So, you’ve heard about Connectandsell and you’re wondering if it’s really going to make cold calling less painful—or at least more productive. If you’re new to this tool, you’re in the right place. This guide is for hands-on sales folks, SDRs, or managers who want a clear, honest walkthrough of getting their first campaign up and running. No fluff, no sales pitch, just what you need to know to get started (and not look silly in front of your team).
What is Connectandsell?
First things first: Connectandsell is a sales acceleration platform that aims to supercharge outbound calling. In plain English, it automates the tedious part of dialing numbers, navigating phone trees, and waiting for someone to pick up—so your reps spend more time actually talking. When it works, it feels like magic. But, like any tool, there’s a learning curve and plenty of gotchas.
If your team mostly relies on email or LinkedIn, this is a different ball game. It’s fast, intense, and you need to be ready to talk when the beep comes. Let’s walk through setting up your first campaign.
Step 1: Get Your Account Ready
You can’t run before you walk. Before anything, make sure you have:
- An active Connectandsell login (provided by your admin or vendor rep)
- A list of target contacts (CSV or Excel)
- A script or talk track (optional, but highly recommended)
- A headset and stable internet (seriously, don’t skip this)
Pro tip: If you don’t have your own account, ask your admin to invite you. Permissions can be a pain, so get this sorted early.
What to ignore
Skip the fancy “integrations” talk for now. You don’t need Salesforce or Outreach connected to run your very first campaign. Focus on the basics.
Step 2: Prep Your Calling List
Your list is your ammo. Garbage in, garbage out. Connectandsell is only as good as the phone numbers you feed it.
- Start small. For your first campaign, work with 50–100 contacts. You’ll learn faster, and mistakes won’t be a disaster.
- Clean your data. Make sure you have:
- Accurate phone numbers (direct dials work best)
- First/last names
- Company names
- Any notes you want handy
Pro tip: Don’t just export “all leads” from your CRM. Pick a segment you actually want to talk to—like a specific industry or job title.
What doesn’t matter (yet)
Don’t obsess over adding custom fields or scoring leads for this first run. You’re just trying to get the basics working.
Step 3: Log In and Navigate the Dashboard
Connectandsell’s interface isn’t going to win design awards. It’s functional, not pretty.
- Go to the login page and enter your credentials.
- Poke around the dashboard. Find:
- The “Lists” or “Upload Contacts” section
- The “Start Session” or “Launch Campaign” button
- Settings for your profile and headset
If you feel lost, ask your admin for a five-minute screen share. Don’t waste an hour clicking around.
Step 4: Upload Your List
- Go to “Upload Contacts” or “Import List.”
- Select your CSV or Excel file.
- Map the columns. Double-check that “Phone Number” is mapped correctly—this is the number one mistake new users make.
- Name your list something obvious, like “June-IT-Prospects.”
Pro tip: If you get a weird error, it’s probably a formatting issue—extra spaces, weird characters, or missing headers. Open your file in Notepad or Google Sheets and make sure it’s clean.
Step 5: Set Up (or Review) Your Script
When the connection happens, you’ll have about two seconds to sound like a human. Scripts help, but don’t read them like a robot.
- Use a short opener (“Hi, this is Sarah from Acme…”) and a simple reason for your call.
- Have a one-liner value prop ready.
- Prepare for common objections (“Not interested,” “Busy now,” “Send info”).
- Add a question or call to action (“Would you be the right person to discuss X?”).
Most platforms let you load your script into the interface. If not, just keep it in a separate window or print it out.
What to ignore: Don’t try to write out every possible response. You’ll freeze up. Focus on the first 20 seconds and how you’ll ask for the meeting.
Step 6: Start Your First Session
This is where things get real.
- Plug in your headset. Make sure you’re somewhere quiet.
- Click “Start Session” or “Launch Campaign.”
- Dial in to the bridge line (Connectandsell uses a phone bridge to connect you to live calls).
- Wait for the beep. The system will dial numbers in the background. The moment a live human picks up, you’ll hear a beep in your headset and be instantly connected.
Pro tip: Don’t multitask. You might get a live call in 10 seconds—or 10 minutes. Be ready to talk, or you’ll miss your shot.
What doesn’t work
Trying to work on emails while waiting for a beep. You’ll get caught off guard. Stay sharp.
Step 7: Handle Conversations and Log Outcomes
Once you’re connected, you’re on. Have your script handy, but don’t read it word for word. Focus on:
- Getting to the point fast
- Listening for cues
- Booking meetings or qualifying out
After each call, the system will ask you to log the outcome. Typical options:
- Connected, meeting set
- Not interested
- No answer/voicemail
- Call back later
Be honest—don’t fudge the results just to look good on reports.
Pro tip: Take a few seconds after each call to jot down quick notes. It’ll help you remember who’s who if you call again.
Step 8: Review Your Results
After the session, check your stats:
- How many calls were made?
- How many conversations did you have?
- Any meetings booked?
- Common objections or patterns?
Don’t stress if your numbers are low at first. It takes a few sessions to get the hang of the cadence and pacing.
What to ignore: Don’t obsess over “connect rates” versus industry benchmarks. Focus on getting comfortable and improving your own results.
Step 9: Follow Up and Iterate
Your first campaign probably won’t be perfect. That’s fine. Here’s what matters:
- Follow up with any warm leads right away (email, calendar invite, whatever works).
- Tweak your list or script based on what you learned. If you heard the same objection five times, adjust your opener or target different people.
- Ask for feedback from your team or manager. Most admins have seen dozens of rookie mistakes—let them help.
Honest Takes: What Works and What Doesn’t
- Works: Fast dialing, more live conversations, easy to track calls.
- Doesn’t: Won’t fix a bad list or a weak pitch. If your product isn’t a fit, no tool can save you.
- Ignore: Overcomplicating your setup. Keep it simple until you’ve run several campaigns.
Final Thoughts
Setting up your first Connectandsell campaign isn’t rocket science, but it does take a little patience and a willingness to experiment. Don’t stress about being perfect. Start small, keep things simple, and treat it as a learning process. The more you use it, the smoother it gets. Iterate, adjust, and remember: the tool just gets you into conversations—what you say next is still up to you.