Telemarketing
Telemarketing
Telemarketing is the process of using the telephone to generate leads, make sales, or gather marketing information. Telemarketing can be a particularly valuable tool for small businesses, in that it saves time and money as compared to personal selling, but offers many of the same benefits in terms of direct contact with customers. In fact, experts have estimated that closing a sale through telemarketing usually costs less than one-fifth of what it would cost to send a salesperson to make a sale in person. Though telemarketing is more expensive than direct mail, it tends to be more efficient in closing sales and thus provides a greater yield on the marketing dollar.
Telemarketing is especially useful when the customers for a small business's products or services are located in hard-to-reach places, or when many prospects must be contacted in order to find one interested in making a purchase. Although some small businesses operate exclusively by telephone, telemarketing is most often used as part of an overall marketing program to tie together advertising and personal selling efforts. For example, a company might send introductory information through the mail, then follow-up with a telemarketing call to assess the prospect's interest, and finally send a salesperson to visit.
Telemarketing can be either inbound or outbound in scope. Inbound telemarketing consists of handling incoming telephone calls—often generated by broadcast advertising, direct mail, or catalogs—and taking orders for a wide range of products. Representatives working in this type of telemarketing program normally do not need as much training as outbound reps because the customer already has shown an interest by calling in.
Outbound telemarketing can be aimed directly at the end consumer—for example, a home repair business may call people in its community to search for prospects—or can be part of a business-to-business marketing program. Representatives working on this side of the industry generally require more training and product knowledge, as more actual selling is involved than with inbound operations.
Major applications of business-to-business telemarketing include selling to existing accounts, outbound new account development, inbound order processing and inquiry handling, customer service, and supporting the existing field sales force. As the costs of field sales continue to escalate, businesses are using telemarketing as a way to reduce the cost of selling and give more attention to marginal accounts. Telemarketing programs can be either handled in-house by a company or farmed out to service bureaus. Operations range in size from a one-person in-house staff member at a small business to a major corporation or service center that may have as many as 1,000 telephone stations.
One of the advantages telemarketing has over other direct marketing methods is that it involves human interaction. Used correctly and by professionals, the telephone is a very cost-efficient, flexible and statistically accountable medium. At the same time, the telephone is still very intimate and personal, one person speaking with another.
Although telemarketing has been the center of some controversies—ranging from scams run over the phone to a number of legal issues that have been the center of debate at both the state and national levels—the industry continues to grow. In fact, the American Telemarketing Association found that spending on telemarketing activities increased from $1 billion to $60 billion between 1981 and 1991. By the mid-1990s, telemarketing accounted for more than $450 billion in annual sales. This increased use of telemarketing resulted in an unexpectedly strong backlash and for telemarketing firms the landscape in the early 21st century has changed dramatically.
FEDERAL DO-NOT-CALL LIST
In 2003, the popular uproar against telemarketing calls grew so loud that legislators in Washington took notice and took action. Following the lead of several states, federal legislators passed a law in 2003 that made it possible for people to register to have their home phones included on a do-not-call list and by so doing "opt-out of telemarketing." The law is the Do-Not-Call Registry Act of 2003. This act authorized the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), under sections of the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act, to implement and enforce a do-not-call registry to be established and run by the commission. The registry is nationwide in scope, applies to all telemarketers (with the exception of certain non-profit organizations), and covers both interstate and intrastate telemarketing calls. Commercial telemarketers are not allowed to call a number that is on the registry, subject to certain exceptions.
Organizations not covered by the law include nonprofit organizations, political campaigns and companies that have an existing business relationship with a call recipient. The goal is to eliminate cold calls for all those who chose to "opt-out" of telemarketing, it is not designed to keep companies from calling their customers for repeat sales. As of early 2005, the FTC reported having close to 65 million numbers in the do-not-call registry with an additional 150,000 added monthly. Under the law, telemarketers are required to purchase a copy of the list for the area codes they wish to call and then remove from their call lists all numbers that appear on the FTC list. Those companies that fail to comply with this law face the imposition of heavy fines. In late 2005, the largest fine to-date was imposed on the satellite television company, DirectTV. The fine charged DirectTV was $5.3 million. The underlying complaint named as defendants DirectTV, five firms that telemarketed on its behalf and six principals of those telemarketing firms. "This multimillion-dollar penalty drives home a simple point: Sellers are on the hook for calls placed on their behalf," said FTC chairman Deborah Platt Majoras in an article in the magazine Brandweek.
Although solid numbers are hard to find, one commonly accepted estimate is that the do-not-call regulation had cut the number of telemarketing calls by half during the first two years in effect. Telemarketing firms report seeing their lists cut from 35 to 55 percent.
The industry is still adjusting to the new reality that has been created by the do-not-call registry. They will continue to search for ways in which to generate new telephone lists that include potential clients that are not on the do-not-call list or clients who by virtue of signing up for a sweepstakes event have created for themselves a "relationship" with the seller. Companies with whom a person has done business or with whom a person has signed up for a drawing are allowed to call that individual whether or not his or her phone number is on the do-not-call list. Consequently, companies that use telemarketing are researching ways to go about rebuilding their calling lists.
Although much reduced during the first years of the 21st Century, telemarketing is still an option for some types of businesses. In particular, business-to-business telemarketing is still a useful tool within a larger marketing strategy for companies that sell to other companies.
Selling
Telemarketing can either supplement or replace face-to-face selling to existing accounts. It can complement the field sales effort by reaching new customer bases or geographic markets at relatively low cost. It can also be used to sell goods and services independently, with no field sales force in place. This method often is used for repetitive supply purchases or readily identifiable products, though it can be effectively applied to other products as well.
The inside sales force can be used to replace direct contact for marginally profitable customers. A general rule of thumb in business says that 20 percent of customers account for 80 percent of sales, so conversely the remaining 80 percent of customers generate just 20 percent of sales. But businesses must keep in mind that marginal does not necessarily mean unprofitable. And the existing customer base is perhaps the most important asset in any business; increases in sales most often come from current accounts, and it generally is less costly to maintain current customers than to search out new business, particularly with the reduction of access resulting from the FTC do-not-call list. Telemarketers can give these reliable customers the attention they deserve. The reps can phone as often as needed, determine the customers' purchasing cycles, and contact them at appropriate reorder times.
In making such a consolidation between a direct and inside sales force, the company must be careful in determining which accounts should stay with field sales and which should be handled by telemarketing. Some businesses start their telemarketing operations with just small or inactive accounts, gradually increasing the size of accounts handled.
Lead Generation
Through telemarketing, a company can compile and update lists of customer prospect leads and then go through these lists searching for sales leads. Telemarketing can screen the leads and qualify them according to priority, passing the best leads to the field sales force for immediate action. The inside sales force also can identify the decision maker with the buying power and set up appointments for the outside sales force.
Gathering Information
Telemarketing can provide accurate information on advertising effectiveness, what customers are buying, from whom they're buying, and when they will buy again. It is also commonly used in conducting surveys.
Improving Customer Service
Studies show it costs five times more to win over a new customer than to keep an existing one. By using telemarketing as a main facet of customer service, companies can go a long way toward keeping customers happy.
In addition, when used in conjunction with current computer technology, a telemarketing program can be analyzed in terms of costs and benefits, using quantitative data on the number of contacts, number of presentations, total sales, cost per sale, and income per sale.
ESTABLISHING A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM
Not all telemarketing programs are successful. Improper execution, unrealistic goals over a short time period, oversimplification, and lack of top management support have caused the ultimate failure of more telephone sales programs than can be imagined. Like any marketing strategy, telemarketing takes time to plan and develop. It takes time to gain confidence in the message, to identify weak areas, and to predict bottom-line results. Some of the most common telemarketing mistakes include: not giving it a total commitment; not utilizing the proper expertise; failing to develop a proper database; improper human resource planning; lack of proper scripts and call guides; lack of quality control, and failing to understand the synergy with other direct marketing disciplines. To create a successful telemarketing program, management must understand and agree to the necessary personnel and financial resources, as well as devoting adequate time for program development and testing. Telemarketing and related direct marketing techniques can produce solid sales. But they need a chance to develop and demonstrate that success. Very simply, it takes time.
Experts agree that companies must be careful in forming telemarketing goals and objectives. Some of the most important factors for success include: developing a complete marketing plan with built-in criteria for accounting and analysis; writing scripts, sales outlines, and presentations to be performed; establishing training and hiring procedures for both supervisors and sales personnel; analyzing and evaluating campaigns, personnel, and cost effectiveness; having support and commitment from management for the telemarketing's role in the overall marketing effort; establishing reachable goals; and placing a continuous emphasis on follow-up.
IN-HOUSE VS. OUTSIDE SERVICE BUREAUS
When establishing a telemarketing program, a company has the option of setting up the operation in-house, or subcontracting it to an outside service bureau. Both have advantages and disadvantages. In-house programs usually are better if products and/or services require extensive technical expertise to explain. They also can be better for firms making a long-term commitment to telemarketing. Service bureaus, on the other hand, can help firms that need around-the-clock coverage for inbound programs, are supporting television ad campaigns, or are running a seasonal marketing program.
Service Bureaus
One of the main advantages of service bureaus is that they likely can offer lower costs. By grouping programs from several different companies, service bureaus can generate sufficient volume to reduce labor and telephone costs, which make up a majority of total costs. They can also get a program started more quickly because they have experienced telephone reps on staff, along with necessary equipment.
When 24-hour coverage is needed on an inbound telemarketing program, it probably is more cost-effective to go with a bureau. When setting up an outbound program, the experienced managers at a bureau can help a company avoid making mistakes and often can accurately project call volumes and sales per hour. Service bureaus also can help with testing new programs and have a greater ability to handle demand peaks.
On the downside, several client companies often must compete for a service bureau's attention, and for firms that share service with a broadcast advertiser whose response rates are underestimated, that can be a decided drawback. Stability of service bureaus has also been a problem at times.
In-house Operations
The main reason companies decide to run their own telemarketing campaign is that they can maintain total control over all facets, including hiring and firing, scripts and presentations, budgets, advertising, and compensation and incentive policies. When telemarketing programs are kept in-house, phone reps have ready access to company information, so they can confirm delivery, authorize credit, and suggest alternatives to out-of-stock items.
Since in-house reps are trained on individual product lines, they can handle highly technical calls no service bureau likely would attempt. Such technical expertise also helps companies maintain effective customer service programs through observation (such as via call monitoring). In addition, it is easier to gain company loyalty from actual employees than from people employed by an outside bureau. The biggest drawback to taking a program in-house is the large capital investment needed to get a telemarketing program started. It involves hiring and training new personnel, purchasing new communications equipment, and dealing with a process that is unfamiliar to many in business.
TECHNOLOGICAL AND HUMAN ELEMENTS
Computers have played an important role in the growth of telemarketing. Access to databases provides phone reps with account histories, stock status, order-taking formats, and other vital information. Besides analyzing data, computers are used for scheduling, scripting, and follow-ups. Computers also can be programmed to automatically dial phone numbers and connect the calls to telemarketers only if they are answered, screen out answering machines, and guide the phone rep through the telemarketing presentation.
While technology plays a vital role in keeping telemarketing cost-effective, the human element is critical in making the effort successful. Unfortunately, many firms still view telemarketing positions as clerical-level jobs staffed by people with few skills, no training, and little understanding of the product or service being sold. Often, the manager of a telemarketing operation is the only person in an organization familiar with the discipline. Some firms, though, have come to realize the importance of the telemarketers, as the firm's image is on the line with every call. They realize the position needs skilled, trained professionals who must be adequately compensated.
For compensation, most companies use a combination of salary, commission, and/or bonuses. Studies indicate that incentives generally aid in sales success, but it is important to link the inducements to the performance desired, be it total sales, calls completed, or presentations given. Some form of quotas are also commonly used so that sales reps know what is expected of them. Firms should be reasonable in setting quotas. If the goals are too high, the reps will become frustrated, leading to morale and worker retention problems. Conversely, low quotas can create an environment in which effort is lacking, especially if the compensation package in place is heavily weighted toward base salary.
Telemarketing positions typically show high levels of turnover, in large measure because the majority of interactions with potential customers end in rejection. Working shorter shifts or using computers to prescreen customers can help reduce the amount of rejection telemarketers experience. Training is another important factor. If the individuals that comprise your telemarketing staff are trained to be specific, control the time and pace of conversation, ask questions and listen without interrupting or rushing the customer's response, and respond to objections or concerns in a positive manner, they will experience greater levels of success—and hence, a more positive outlook on their duties.
see also Advertising Strategy; Marketing
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cleveland, Brad. "What You Need to Understand About Abandoned Calls—How to lower your call center's abandonment rates." Call Center. 1 April 2006.
"DirectTV to Pay Record Fine for Do Not Call Violations." The Computer & Internet Lawyer. February 2006.
McCullagh, DeClan. "Hanging Up on Telemarketers." CNET news.com. 1 October 2004.
McLuhan, Robert. "Warm Calling Builds Results." Marketing. 5 August 1999.
Rosen, Judith. "Telemarketing: Pros and Cons." Publishers Weekly. 11 January 1999.
U.S. Federal Trade Commission. National Do Not Call Registry. Available from http://www.ftc.gov/donotcall/. Retrieved on 23 February 2006.
"Where Marketers Can Obtain State Do-Not-Call Lists." Direct Marketing Association. Available from http://www.the-dma.org/government/donotcalllists.shtml. Retrieved on 10 May 2006.
Wilkins, Tony. The Telemarketing Success for The Small to Mid Size Firm. Xlibris Corporation, 2004.
Hillstrom, Northern Lights
updated by Magee, ECDI
Telemarketing
TELEMARKETING
Telemarketing is the process of selling goods and services over the telephone. It has been used to successfully market a variety of products ranging from insurance to newspapers to industrial equipment, and it has the potential for selling virtually any product. There are two types of telemarketing: outbound and inbound. Outbound telemarketing calls are those placed by salespeople to homes or
businesses. Inbound telemarketing occurs when customers call in to businesses to place orders.
OUTBOUND CALLS
Outbound telemarketing is particularly appealing to businesses whose salespeople have traditionally made outside sales calls. It reduces the cost per contact, increases the number of contacts that can be made per day or week, and still retains the human element. Computerized databases of prospects and automated predictive dialers can further extend the potential number of contacts a telemarketer can make. Outbound calls can be used to canvass for new business, follow up former customers, contact new leads, speed up payments on past due accounts, and raise funds for nonprofit organizations.
Outbound calls present an ideal marketing situation in which the telemarketer has the undivided attention of the prospect and can get immediate feedback. At the same time, the limited window of opportunity requires that the salesperson establish rapport and trust quickly, listen carefully, and provide clear information. Success in outbound sales is related to product knowledge and presentation skills and, thus, can be enhanced by training.
INBOUND CALLS
Inbound telemarketing is also a very efficient marketing approach that also retains the element of personal interaction. Calls are generated by catalogs mailed to prospective customers or by radio, television, commercial Web sites, or print advertisements. These promotional pieces solicit customers to buy by calling a toll-free number. When customers call in, they may either reach a telemarketer directly or receive an electronic message that gives them the option of being connected to a salesperson. Since inbound callers have entered the buying process when they call in, a customer service orientation is more critical to the success of the telemarketer than sales training.
The use of the telephone as a sales tool dates back to the early 1900s. The full potential of outbound telemarketing, however, was not recognized by business until Wide-Area Telecommunications Service lines came into existence in 1960. Likewise, the full potential for inbound sales did not become apparent until the Sheraton hotel chain implemented the first toll-free 800 lines in 1967. By 2001 telemarketing sales to consumers and businesses exceeded $660 billion, with a projected growth rate of 8.4 percent through 2006. Employment in the teleservices industry surpassed 6 million in 2001, with a projected growth rate of 4.2 percent through 2006.
PERCEPTIONS AND OUTLOOK
Although telemarketing has experienced continued growth, it has not been without problems. Many consumers have a negative perception of it, particularly with outbound telemarketing, because of untimely and annoying calls. This discontent led to the development of the National Do Not Call Registry by the Federal Trade Commission in 2003. The registry listed over 58 million phone numbers in the first eight months. Many states also have instituted do-not-call lists.
Another problem with telemarketing is that it has been the vehicle for a variety of fraudulent schemes, which prompted a crackdown by the U.S. attorney general in 1997. Despite these concerns, the outlook for the industry appears to be positive. Research indicates that businesses are becoming increasingly receptive to doing business with sales representatives by telephone and inbound telemarketing is becoming an even more important component of a direct-marketing campaign.
see also Marketing
bibliography
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Thomas R. Baird
Earl C. Meyer
Winifred L. Green