Can telemarketing be outsourced?

As we've discussed before, telemarketing calls are still regarded as a highly effective marketing strategy and tool - even in today's digital age. If performed correctly, telemarketing calls can be a complete game-changer for your business. As one of the oldest marketing tools around though, it's vital not to fall into the "been there, done that" way of thinking. 

Telemarketing today looks very different from how it used to when it first arrived on the scene. It's no longer about cold calling and reading from a carefully worded script. The strategy is researched, sophisticated and engaging. Customers and prospective buyers have changed as well. They want an open and honest dialogue and a relationship that is sincere and productive for both parties.

For all of the reasons above, more and more companies and businesses are beginning to outsource their telemarketing needs to professional, expert teams. Effective telemarketing takes time and a lot of planning, so why not leave it to trained professionals whose everyday focus is on making calls, making sales, and nurturing relationships?

In this article, we'll take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing your telemarketing campaigns. We'll also examine what factors should be considered when choosing the right telemarketing partner, and why we at Spirus believe that we might just be the partner you've been looking for! 

What are some of the advantages of outsourcing your telemarketing needs?

• Cost-effective

Outsourcing your telemarketing needs is the most cost-saving and cost-effective way to generate leads in bulk. Forget about needing a budget for an in-house team and all of the costs associated with that, and allow experts to do the job for you. With all the infrastructure already in place, and with a sole focus on your telemarketing needs and goals, it's a no-brainer! 

• Flexibility

What if, for example, your products or services are seasonal, and you only need telemarketing support during certain periods of the year but not throughout? It wouldn't make sense to pay an entire in-house team to only work certain months of the year. This is where the flexibility and versatility of outsourcing plays a role. Outsourcing will give you the freedom to implement telemarketing campaigns only when you need to. 

• Time-saving

If you outsource your company’s telemarketing requirement, you give yourself time and space to focus on other areas of the business that may need your attention. There's also a good chance that your sales team will become more productive and efficient because they aren't spending time on telemarketing duties. 

• Maximises ROI

Another significant advantage of outsourced telemarketing is that objectives and return on investment (ROI) can be measured straight from the get-go. You will be able to see what your conversion rates are and have a better understanding of how to determine and reach your specific targets. After the first hundred-odd calls, you can start drawing conclusions from the data provided and begin to work out how many calls you'll need to make in order to acquire an appointment, a lead, and so on. Professional telemarketing companies will have a proven track record of delivering the maximum ROI. 

What are some of the disadvantages of outsourcing your telemarketing needs?

While they are few and far between, there are a few disadvantages of outsourcing your telemarketing requirements, and they're important to bear in mind when making your final decision.

• Control

Outsourcing will take operations out of your hands, and any form of supervision will become rather challenging. Things like script creation, the manner in which the representatives speak to potential clients, and having an excellent understanding of the products and services that you offer will have to be placed in the trust of your chosen partner. Of course, a professional telemarketing company will do all of the necessary research to better understand your business and your needs, so these "challenges" can be overcome if you pick the correct partner.

• Flexibility

Just as it can be an advantage, so too can flexibility be a disadvantage when it comes to outsourcing your telemarketing needs. The requirements that you perhaps needed at the time of signing a deal might have become very different from what they are now. If the service provider is not able to grow and adapt to your requirements, then it's a lose-lose situation for everybody. It's important to check upfront what the possibilities are when it comes to adjusting a signed deal should your business expand. Again, a professional telemarketing company will be only too happy to discuss all of this with you and do all that they can to adapt to your specific needs.

• Your brand

Possibly the most important factor to consider when deciding whether to outsource your telemarketing needs or not is your brand! Let's be honest, businesses these days live and die by their social image and reputation. It's vital that your chosen service provider understands everything that they can about your brand and image. This choice can make or break your business, so be certain that you're going with the right partner when deciding on outsourcing.

These are some important factors to consider when choosing the correct service provider for your needs:

• Technology

A big incentive for businesses and companies to outsource their telemarketing needs is gaining access to the latest technologies that the sector has to offer. Investing in similar infrastructure is a monumental budget expense, let alone all the other costs associated with hiring an in-house team. Ask about the technologies that the service providers use. Remember too that some will stay on top of the latest technology trends, and others might fall behind. 

• Experience

Another make or break choice for your business is finding an experienced, skilful, knowledgeable and professional telemarketing partner. Cross-check the companies that you are analysing, and make sure that they have the experience to meet all of your needs. The age-old phrase "you get what you pay for" is often suitable when deciding which service provider you choose to do business with.

• Feedback

One secret to successfully choosing a telemarketing company is to discuss and assess their method of reporting and how they provide you with feedback. As a client of theirs, they should keep you up to date at all key stages of the campaign. The right company should agree to give both quantitative and qualitative feedback that provides you with an all-around insight into how the campaign has gone so far.

• Security

With today’s technology, professional telemarketing service providers offer their services both on-premises as well as cloud-based. It's important to ask and understand what security measures said provider makes use of.

What does outsourced telemarketing look like at Spirus?

At Spirus, we use the trusty, old-fashioned telephone to sincerely connect with you. We work with trusted expert associates giving you the very best service on flexible terms. Often we work complementing and collaborating with your existing team. We are, after all, working for the same purpose, to grow your business.

We love knowing as much as we possibly can about your business and the products and or services that you offer, in order for us to make each call valuable. We strive to ensure that whoever we're calling has a genuine interest in what you have to offer. This is done for our clients, for their potential customers (who will feel that they are starting a relationship with value), and also for ourselves, because we want our work to be enjoyable and valuable.

We follow GDPR guidance because it is the law, and also because it is best practice.

At Spirus, we believe it would be counterproductive to call people, or businesses, that choose not to be called.

So, what's next?

We’re available on 01638 741830 or you can email us by clicking here and asking how we can help you introduce telemarketing to your marketing strategy.

We look forward to hearing from you!