I’ve spent over a decade on the phone. Thousands of calls, hundreds of scripts, every “magic opener” you’ve seen floating around online. Most of them sound great in theory. In practice? They fall flat.
The truth is, you’ve got less than five seconds to prove you’re worth listening to. If you miss that window, there’s no recovery.
You’ll never get to the value, the discovery, or the close.
After years of testing, tweaking, and tracking what actually gets people to stay on the line, I’ve found only three openers that consistently earn a real conversation.
These are simple, honest, and repeatable. You can memorize them today and start using them tomorrow.
Let’s break them down.
✅ POWERDIAL EDGE: MY THREE CONSISTENT KILLER-OPENERS
1. "Hey (prospect), this is Sheriff from Deel. I know you’re not expecting this call, so I’ll keep it very brief."
✔ Why it works: It’s polite and transparent. You disarm them before they can object. Acknowledging the interruption builds trust and lowers resistance, buying you an extra 10–15 seconds… time you can use to deliver your hook.
Pro tip: Keep your tone calm and relaxed, as if you’re calling an old contact. Smile as you say “brief.” It changes your tone, and they’ll feel it.
Best for: Busy executives and decision-makers who hear sales calls every day and value directness.
2. "Hey (prospect), Sheriff here from Deel. I saw you had employees in 4 different countries and had an idea I wanted to run by you!"
✔ Why it works: It’s confident and contextual. You’re not pitching, you’re inviting a quick exchange. The phrase “an idea I wanted to run by you” creates curiosity and subtly flips the dynamic. You’re not seeking permission; you’re starting a conversation.
Pro tip: Use this when you have a specific insight; something about their company, team, or expansion that makes the call feel intentional.
3. "Hey (prospect), Sheriff from Deel. I’ll be upfront, this is a sales call that won’t take more than 30 seconds to explain."
✔ Why it works: It’s bold and disarming. You’re saying what they’re already thinking. That honesty earns respect and piques curiosity. Most people stay on the line just to see if you’ll actually do it—and that’s your chance to deliver value fast.
Pro tip: When your 30 seconds are up, pause and say, “Want me to keep going?” You’ll be surprised how often they say yes.
BEFORE YOU CLOSE THIS TAB
When you pick up that phone tomorrow, choose your tone with purpose.
👉 Be calm-confident — not hyped or rehearsed. Studies show that in cold-calls, tone often matters more than the exact words.
👉 Be approachable — your prospect expects interruption, so you owe them brief respect. Start like you’re asking for a small favour, not selling a large commitment.
👉 Be curious, not desperate — your voice should communicate, “I’m here because I noticed something interesting about you,” not “Please pick me.” Good openers work because they show you’ve done your homework, not because they’re slick.
Imagine the moment you say your line. A short pause after your name. A steady pace. A subtle smile. The silence on the other end doesn’t feel like rejection. It feels like attention being granted. That’s your window.
You’ve now learned the three openers that earn you that window. Your job now is to own the tone, respect the time, and treat the next 10-15 seconds as the real transaction. Because once you’ve bought that time, the rest is easier.
When you hang up tonight, ask yourself: Did I sound like someone worth staying on the line for?
Cheers
— The Sheriff in Town
