the previous discussion and provide a clear, simple call to action.”
4. “Imagine you’re an expert at re-engaging leads. Using the attached product sheet, craft 10 follow-up call scripts designed to reignite interest after a week of no contact.”
5. “Using the value points listed in the attached file, create 10 follow-up scripts that remind prospects why [product/service] is worth considering.”
6. “Write 8 follow-up call scripts referencing success stories or case studies in the attached document. Make them short, friendly, and informative.”
7. “Imagine you’re a seasoned salesperson. Based on the notes in the uploaded document, create 10 follow-up scripts aimed at prospects who asked for time to think.”
8. “Using the challenges listed in the attached file, write 8 follow-up scripts that ask whether solving [pain point] is still a priority for the prospect.”
9. “Create 10 follow-up call scripts that offer a limited-time incentive. Use the attached pricing sheet or promotion details for accuracy and context.”
10. “Imagine you’re a polite, professional salesperson. Using the attached conversation log, create 10 final-attempt follow-up scripts that close the loop while leaving the door open.”

Here is a downloadable PDF cheat sheet you can share with your team

Improve your sales effectiveness with AI

Now that you’re armed with these prompts, you’re ready to work with AI to create scripts that can improve sales effectiveness and make your business more efficient. And if you’re looking to make your telecommunication more efficient, Ooma Office can help you take your business to the next step.