Telemarketing
Telemarketing is a method used to make people aware of products or services, it is often classed as a pre sales acquisition activity to gain new customers. Telemarketing can be split into two areas:
- Outbound telemarketing – Where an organisation runs through a contact list and proactively calls potential individuals or organisations with the hope that they may purchase what is offered. Often this can be called as Cold calling, where the recipient has had not arranged to receive the call.
- Inbound telemarketing – Where consumers have been made aware of a contact telephone number and ring to make a potential purchase from talking to a sales person.
The above two methods of telemarketing are the most common; it is also used to develop the relationship between a supplier and its consumers, by the supplier supporting the consumer with the purchasing decisions and managing the account with them.
In many countries a ‘Do Not Call List’ is in existence in one form or another, where owners of telephone lines can request to be included within a national list that telemarketers are required not to call. This has provided a means for consumers to control who can call them and provided a level of protection from unwanted calls.
