Hey there, Vendpreneur!

Welcome to Becoming a Vendpreneur—where every week I help you navigate the challenges of running a vending machine business, whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your operation.

This week, I want to talk about cold calling and how to do it the right way to secure a location. I’ll be diving into:

• How to cold call effectively

• How to take it further with in-person visits

But before we jump into more details, I want to share a few quick updates on my two vending businesses, Pod Plug and Vending Machine LaunchPad (VMLP):

Business Updates

• 🤝 Finally finalized our partnership 6 months in the making with our lender - I am so glad to announce our future franchisees will be able to RENT machines from us for as low as $150/mo!

• 📈 Sandler sales training session 1 in the books. Learned how to create and track effective leading indicators and KPIs. For example one of my KPIs is to close 4 deals this month. My leading indicator would be do make 30 cold calls a day.

• 💻 Had a demo today with a leading franchise CRM company called FranConnect - it's a comprehensive system where we could automate franchisee royalties, the franchise sales process, training and documentation and a lot more.

• 🎯 Onboarded Gee, our first ever Procurement Specialist for Pod Plug - now ordering inventory and following trends can be taken off my plate haha.

• 🚀 We have a new VMLP member joining next week! We can't wait to create his custom website, logo, flyer, brochure, business cards, and company polo.

Now, let’s dive into this week’s newsletter!

🔗 Best Links

Curated picks for vending entrepreneurs

📱 Top Reads

• How a love for photography inspired a book on Japan's unique vending culture. (Field Mag)

• Chadstone introduces gift-card vending machines just in time for the festive season. (Campaign Brief)

😱 Trending Now

• Hair care on demand! This vending machine stocked with styling essentials is TikTok's latest obsession. 💇‍♀️✨ (TikTok)

• The holiday spirit is here! Meet the giving vending machine spreading joy and generosity. 🎁❤️ (TikTok)

Don’t underestimate what one cold call can do.

That single call could be the move that kickstarts your vending journey.

This could be your story. All it takes is that first step.

In this newsletter, we’re breaking it down into 2 parts:

1. Cold Calls - Cold calling still works, and I’ll explain why. You’ll learn how to get decision-makers to listen.

2. In-Person Visits - After you’ve made the call, it’s time to meet in person. Face-to-face visits secure the location!

Whether you’re just starting or ready to scale, this approach will get you moving in the right direction.

Ready to turn those calls into contracts? Let’s dive in! 👇

Part 1: Cold Calling Made Simple

Cold calling is one of the fastest ways to reach decision-makers.

Unlike emails or social media, cold calling gets straight to the point. You’re having a real-time conversation, which often leads to quicker decisions.

If you want locations, start dialing.

Here are 5 best practices when initiating a cold call:

1. Set Daily Targets

• Aim for 10 calls per hour, ensuring you maintain focus and energy throughout the session.

• Establish a daily goal of making 50+ calls to maximize your chances of connecting with decision-makers.

• Use tracking tools like a spreadsheet or CRM to monitor your progress.

2. Timing is Key

• Target peak decision-making hours, such as 9-11 AM or 1-5 PM.

• Avoid lunchtime hours (12-1 PM), when many decision-makers are unavailable.

3. Use a Well-Prepared Script

Prepare a script tailored to vending opportunities. Include:

• An engaging opener

• A value proposition

• A clear call-to-action

Anticipate objections like space constraints, revenue sharing, or maintenance concerns, and have concise responses ready. For example:

• Objection: “We don’t have space for a vending machine.”

• Response: “Our machines are compact and wall-mounted, perfect for locations with limited space. Can I send you photos of what they look like?”

P.S. Want more details? Check out my cold call playbook—the same one that helped me grow from 0 to 100+ machines in just 5 years. I still use it today!

4. Follow-Up is Critical

• Missed calls or uncommitted leads aren’t a dead end. Re-engage within 48-72 hours.

• Use follow-up calls or emails to reaffirm your interest and value proposition:

5. Log Every Call

After each call, jot down:

• Contact name and role.

• Key insights: Do they currently use vending machines? What are their pain points?

• Outcome: Did they agree to a follow-up? Are they undecided?

Use this information to personalize future interactions and build rapport.

Part 2: In-Person Visits to Take Your Cold Calls Further

After a successful cold call, an in-person meeting is your best chance to close the deal.

For me, face-to-face conversations have a 75-80% success rate, making them one of the most effective ways to lock down locations.

Meeting in person helps you handle concerns on the spot and show the value of your vending services.

Here’s what you need to know before heading out:

1. Build Rapport First

Begin with casual, friendly conversation to put the decision-maker at ease. Ask about their business, customers, or recent challenges they may be facing.

2. Demonstrate Professionalism

Bring printed brochures or a one-pager with key details about your vending services.

If you don’t have one yet, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

Check out these resources below for step-by-step guides on creating materials that grab attention and help you close deals!

3. Choose the Right Timing

Visit during quieter business hours when decision-makers are more likely to have time to talk:

• For gyms or fitness centers: Mid-afternoon when traffic is slower.

• For offices: Late morning or early afternoon when meetings have typically wrapped up.

• For bars and nightclubs: Early in the afternoon before the evening rush.

Call ahead to confirm availability.

4. Rehearse and Dress for Success

Rehearse your pitch to ensure confidence and clarity. Practice addressing common objections so you can respond smoothly. Example:

• Objection: “I’m not sure our customers would use a vending machine.”

• Response: “We’ve seen great success in similar locations, with over 300 purchases per month. Our goal is to make it risk-free for you.”

Dress professionally yet appropriately for the location.

For example, business casual works well for offices, while a more relaxed but polished look might suit bars and lounges.

5. Final Touches

These final steps ensure you leave a lasting impression and close with confidence:

• Scout the location

• Follow up immediately

• Leverage testimonials and case studies

And That’s a Wrap!

Cold calls break the ice, but in-person meetings close the deal.

Meeting face-to-face builds trust and proves your vending services are reliable. Together, these strategies boost your chances of landing prime locations.

Thanks for reading this week’s newsletter.

Hit reply and let me know what you found most helpful this week—I read every single reply and I’d love to hear from you!

See you next Saturday!

-Ethan