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Carol Smalley

Guide to Building Sales with Telemarketing

Pick up the phone to promote your goods and services

By Carol Smalley, entrepreneur/editor/trainer/writer, Carol Parenzan Smalley

Many small business owners are surprised to discover that telemarketing encompasses more than just cold calling. In fact, telemarketing takes advantage of both inbound and outbound calls. Inbound telemarketing occurs every time existing or potential customers call your company, on your regular or toll-free lines.

Outbound telemarketing takes place when your company calls a prospect or existing customer. Small companies can use telemarketing in the following ways:

  1. To gather customer information
  2. To introduce new products or services
  3. To make a sale
  4. To complete a current transaction
  5. To add an incremental component to the sale

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done


Evaluate the potential for telemarketing

Telemarketing isn't for every company or every customer. Before embarking on a telemarketing program, consider what you wish to accomplish and if your customer base is receptive to this marketing tool.
I recommend: Sign up for a 20-hour telemarketing test to determine if this selling strategy can boost your bottom line.

Follow the rules

Respect the Do-Not-Call Registries. Not honoring them can be costly, with fines up to $11,000.
I recommend: Become familiar with the National Do-Not-Call Registry and similar programs within your specific state.

Cross-sell and up-sell

Use the telemarketing customer encounter as an opportunity to both cross-sell (sell complementary products or services) and up-sell (sell a higher-level product or service).
I recommend: Invest in a cross-selling and up-selling training program for your telemarketing staff from ImpactLearningSystems.com.

Get script savvy

Most marketing experts recommend using scripts, but only when the telemarketer delivers the script with a natural voice and cadence. Encourage your telemarketers to learn about your products and services so it doesn't sound like they're simply reading from your script.
I recommend: Check out an audio CD or e-book on How to Create Winning Telemarketing Scripts from ColdCalling.com. Get tips on scripts and more at AllBusiness.com.

Hire the right telemarketers

Not everyone is cut out for a telemarketing gig. Finding the right people for the job can make all the difference in whether your efforts succeed or fall flat.
I recommend: Find experienced telemarketers at Guru.com or consider outsourcing your telemarketing needs to a service, such as Telemarketing.com. When interviewing potential hires, use these sample telemarketing personnel interview questions (on pages 5-6).

Obtain telemarketing lists

Use your existing customer database to create a telemarketing target list. You can also purchase names and numbers or cull names from a phone directory or other publicly available list.
I recommend: Whether you need fewer than 5,000 names or more than 100,000, whether your focus is business-to-business or business-to-consumer and whether you're looking for names in the Northeast, Midwest or all across the nation, you can find a list at Discount-Lists.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

  • For many customers, their only contact with your company is through telemarketing. For them, your telemarketer is your company. Make sure the image your telemarketers are portraying fits with your company image.
  • Telemarketing isn't all about the numbers; it's also about building customer relationships.
  • Telemarketing can be done from your office, from a call center or from someone's home, also called homesourcing.
  • Respect customers and their time.
  • Respect the word "no."

The official source of Building Sales with Telemarketing is
the Telemarketing page at Business.com

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Recommended Solution Providers

Onvi Source: Connecting People to Business
Integrated software-based products feature inbound/outbound call handling and performance management optimization software for agent transactions, quality assurance, compliance and business process management.

Mmius: Motivational Marketing
Solutions to develop and implement professional inbound & outbound B2B and B2C telemarketing lead generation, appointment setting, telesales and market research programs. From start-ups and ongoing programs to peak period demands, key elements are already in place to deliver success to your small business.

Business Beanstalk: Telemarketing Solutions
Specializes in providing contact center solutions for small and medium sized businesses, including inbound customer support and order taking, as well as outbound appointment setting, telemarketing and telesales.

Intelesure: The Intelligent Way to Use Teleservices
Helping your small business target your efforts and utilize your expenses by providing teleservices. Outsource your unique teleservices needs to this telemarketing provider so you can focus on your company's core competencies. Industry-specific competencies allow response to unique demands and opportunities in specific markets to offer a solution to your unique goals.

PRC Net: Customer Management Solutions
Provider of customer management solutions on an outsourced basis with strategic execution of sales and customer care initiatives for leading, brand-focused corporations through our global network of delivery centers.

SSM: Manage Your Leads
Solutions to build sales using experienced telemarketing techniques for your small business.

Phone Ware: Your Call Center Solution
Providing a full-service, state-of-the-art, integrated call center, with a blended suite of solutions for programs that involve outbound and inbound calling, email, sales and customer care interaction. Professional call center solutions begin with knowledge, commitment and a relationship bred in trust.

Qualified Leads: The Leads You Need
Offers a full range of phone marketing services for small sized businesses ensuring that you find and keep new customers before your competitors do.

Best Sites to Learn More

Entrepreneur.com: Cold Calling and Telemarketing
Sales experts reveal the ins and outs of telemarketing giving tips, advice and links to articles to help improve sales for your small business.

Business Town: Telemarketing
Find articles, books, links, and other resources to get your small business started in telemarketing.

Yahoo! Small Business: Telemarking Guide
Designed to teach the small business arena what important steps are needed before choosing your telemarketing strategy.

eNotes: Small Business Encyclopedia
Plan the right telemarketing strategy for your small business with this introduction including tips and advice for telemarketing.

Best Blogs and Forums

Small Business Brief: Telemarketing Forum
Learn and discuss good telemarketing strategies to help sales for your small business.

AllBusiness: Telemarketing Success Blog
Understand the keys to building your small business sales through the use of telemarketing.

Telemarketing System: Telemarketing Blog
All you need to know about telemarketing system, sales, leads, lists, and the world of phone sales.

Manhatten Marketing Mahem: A Practical Hands-On Marketing and Advertising Blog
See what telemarketing strategy is best for your small businesses in order to boost sales.



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