Outsourced telemarketing

[TOPNIPPY]

Afternoon all,

I'm hoping to find out more about outsourced telemarketing for our on-line marketing workshops, which are government funded.

We are weighing up the costs and benefits of employing 2 members of staff to make calls vs employing a company to generate leads via cold calling (and if there are any that operate on a commission only basis - what sort of commission would be reasonable - the value of the workshop is £500)

Alternatively, if anyone can recommend a good freelance telemarketer who might be interested in taking on the job on a commission only basis, please let me know.

Can anyone recommend a company that will make calls on our behalf, and charge per lead? Or would we be better off paying a flat fee to a reputable company and hoping for the best?

Having lurked on the forum for a while, 'telemax' seems to be a self proclaimed cold calling 'guru', any thoughts you have on the above would be much appreciated!

Thanks,

Graham

[Danny@BFC]

Hi Graham,

Sounds interesting, who are the target market? is it B2B sales?

would the telemarketer source their own leads or would you supply leads or both?

have you previously emloyed anyone or hired a company to do this and have any idea what the uptake / strike rate is? or is this a new route you are taking?

[TOPNIPPY]

Hi Danny,

It is indeed B2B. The target market is basically any company with more than 5 employees, but less than 250, and to begin with, based within the M25, or the 'Eastern' region of the UK (Essex, Herts). We have found previously that certain sectors are more responsive and have extensive data (however not including DM names, just businesses of the correct size and location, which would be provided).

I have been calling for the last 3 or so months with a conservative hit rate of 1 solid 'sale' every two days. We have the capacity for 10 people to attend the workshop every week, and have previously been achieving this with 3 telesales people including myself.

We're looking at this as an alternative to employing two more telesales staff to help with cashflow. (the previous two telesales staff have since left, as there was a break in the funding and therefore available work).

It's a relatively easy 'sale'. Providing that the client meets certain broad criteria, then they'll receive funding which will cover the entire cost of the workshop, however the dropout rate from them agreeing to a meeting over the phone, and actually being granted the funding and attending the workshop is around 20-30%.

Given the above, I've got no idea what sort of commission would be a reasonable figure (especially on a commission only basis), or what sort of contracts/reassurances would be put in place to protect both parties (one reason that a 'company' rather than individual' seems more appealing at this point).

Thanks!
Graham

[Danny@BFC]

I was going to suggest between 10% & 20% purely based on what I used to pay for a commission only advertising sales person working from home (sourcing their own leads).

The trouble is if you are supplying those leads they could effectively be wasted until that person proves themselves.

do you have a website you could PM me to take a look at? (if you dont want this thread with the site on coming up in the SERPS).

The reason I ask is I may be interested on a commision only basis if you choose to go down that route (I cant comment on hiring a company).

I'd also be interested in an online marketing course :-)

[Andycal]

We've had absolutely no success whatsoever with telemarketing companies - they just don't seem to be able to handle this sort of thing.

We've tried three different companies at different ends of the spectrum and not one was able to pass on a worthy lead. All they wanted to do was book a meeting, regardless of the quality.

I'm not saying they're all bad - maybe we had bad luck, but definitely tread carefully. Luckily, my business partner has trained to become the best cold caller in the West so we have no shortage of leads anymore.

By the way, this Government funding - is it the Director's Development Fund?

[salesoutsourced]

Hi, have just joined this site and noticed your thread. I started Open Door 7 years ago and we are now a very successful and recommended telemarketing company. Would love to chat with you about your requirements, our pricing policy is very transparant, and charge a flat fee day rate. Will of course be happy to supply references

Thanks
Sarah