subject: Telemarketing Targets a New Demographic: Kids! [print this page] The telemarketing sector is always on the lookout for new consumers and consumer groups. Ideally they would like to add as many to their kitty as possible. That is why lead generation agents are working through their database, analyzing and studying the data so that they get their marketing mix right. But call centers are not content with the existing demographics that they have. BPO agents are trying to extend their telemarketing services to include kids. Selling something to kids is easy and challenging at the same time. Many may feel that sales lead generation with kids will be easy because they can be easily convinced. But that is not so. It's difficult to target this section of the population without treading on dangerous territory. Let's find out more about this zone.
Call center agents can contact kids only through the landline numbers. Calling kids would mean making some provision to talk to the parents as well. The BPO agent cannot talk to the kid and finalize the deal. The money needs to be paid by the parents. That is where the matter gets tricky. Parents may not be willing to hand over the phone to their kids. As a lead generation expert, you will have to convince them. Maybe you can speak to the kids over the speakerphone, so that their parents can hear what you are saying. If the outbound call center agents can assure the parents that their kids are not being made party to some scam or conning, the rest of it should be easy.
The telemarketing agents must not remain under the fallacy that kids don't know their minds. These days the kids are more aware of brands and what their needs are more than adults. The sales lead generation process has to be transparent and the kids must be explained everything in detail. Kids trust but when the BPO agent is not able to respect that, there is no way to get back and convince them. Kids buy products on impulse. As a telemarketing services executive, you have to keep a finger on their pulse and study the trends. The best way you can do that is to research. Sometimes, the call center agent can have it easier to break the ice if he/she is aware of what kids love. For example, you can sell well to a Twilight saga lover if you know two bits about the series.
Parents of kids have to vigilant in the process. There are tons of telemarketing firms out there that try to dupe the kids. The call center services try to glean financial information from the unsuspecting kids. As a result of this, kids end up making purchases without knowing it! Then they might be hounded by these fraudulent telemarketing services for payment. The kids may be scared to share this with their parents. That is why it is important for the parents to be careful and monitor their online and telephone time. If you feel something amiss, ring the alarm bells hard.
