Cold Calls, 1,000‑Acre Wins: How One Cold Call Sparked a Major Land Acquisition
Let’s talk about cold calls.
You know — those awkward, unsolicited calls that most people ignore, block, or hang up on in under five seconds.
Now imagine one of those cold calls turning into a full-day property tour, with a landowner driving you around 1,000+ acres of prime land, talking about the project opportunity and the future.
That happened. And it was Day 1 of a new project.
The Call That Didn’t Go to Voicemail
I cold-called this landowner expecting the usual: voicemail, maybe a text back in six months, or the infamous “Not interested.”
But this guy? He actually answered. And he was skeptical — real skeptical.
He told me, straight up:
“I get a hundred calls like this a year. Why should I listen to you?”
Fair question.
So I did what I always do: kept it real, explained our client’s project in plain language, and let him know we weren’t just looking to “tie up land” — we were looking to build something that made sense for him too.
Next thing I know, we’re meeting in person.
Then we’re driving through fields, past fences, and across miles of his 1,000+ acre property — talking plans, utilities, and where infrastructure could go.
It wasn’t a transaction. It was a collaboration.
What Made the Difference?
✅ I called with a purpose
✅ I was clear, direct, and respectful
✅ I followed up — and actually showed up
He told me,
“Most people don’t even get past my gate. You got in the truck.”
OK — he didn’t tell me that, but it would’ve made this story even cooler. 😄
That’s the difference good cold calling makes in this business. It’s not a numbers game — it’s a trust game.
Takeaways for ROW Pros
• Don’t underestimate the power of a strong cold open. If your first 15 seconds aren’t clear, you’re toast. (The HOOK is everything!)
• Know your project, speak the landowner’s language, and be ready to explain why it matters to them. (Hook them with crystal-clear communication of the ask — and why.)
• If you get a callback — or even a hint of interest — follow through. Fast.
Not every landowner is going to take your call. And most won’t drive you around for hours, showing you every nook of their property.
But every once in a while — with the right message and a little persistence — you get a “yes” that turns into real momentum.
Cold calling works… when you do it right.