Direct Dials: How To Get The Direct Phone Number For Cold Call?

Look, I’ll be deada*s honest with you. The entire purpose of this article is to convince you that direct dial numbers are BAD and private mobile phone numbers are GOOD.

But why, though?

Studies show that sales reps who connect with decision-makers directly are 147% more likely to close deals than those who don’t.

Now, guess which app is the best sales software for finding anyone’s phone number and connecting you directly with decision-makers?

DING DING DING! 🛎️ BetterContact. Now, am I flexing? No. Hear me out…

You’ve probably experienced the frustration of endless phone transfers and gatekeepers standing between you and your ideal prospect.

Whether you’re a seasoned sales pro or just starting out in outbound lead generation, these seven proven methods will transform your outreach game and help you bypass the dreaded “please hold” music forever.

What is a Direct Dial?

A direct dial number is a company-assigned phone number that allows you to reach a specific person or department directly without going through an operator or automated menu.

What Is the Difference Between Direct Dials and Mobile Phone Numbers?

The main difference between direct dials and mobile phone numbers is their function and accessibility. A direct dial is a company-assigned number that reaches a specific person or department without an operator or menu. A mobile phone number is linked to a cellular device, allowing calls anywhere with service.

Are Direct Dials Still Important?

If a company or blog says Direct Dial is better than Mobile Phone Numbers, they’re lying through their teeth.

Everyone and their grandma call the direct dials. If you still use direct dials, what edge do you have?

Gathering mobile phone numbers is hard.

Now, imagine the edge you’d have over your competitors if you had a tool connecting all the popular tools under one dashboard for a stupid, simple, affordable subscription. Yes, that’d skyrocket your reach rate.

So, you tell me, how could direct dial still be important?

Here’s what one of our users says –

Why Are Mobile Phone Numbers Better Than Direct Dials?

This table should convey the message properly.

Feature	Mobile Phone Numbers	Direct Dials
Type	Personal mobile phone number	Company-assigned phone number
Access to Decision-Makers	Direct access to decision-makers	Connect to decision-makers, but not always
Remote Work Accessibility	Reach prospects even if they work remotely	Cannot reach them if they are out of the office
Availability	Not easily accessible, making them less abused	Easily accessible, often overused by sales reps
Competitive Advantage	Provides an edge over competitors	Commonly used, reducing effectiveness

How to Find Direct Dials: 7 Proven Ways

From sales intelligence platforms to LinkedIn networking strategies, we got it all.

Methods to help you find direct dials bypass gatekeepers and connect directly with decision-makers.

Let’s explore seven proven methods:

1. Use Sales Intelligence

When you’re on the hunt for direct dials, sales intelligence platforms are your best bet.

These powerful tools let you filter through extensive B2B contact data to find exactly who you need to reach, making your outbound sales efforts more efficient.

Leading providers like BetterContact, Kaspr, Cognism offer GDPR-compliant mobile phone numbers across NAM, EMEA, and APAC regions.

Since you’re looking for cell phone data, BetterContact is the market leader, with absolute coverage in the US, UK, and DACH regions. BetterContact utilizes waterfall enrichment to access data from 20-plus providers. Their phone verification process is so good that it ensures your teams can call without fear of bounce.

If you only have partial information, you can still get the Mobile phone numbers of your prospects.

⭕Only LinkedIn Profiles:

Just upload the CSV in BetterContact, and you’ll get the phone numbers

⭕Only Website:

Upload the websites in Apollo or Clay to find your ICP’s profile, and then utilize BetterContact to find the mobile phone numbers.

⭕Only Brand Name:

Upload the brand names in Apollo, then find your ICP’s profile and scrape the information using Export Apollo. Then, upload the CSV to BetterContact to find the cell phone numbers.

⭕Only Brand Name V2:

Upload the brand names in Clay, use Clearbit or Clay’s enrichment to convert them into websites, and find your ICP’s LinkedIn profile. Then, upload the CSV to BetterContact to find their cell phone numbers.

2. Check Prospects Website

A surprisingly simple (and free!)) way to find direct dials is to check your prospect’s company website.

Head to their “Contact Us” page or team directory, where you might strike gold with contact info for key decision-makers.

While this method works best for small businesses and public organizations that openly share direct dialing numbers and email finding is straightforward, it’s not at all scalable for larger companies.

For larger companies, you will need help from tools like Cognism, Kaspr, or Apollo Chrome extension, which reveals employee details on company websites.

✅ Check team directories
✅ Look for “Contact Us” sections
✅ Scan executive bios
✅ Review “About Us” pages

The upside? When you find contact details this way, they’re typically up-to-date and reliable.

Plus, companies that publish their phone numbers are usually more receptive to cold calling.

Just remember, manual searching can be time-consuming, so consider using specialized tools for larger-scale prospecting.

3. Look up LinkedIn

LinkedIn can be a goldmine for finding direct-dial phone numbers to build your cold call list, especially if you know where to look.

Start by checking the prospect’s profile under “Contact Info.” You’d be surprised to see how many people publicly list their B2B contact details.

⭕You can also, try using a LinkedIn Chrome extension like Surfe as your contact finder tool. It’ll uncover prospect mobile phone numbers even when they’re not publicly listed.

The best part? You can access accurate contact details with just one click and export them.

While not everyone displays their contact data openly on LinkedIn, combining manual searching with a Chrome extension gives you the best shot at finding the valuable direct dials you need.

4. Convince The Gatekeeper

When seeking direct contact with high-quality prospects, gatekeepers can actually become your allies in securing direct dial numbers and ideal buyers’ availability.

What is the key to successful conversations with leads through gatekeepers? Treat them with genuine respect.

Be friendly and professional – these gatekeepers might jhare valuable contact info or direct dial numbers you seek

✨ Pro tips for success:

• Call during off-peak hours
• Build genuine rapport
• Explain your purpose clearly
• Ask about the best time to reach the executive
• Thank them for their help

To expand your customer base, train your sales team to handle gatekeepers to get the prospect’s attention.

While they might’ve strict instructions about sales triggers, a well-handled interaction could result in valuable contact data or insights about when to reach your prospect.

5. Ask The Prospect

Sales reps seeking accurate phone numbers forget this one simple thing.

Sometimes, the simplest solutions are hidden in plain sight. Why not just ask your prospects for their phone numbers?

Yes, asking straight up for their phone number on LinkedIn or in a cold email might be creepy. But if your copy is just right, you can get it.

You could start by introducing yourself, explaining your purpose, and suggesting scheduling a phone call.

This approach helps build trust and opens the door for direct contact.

1. Send a friendly introduction
2. Request a convenient time to chat
3. Wait for their response

If prospects respond by sharing their contact information, such as their direct dials or mobile phones, it’s a positive signal that they’re genuinely interested in what you have to say.

6. Look For Referrals

Three powerful ways to find direct dial numbers exist through your professional network! 🤝

1. When you’ve identified a promising prospect, take a moment to scan your existing connections – you might be surprised to discover mutual contacts who can help.
2. Contact the common connections and ask if they’d be willing to share the prospect’s direct phone number or Make an Introduction.
3. While some contacts might hesitate to provide numbers immediately, they’ll often facilitate a warm introduction that can lead to getting those details later.

✨ The best part? Network referrals yield higher connection rates than cold outreach, and they’re completely free!

7. Check Email Signature

Anyone who’s ever received a professional email knows that signatures often contain a treasure trove of contact details. When hunting for direct dials, don’t overlook this goldmine of information.

While this method is not scalable at all but it works.

Prospects often include their business contacts or phone numbers next to their job titles in their email signatures, making it easier to build complete contact profiles.

You can also contact colleagues who might have email addresses or previous correspondence with your prospect.

Sometimes, the direct line you’re searching for is hiding in plain sight!

To Wrap It All Up

Finding direct dials is like piecing together a puzzle—you’ve got multiple pieces that fit together perfectly. You’ll want to leverage every tool, from sales intelligence platforms to good old-fashioned networking.

Combining these seven methods strategically will boost your connection rates and crush your sales goals. Remember: persistence pays off, and there’s always more than one way to get that direct dial.

FAQ