Outsourcing telemarketing: Is it worth it?
Is outsourcing telemarketing worth it?
Yes, outsourcing telemarketing is worth it for most companies, because it cuts costs, adds skilled agents, and frees your in-house team to focus on core work.
- It can save a large share of your salary and overhead costs.
- It gives you trained agents and modern calling tools.
- It lets your staff focus on the work that grows the business.
Telemarketing has been around for about as long as outsourcing has. This practice of reaching out to people, who may or may not have dealt with a business before, is one of the forerunners of the modern call center industry.
Today, telemarketing has come a long way from rotary phones and phone directories. Meanwhile, the rise in business process outsourcing (BPO) companies like 123Employee gave businesses a new option to explore, outsourcing telemarketing operations.
What is telemarketing?
Telemarketing is the direct selling or marketing of products and services through calls. As noted, agents direct these calls to people who have dealt with a company before. In addition, they call those with no prior record, as long as they fit the profile of a likely customer.
Telemarketing once used actual telephones, hence the term. Over time, though, technology moved the practice to computers and software.
Modern telemarketing agencies now make these calls using various telemarketing software with powerful features. As a result, agents can reach more than a hundred prospects a day. So lead generation climbs.
Because of its unsolicited nature, telemarketing earned a bad name in the past. Some people did not want such calls. So countries like the US and Canada passed rules to protect privacy. In both countries, people can join national “Do Not Call” (DNC) registries to stop telemarketing calls.
Still, DNC-registered people can file legal complaints if these companies call them. However, the DNC rule exempts calls from charities, political groups, and businesses that already have a relationship with the person.
Telemarketing vs. Cold calling
People often use telemarketing and cold calling to mean the same thing. While the terms do share traits, they are not identical. In short, outbound telemarketing calls count as cold calls. So cold calling is a subset of telemarketing. However, not all telemarketing calls are cold calls, since there are other types.
Types of telemarketing
Telemarketing falls into four types, based on the nature of the call.
- Inbound telemarketing. These are calls based on customer inquiries about products or services. They count as warm calls, because the person already shows interest. For more, see this guide to inbound telemarketing.
- Outbound telemarketing. Outbound calls count as cold calls, because agents start them with no prior contact. To go deeper, read these outbound telemarketing tips.
- Lead generation. Agents make these calls to collect profiles, interests, and demographic data. This is often the top priority for a campaign.
- Sales. Sales calls aim to close deals with new and existing customers.
Many teams pair these calls with appointment setting to move warm leads toward a booked meeting.
Is outsourcing telemarketing a practical move?
Outsourced telemarketing is a sound move for most companies. By now, it is common knowledge how much outsourcing helps firms that want to grow. In fact, even well-established companies outsource because of the many advantages it brings. Below are a few of the benefits that outsourcing telemarketing can bring your business.
Overhead cost reduction
Outsourcing companies usually base their work in developing countries, such as the Philippines [1] . Compared with developed countries, living costs there are much lower. As a result, outsourcing telemarketing to BPO firms in these countries can save as much as 70% in salary costs. So you also save on rent, facilities, and office equipment.
Increased productivity
Outsourcing telemarketing takes a big load off your in-house team. So your staff can focus on the core parts of their jobs. It also spares you the cost of end-to-end hiring and training for agents. Because of this, your HR team can focus on other key roles. Strong lead generation and sales support then flows more smoothly.
Access to skilled agents
Outsourcing companies like 123Employee hire only top talent for their clients. Moreover, these agents get extensive training before they go into the field. Companies that partner with outsourcing companies in the Philippines also gain English-proficient agents with neutral accents. So these traits stay in high demand across the telemarketing industry. To sharpen those calls further, many teams also study proven telesales techniques.
Outsourcing telemarketing with 123Employee
With years of outsourcing industry experience, 123Employee knows the ins and outs of the business. Outsourcing telemarketing through 123Employee brings the benefits above and more. On top of that, you get them at a highly competitive price.
Moreover, 123Employee assures quality service through in-depth oversight. For example, clients get reports of each day’s transactions after every shift. In addition, they can request call recordings by email for quality checks.
So for quality services at an affordable price, choose 123Employee as your partner for outsourcing telemarketing services and other business functions. Contact them today.
Frequently asked questions
What does outsourcing telemarketing mean?
It means hiring a BPO firm to run your calling campaigns. So an outside team makes the calls for you. As a result, you skip the cost of building an in-house calling floor.
How much can you save by outsourcing telemarketing?
Savings vary by provider and country. Still, many firms cut salary costs by up to 70%. You also save on rent, tools, and training.
Is outsourced telemarketing legal?
Yes, when the provider follows local rules. For example, agents must respect Do Not Call registries. So a good partner keeps clear records and stays compliant.
What is the difference between inbound and outbound telemarketing?
Inbound calls come from interested customers, so they are warm. Outbound calls start with the agent, so they are cold. Most campaigns use both.
How do I choose a telemarketing provider?
Look at experience, training, tools, and reporting. Also check English skills and pricing. Then start with a small pilot before you scale up.
Key takeaways
- Outsourcing telemarketing suits most firms that want to grow while cutting costs.
- It can save up to 70% in salary costs and reduce overhead.
- Providers offer trained, English-proficient agents and modern calling tools.
- Telemarketing spans inbound, outbound, lead generation, and sales calls.
- Pick a partner with strong training, oversight, and clear reporting.
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