Would Telemarketing work for this campaign

[Mileykins]

Any advice for this campaign would really be appreciated.

As you know the Royal Mail post strikes have disrupted charities sales of Christmas cards this year. With this in mind, we developed a fantastic product which has been created specifically for business. We have already raised funds for a wide range of great causes including Guide Dogs, the Macmillan Cancer Trust, Cats Protection and the Anthony Nolan Trust.

You can see more information and view demo’s here www.charitygreetings.com/xmas (http://www.charitygreetings.com/xmas)

We need to get the word out to business about this product and now is the perfect timing. Do you think this would work with telemarketing? We feel it is a relatively simple sale… customers can see exactly what they would receive.

Our messaging being, from just £890 plus your donation to charity you can send an unlimited number of digital greeting cards. All the cards can be personalised and customised with your branding, message, signature and card cover of your choice.

Plus they are totally hassle free - so no more stamp licking, envelope stuffing and card signing.

Any advice on this would really be appreciated.

Thanks,

Craig from Charity Greetings

[telemax]

It's a tricky one and there are many questions to ask. You would have to target the right companies, specifically larger ones who have that kind of budget. What sort of customers do you have already?

Regards

Jonathan

[Mileykins]

We believe we need to target companies with a turnover from £2m to £50m with 5 employees plus. It also warrants a database of over 1000 customers / clients / suppliers, etc.

We have a little stat on our presentation: Did you know sending 5,000 paper greeting cards would cost £1,500 in stamps alone and would require almost two trees?

This is for corporates who are looking for a direct price comparison with using traditional cards.

Sector wise, we have been looking at ecommerce, local councils, hotels and restaurants, airlines, environmental companies. One of our clients is putting a 2 for 1 voucher code to use at their establishment as a festive gift for their customers. Whilst others are putting a code to receive a discount on their online products as a gift.

So, in essence some businesses are using this for a festive greeting, a charitable donation and a marketing tool all in one go.

[telemax]

Then in that case there may well be some mileage in telemarketing but you need to start rapidly. Christmas card season is around the corner and the type of contacts you are after may take a while to reach!

[Mileykins]

Can anyone recommend any telemarketing companies for this?

[telemax]

I' m happy to give you a call, and see if we can help, pm me your number,

Jonathan

[lalaine]

Hi There
This is Lalaine!

Im new in this site!
Then in that case there may well be some mileage in telemarketing but you need to start rapidly.
I hope I can I have some friends here!

Thanks!...

Good Luck!...

[ebonybailey]

This can work as we have doneit very successfully for a company about 4 years ago, happy to chat if you want.

Michael

[maxine]

I would have thought it better to do a very short test to see what responses are. A lot of companies with turnover £2m+ will have their own inhouse tool for bulk email sending and html design and would possibly want to track opens/bounces etc in house.

[DirectorsChair]

Hi
I am most impressed with your site and your product.

I heard today that the post office is taking on 3,000 temporary staff to cover the Christmas post, and I am sure that other companies will take over when and if the Post Office goes on strike. However there still remains the envirnmental factors of wood into paper, and a lot of companies would be in favour of your 'cleaner' method plus the charity aspect.

I have used telemarketing many times with vaying degrees of success. It does depend on who you speak to. A lot of companies deliberately avoid 'the foot in the door' tactics of telesales by having staff who have no authority to make any decision answer unknown callers.

As telesales can be a very expensive, but at times a very effective way of doing business, I would agree with Maxine that a short test may be the best option in your case Mileykins. Of course you could consider using the telephone just to break the ice and pinpoint the best person to receive your offer. Then send a DVD outlining the benefits of using your service containing video and pictures supplied by the charities to support your website.

This way you would be inviting business for this year and next. It is also possible to suggest that the reciopient of your DVD pass it on to others he/she feels may like to use your method to communicate . I am sure the charities would help you meet the cost of the DVDs which would have a branding message on the outside.

I hope these thoughts help.

[Mileykins]

Thanks for your posts... we really appreciate your comments.

Best wishes,

Craig

www.charitygreetings.com/xmas (http://www.charitygreetings.com/xmas)

[Mileykins]

Can anyone actually recommend any other sales channels for this festive product?

www.charitygreetings.com/xmas (http://www.charitygreetings.com/xmas)

Would be interesting hearing your thoughts.

Thanks,

Craig

[ebonybailey]

Craig

I sent you a PM do get back to me.

Michael

[jamesschmidth]

what ever the case... the main point here is that doing it from UK will cost you more in any way... its is possible to telemarket.. but bearing the cost of telemarketers in UK it's not possible...as with this sort of campaign there will be closings but the fact is the ratio is going to be low as the target market is very low. So i wud suggest you to outsource it to India, Pakistan or Phillipines as you can afford to accept even few sales comin in. You can cut down your operational cost upto 55-60%... let me know if you need any help

[ebonybailey]

James, how much do you know about the telemarketing industry, and for that matter the xmas card industry, I'm Curious.

[ebonybailey]

forget my question above, it wouls eem by your other 8 posts that you are either promoting people doing telemarketing abroad or using printing so rather than give good advice your suggested a route that would benefit you. This is not the way the forum works.