1. DON’T worry! Remember that you have a legitimate reason to be phoning up and you’re not wasting anyone’s time.
2. DO be honest. If you’re making an introductory call, tell the person you’re speaking to on the phone. Even if they don’t want the product, they’ll respect you for being honest.
3. DON’T make cold calls. Make sure you’re only talking to people who want to hear what you’re saying. Cold calls put people off – your time would be better spent doing some research to ensure your calls are effective.
4. DO make sure telemarketing is part of your overall marketing strategy so whatever you say on the phone will reinforce the messages you’re spreading by email and advertising.
5. DON’T use a script – you want to sound personal, not robotic. With no script, you’re flexible enough to ask and answer questions. Telemarketing is about keeping lines of communication open and it’s vital that those lines are two-way.
6. DO take notes during the call. Ensure you’re speaking to the right person and if you’re not, find out who that person is. If the company doesn’t want the product now, they might like it in a few months time so remember to write down a date to call back.
7. DO smile – the person you’re calling will be able to hear it in your voice. It’ll also help you feel calmer and more positive during the call.
8. DON’T get discouraged. If the person you’re speaking to isn’t interested, thank them for their time anyway (while smiling!) and move on.
9. DO be patient. You’ll get through to an interested customer eventually. It’s worth remembering that even “unsuccessful” calls are worthwhile – you’ve still reinforced the company’s brand just by talking about it and you may now be a small step away from generating a strong lead.
10. ALWAYS end your working day with a successful call. You’ll be able to leave on a high, enjoy your evening and feel motivated to go back for more calling tomorrow.

If you’re still feeling a bit daunted by telemarketing, call in the experts! Jan Webb at Creating Sales has twenty years’ experience in the sales sector. If you’d like to talk to her about how telemarketing can benefit your business, give her call on 01483 270 310 – she’d love to hear from you!