subject: Simple Steps To Enhance Your Telemarketing Success [print this page] Telemarketing has been a tried-and-tested method to effectively market products and services, however, many telephone marketers fail to succeed in this job for a number of different reasons. Here are some helpful tips to aid telephone sales agents in their quest for telemarketing success.
Make Each Call Count
In each telemarketing call, agents or telemarketers have only a few seconds to state their purpose and discuss the benefits of a particular service or product. There is very little time to say all that needs to be said because customers or prospects are very likely to stop or reject the agent after two to three sentences. These few precious moments are critical to the cold-calling process and must not be wasted.
Do not make assumptions that prospects or customers need something because this puts them off. Instead of guessing, it is better to ask relevant questions and point out how the offer can be valuable or beneficial to them.
Telemarketers need to be sure that each call will get their prospect's attention as quickly as possible. Letting the conversation go in a different direction wastes both the prospect's time and the agent's.
Simplicity is Key
There is a greater chance of success in a telemarketing call if the customer or prospect understands very well what the call or offer is about. Telemarketers must make sure that they state their reasons clearly and they get to the point switfly and efficiently.
Get Comfortable and Speak Naturally
Many businesses have proven that customers are more receptive when telemarketers speak naturally (not sound like robots!). Of course, this can only be achieved if they have comfortable seats, ample calling spaces and are using the appropriate equipments such as good headsets.
Keep Practicing
Constant repetition carries conviction. Before beginning a cold-calling campaign, it is important for telemarketers to practice their calling approach in order to develop confidence and correct mistakes before beginning their tasks. Role playing with friends or co-workers will help. Listening to themselves on an audio recorder will also help them determine if their tone or spiel will create an interest.
Make Use of Notes
Notes can serve as guides for agents in choosing which words to say and how to say them in a call. They can use it to organize their thoughts as they move along in their conversations with customers. Awkward pauses are signs of unpreparedness, so telemarketers have to always be ready to respond to whatever customers might ask or say.
Respect the Customer
This of course, is a must. Many telephone representatives fail to realize that just by asking questions like "Do you understand what I'm saying?" or "Do you follow what I'm trying to say?", they can offend their prospects or customers and undermine their ability to catch on. It is necessary for telemarketers to be able to make their prospects understand what they are offering and if they feel that the potential customer is unable to catch on, they should be patient and still show courtesy.
Earn the Customer or Prospect's Trust
Making the prospects feel that they are speaking with a friend instead of the usual sharp-shooting type of telemarketer is important. Agents should be genuinely friendly and concerned for them to develop confidence in the agents and what they do.
