Marketing is crucial to the success of any business, whether it is an Internet-based or brick-and-mortar venture. There are various methods that are used for this purpose. Telemarketing Services, are some of the methods employed, and involve the soliciting of customers, to buy products and services, through making telephone calls. You can use this method, whether you are making the calls from home, or from a company office. This method can be used for both business-to-business, and business to consumer marketing purposes. Many people hold the misconception that this marketing method is similar to spamming, but this is not the case.

Telemarketing Services do not include making indiscriminate calls to people, by going through a telephone directory, and making random calls. A company will go through the past purchase history, requests for information, application forms, surveys, credit or financial information, and other opt-in information, about their prospects. The data that they collect is then analyzed to identify people with the highest probability of buying their products and services. The final list created, is then used to make the telephone calls. This process is not only used by companies aiming to market products and services alone. Various alumni, political parties, and charitable organizations use this technique when they are looking for financial support from the public. Public opinion pollsters and marketing research companies also use this technique in gathering data from the public.

Telemarketing Services involve making calls in person, or using a recorded sales-pitch, depending on the intended purpose. Most companies prefer to use a personal touch, and hire people to make these calls. These people go through a detailed training session, before they are allowed to start making calls. They are conversant with the company, its products and services, and will answer any question that a prospective customer may ask them. The phone calls are divided into two sessions, the first being a call to inform the customer of the purpose of receiving the call, and building a rapport, while the second is a sales pitch designed to encourage the prospect to make a purchase. The calls can either be inbound, or outbound. Outbound calls are generated by the company, and are usually directed at prospective or preexisting customers. Inbound calls are generated by the prospective customers, and are a result of advertising and publicity campaigns, and the efforts of the sales teams in the field.

As with any other method of marketing, Telemarketing Services have had their share of negative publicity. Many people have been subjected to fraudulent schemes, which have eroded the trust that the public once held for this method of marketing. However, the Government has stepped in and regulated this method of marketing, in order to protect the consumer. Various laws and regulations have been put in place to ensure that the consumer is protected, in order to build public confidence in this method of marketing. Professional associations have also come up with codes of ethics, which all members must uphold. When used properly, this method has the potential to increase your sales efforts considerably.

Source by Anthony Nderi