subject: Telemarketing and DNC Lists [print this page] The practice of lead generation goes severely threatened with the growing prominence of the Do Not Call (DNC) list. Several countries have already pulled the stops to prevent call center agents from buzzing registered numbers. There are many others that are in line to do the same. It goes without saying, therefore, that BPO planners are looking for alternatives. But the alternatives can only be found out when you know what you are not allowed to do! In this article we'll check out how a telemarketing or a sales lead generation firm can end up on the wrong side of the telecom law. It's important for them to know the rules or they will continue violating them with illogical naivety. To take a closer look at the telemarketing services scene, let's turn the clock back and trace the journey to the modern times.
In 2005, there was a viral email campaign being carried out by anonymous citizens of USA. The email asked citizens to register their cell phone numbers with the DNC list to avoid telemarketing calls. The email campaign is still doing the rounds, even after 5 years! But, as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) pointed out, it's nothing but an "urban myth". The laws forbid call center agents from calling up cell phones through a blanket ban, so there is no need to register your numbers on any list. As for your wired connections, you can sign up to avoid being called for telemarketing services. There is not more than one DNC list and you can only sign up with that solitary one. And contrary to what others may tell you, the FTC makes it clear that they have no plans to get the cell phone numbers out in the market for call centers to purchase them as database.
That brings us to the question of tackling lead generation calls. It's true that outbound call center agents often call prospective consumers without checking if they are registered on the DNC. That's when the trouble begins. The consumer may complain to the telemarketing forum for violation of privacy. In such cases, the telecom watchdog has no other option but to take action. It also brings the spotlight on the telemarketing services as a whole. There is publicity in the press and people feel how much they are being disturbed because of call center services. That brings about some flurry in the telecom department and they start campaigning for people to be aware of the DNC list and sign up.
The easy way out for telemarketing units would be to stick to the numbers that are not on the DNC list. If you call listed numbers, it won't give you a favorable ROI because these people have already made it known that they don't want call center calls. Their unwillingness to use telemarketing services leave them out of the loop by default. And the path being risky of lawsuits and infamy, it's a wiser idea to call people who are open to calls from the BPO service firm.
