Tips for Telemarketers
Have you ever received a call from a telemarketer? I’m sure all of us have. I don’t know about you but I almost always get irritated. First of all, some of them prove to be really pesky, even after you have told them to put you on their “do not call list.”
Some start off by asking 101 questions instead of getting to the point. They forget that your time is valuable and that every minute you spend on the phone talking to them is time away from more critical activities.
I also dislike it that some just continue or start talking away without even asking if this is a good time to call or if you could spare a few minutes of your time. They just assume that you are available. Chances are, if you are busy or rushing something (particularly at work), you will not be in a good mood and will therefore not be receptive to whatever it is that he/she is pushing. Thus, telemarketers may want to inquire first whether they can have a few minutes of your time.
With some prospects, hard sell or pushiness won’t get you anywhere. It is up to the telemarketer to discern then, from the tone of voice, to the words used whether a prospect is worth talking to at all.
It is also wise for any organization to coordinate the efforts of several telemarketers who may be covering the same markets or prospects. In the past, I’ve had this conference organizer have 3 people call me — all pushing the same conference. I had already told the first caller that I was not interested but other individuals kept calling. It can get pretty unnerving and irritating. After awhile, I complained about the repetitive calls and the lack of coordination. The third person who called me apologized and said that they would update their records. Still, because of the irritation caused, I was no longer predisposed to even think of the possibility of attending the conference. Oh well.
So for telemarketers, when dealing with difficult and unfriendly prospects: Be direct to the point. Ask if this is a good time to call. Coordinate your efforts with the rest of the group. Do not antagonize the customer. Happy telemarketing.