You can always switch telemarketing companies of course, but it makes sense to think about starting out with a telemarketing company that can grow as you grow.  For example, an outside telemarketing call center may handle lead generation well.  But suppose you want to expand to appointment setting?  And what if there is an option for your product or service to become national or international?

A telemarketing company that can expand to other types of telemarketing will make it easier for you in the long run.  Eventually, your company may want to expand to off-shore telemarketing.  Typically, this type of telemarketing is for companies with huge prospect lists and the cost per call becomes a major factor.  Off-shore telemarketing can be significantly less expensive.

Or what if your company wants to add in-bound customer service?  If your business product or service has the potential for expanding beyond your current telemarketing company’s range, you may want to consider  outsourcing with a telemarketing service that has all the services you will need in the future.  This could save you from needing to switch later, as your business needs grow.

Posted: January 3rd, 2008 under Appointment Setting, Call Centers, Lead Generation, Off-shore Call Centers, Telemarketing Sales, Telemarketing Services.
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There are telemarketing calls that we all don’t mind receiving!  Most would disagree, but think about it… 

Aren’t you happy to get a call from your insurance company about a new product or rate that will lower your expense, or increase protection that you need?  And isn’t it helpful when the office supply calls your business and lets you know about the sale this month on the product you order regularly?

It’s a fact that people do buy over the phone.  And telemarketing calls are the source of these sales.  The key is “target marketing.”   Again and again, prospects say that if the call is “timely and relevant”, they will likely respond.  That’s why the DMA (Direct Marketing Association) continues to report that telemarketing has the highest response rate of all marketing types. 

Posted: December 28th, 2007 under Call Centers, Lead Generation.
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Interruption marketing is what is usually referred to as Cold Calling.  In other words, a prospect is called on the phone and has no warning that they will be called.  The primary complaint from the receivers of these calls is that they are being interrupted without their consent.

You have to telemarket prospects by interrupting them, don’t you?  Well, maybe not!  More and more companies are either buying calling lists or setting up their own calling lists based on a prospect’s willingness and approval to receive such calls.  Service telemarketing, or request telemarketing means that a prospect has been asked if they want to be up-dated on future sales or other important news about certain products.  A prospect freely asks for this type of notifacation and is then open to receiving such calls.

In the old days, a “warm lead” was called a “foot in the door,” meaning the lead was already willing to hear about a new product.  These new “request lists” are just the opposite of the interruption lists because the prospects has requested this call.  Why not ask your customers if they want to be up-dated occassionally?  If they do, you have a ready-made calling list of prospects who have asked you to call!

Posted: December 27th, 2007 under Call Centers, Lead Generation.
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Can you imagine the perfect telemarketing call list that tells you exactly who is already interested in hearing about your product?  It can happen!

I have heard it called permission telemarketing or requested telemarketing, where a prospect actually provides their telephone number for you to call.  Why do they do this?  And how can you get such a list?

First, prospects often will give out personal information when they want to hear more about new products or sales, usually in a specific industry or service they need.  And second, you can start such a list for your business by asking anyone who calls you for information (or buys your product) if they would like to hear about your latest sale or important updates as they arise.  Already qualified as an interested prospect, they will also provide their phone number so your telemarketers can alert them about important information.

Or, ask a telemarketing list broker for this type of qualified lead list.  These leads are more expensive but often are worth it because the target is much better focused.  Whether you start your own list or buy one, the prospect who requests a call is the best lead there is!

Posted: December 26th, 2007 under Lead Generation, Telemarketing Services.
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It’s a well known belief that the tech market is hard to cold call.  The “tech language” as well as the specifics and intricacies of the technological market make them unreceptive.  So it seems daunting at best.

Now what if I tell you that this is bunk!  Recent surveys show that 50% of the tech market who were polled said that a “well-timed, relevant call” does get response.  Those key words “well-timed” and “relevant” are what makes the difference.

In fact, these tech companies are even tuning in to “webinars” (seminars on the web) to look for “relevant” educational events that they learned about from a telemarketing cold call.

Bottom line:  Good telemarketing leads that are timely, and scripts that provide appropriate and helpful information DO get noticed and responded to… Tech companies are like all other businesses.  They want the latest products and information and they recognize it when they hear it!   Once again, telemarketing shows its strength in lead generation if done properly.

Posted: December 25th, 2007 under Lead Generation, Telemarketing Services.
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I’ve found that lead generation is still one of the hottest ways to use telemarketing.  One type of lead generation system is through automated telemarketing. 

This is a machine programmed to dial phone numbers and deliver a recorded message when the phone is answered. A certain percentage of people hang up on these machines, but they still can be a cost effective way to generate leads instead of using a telemarketer or call center.  The key is to use a good call list which includes the right demographic markets.  Calls going to qualified prospects still show good results even without a live person making the call.  In fact, some prospects are less intimidated by receiving an automated call where all they have to do is press a few buttons on their phone to respond.

No matter what form of telemarketing your business uses, it’s a proven way to find new customers. 

Posted: December 23rd, 2007 under Lead Generation.
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People sometimes think that telemarketing is as simple as one person calling somebody else on the telephone to sell them something.

But the reason telemarketing is so successful is because it can be so flexible.  For example, look at all the ways it can be used:

1. appointment setting
2. lead generation
3. sales
4. seminar registration
5. updating information
6. surveys
7. market research
8. direct mail follow-up
9. trade show follow-up
10. fundraising
11. political announcements
12. recruiting
13. prospecting
14. up-selling or cross-selling

The research shows that people do buy over the phone, but they also respond to all the approaches listed above. 

Posted: December 13th, 2007 under Appointment Setting, Call Centers, Lead Generation.
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Sales still come from leads, and leads come from…yes…telemarketing, as the most preferred method by businesses.

Carol Krol’s recent article in BtoB Magazine, “Copy this:  Telemarketing Big with Xerox”, summarizes the importance of telemarketing as the most versatile lead generation tool for Xerox Corporation.  It’s used for prospecting, qualifying, reconnecting, following-up, validating, building relationships, and scheduling.  Although telemarketing can’t do the whole job, its integral position in growing and maintaining businesses is evidence that it’s here to stay.  Telemarketing is now a recognized “staple” for doing business at Xerox, other businesses, and anywhere in the world. 

I wonder if Alexander Graham Bell knew what he’d started with his “little” invention, the telephone?

Posted: December 4th, 2007 under Appointment Setting, Call Centers, Lead Generation.
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