So the thought of using a telemarketing company to do the work for them sounds like the best answer in the world. Here are our top tips to getting it right:
1. Be very clear on what you want the telemarketing company to do for you – is it telemarketing; is it lead generation; is it appointment setting? Too often, client will say “we just want more customers”, but that involves telemarketing and selling – what do you want the telemarketing company to do.
2. Make sure that you or your telemarketing company put in place a structure to have regular catch up sessions where you can make sure everything is working for you or voice any concerns. Working well with a telemarketing company is all about developing that relationship.
3. Don’t forget to give telemarketing a chance to work – telemarketing often takes a while to work. Having said that, make sure that you give it chance to work within reason, bearing in mind point 4 below.
4. Test and measure. What I mean by this is monitor what is happening with your telemarketing company and if what you’re expecting to happen doesn't happen, stop using them. I have known people to be very unhappy with the company they've been using from very early on in the relationship and yet they’re still using them 15 months later!
5. Voice any concerns early in the relationship – it’s much better to get small issues out of the way before they build into bigger problems.
6. Make sure that you get everything in writing so that you are both clear on what’s going to happen. This is particularly important if you have monthly meetings – get the telemarketing company to send you bullet points about what will be done or do this yourself. Communication as always is key and if you both know what will happen in advance, so much the better.
7. Remember to take their advice – after all, you took on a telemarketing company to get their expertise didn't you? Don't forget to use it.
8. Don’t just leave the telemarketing company to it – respond to things they send over and return their phone calls.
10. And finally, don’t forget to have fun and be creative – your telemarketing company should have ideas they can give you to drive your telemarketing forward – remember to pick their brains!
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