How Telemarketers Can Avoid Annoying Their Leads

We all have jobs to do. But, the way we see it, a telemarketer’s job is among the hardest ones. With a need to generate leads and close sales, a phone agent’s daily tasks can be quite challenging. Not to mention, cold calls and telemarketing have a bit of a reputation. It’s not exactly flattering. Nevertheless, when done right, phone outreach can be a highly effective way to connect with potential customers and generate leads.

What can telemarketers do to avoid annoying their leads?

Call at the right time.

In many cases, timing is everything. It’s best to avoid early mornings, lunchtime and late evenings. That sounds like most of the day, doesn’t it? Well, generally, mid-morning or mid-afternoon during the workweek tends to be the most acceptable time for B2B calls. It’s also extremely important to respect time zones. Keep in mind that there are six different times zones in Canada. If you’re on the East Coast, wait until noon to begin calling the West Coast.

Speaking of time, it’s important to respect the time of your potential customers. Remember that people are busy. Get to the value of your call early without sounding robotic. Avoid scripted jargon and instead focus on solving a problem or providing useful information. As an example, instead of saying “our VoIP system offers seamless integration and enhanced call routing,” try “we help businesses like yours cut phone bills by up to 40% with a simple cloud-based system.”

Listen more than you speak.

The most effective telemarketers ask thoughtful questions and truly listen to the answers. Let the leads guide the conversations and show genuine interest in their challenges. Active listening doesn’t just make the calls more pleasant. It also builds rapport and trust. To further build your ability to gain trust, it’s wise to not be pushy. Instead, be helpful! If the person isn’t interested, don’t keep pushing. Offer to send information by email or follow up at a more convenient time.

Ending a call on a positive note keeps the door open for future contact. Phrase it like this: “No problem at all! Would it be alright if I sent over a bit more info in case you’d like to revisit this down the line?” If you’ve had a positive interaction, follow up with a thank-you email or a link to a resource. A personal touch after the call can go a long way in turning a “maybe” into a “yes.”

Always honour the “Do Not Call” list.

Respecting opt-out requests is not just good practice. It’s actually the law. Ensure that your team maintains and follows a clean internal “Do Not Call” list. It should check against Canada’s National Do Not Call List which the Government of Canada refers to as “a consumer’s choice, a telemarketer’s responsibility.”

Utilize DaFeeder.

Melo Technology’s DaFeeder Telemarketing is a web-based telemarketing software. It allows you to create calling campaigns that specifically cater to your call centre’s target audiences. As well, DaFeeder enables your call centre reps to call your leads with the simple click of an on-screen button. For more information, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 1-888-MELOTEL or fill out the form on our Contact page!