Possible Call Centre?

[Rossrevy]

I am brainstorming business ideas, I have come across setting up a call centre. You can sell literally anything from a call centre my question would be where would you begin to gather leads from providers such as Gas & Electricity? Home renovations etc. For someone with no contacts and no prior experience where would you begin to look for providers that can offer your call centre work? Then proceed to hire sales representatives.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

I take it you've already called the Gas and Electricity suppliers to ask them?

 

[Rossrevy]

I take it you've already called the Gas and Electricity suppliers to ask them?

This would be my first yes, However with no current call centre, Previous sales etc. I can already see the reactions.

 

[MOIC]

From hamburgers to call centres selling gas & electricity….both with no experience in either trade…..

Limit your brainstorming to what you have experience in.

Then think 3 times on whether to start a new business with the recession looming.

 

[Rossrevy]

From hamburgers to call centres selling gas & electricity….both with no experience in either trade…..

Limit your brainstorming to what you have experience in.

Then think 3 times on whether to start a new business with the recession looming.

True, As stated I am just brainstorming and thank you for your input. I understand there is a recession incoming but the world has to move on and there will be some businesses that will thrive. Just a matter of figuring out which ones.

 

[fisicx]

The ones that work are those where the business owner understands the needs of a potential customer, how to run a business and has marketing skills.

Unless you have funds and skills to run a business you are better off looking for a side hustle. Something you enjoy and can do in the evenings after work.

 

[Rossrevy]

The ones that work are those where the business owner understands the needs of a potential customer, how to run a business and has marketing skills.

Unless you have funds and skills to run a business you are better off looking for a side hustle. Something you enjoy and can do in the evenings after work.

I do have a full time side hustle I make 20k per month passively (Give or Take). I run a marketing agency primarily focused on blackhat adds and small portion white hat adds.

I am trying to expand my horizons onto a more sustainable endeavour.

 

[fisicx]

Expand the marketing agency. Use the skills you already have.

No idea what blackhat adds are.

If I were making 20k/month as a side hustle I’d retire today. That’s more than enough to live off each month.

 

[MOIC]

@Rossrevy the 2 ideas you have suggested are going to eat into your 20k/month profits you're making from your passive income.

Sometimes it's better to do nothing, then do something which you have no experience in.

Unless you are 100% sure that you can find a business to develop (which you have experience in, done the necessary research and can fund it), it might be better to hang on for a year or two before starting a new venture which needs a new skillset.

If I was in your position, I would stick to black & white hats and expand that business. That would be the prudent thing to do, until the economy gets better.

Best of luck though and look forward to your next thread with your next idea.

 

[WaveJumper]

Well if your truly making that sort of money why not buy into an existing business rather trying to come up with something from scratch. You can then put your current skills to full use ie marketing

 

[Mark T Jones]

Broadly there are 2 types of call centre, inbound d and outbound

Inbound involves handling incoming queries and outbound involves finding leads.

Inbound is far more stable, reliable in income and easier to staff - but finding contracts in the first place is very tough indeed.

Outbound is target/ commission led and staff sourcing/retention is a complete nightmare.

Work is easy to find and easy to lose

 

[intheTRADE]

No idea what blackhat adds are.

Basically ad campaigns that are against the platforms advertising policies - such as gambling/forex ad campaigns and usually the term is associated with Facebook ad campaigns

Essentially, it's not a long term secure 'side hustle'

 

[Rossrevy]

@Rossrevy the 2 ideas you have suggested are going to eat into your 20k/month profits you're making from your passive income.

Sometimes it's better to do nothing, then do something which you have no experience in.

Unless you are 100% sure that you can find a business to develop (which you have experience in, done the necessary research and can fund it), it might be better to hang on for a year or two before starting a new venture which needs a new skillset.

If I was in your position, I would stick to black & white hats and expand that business. That would be the prudent thing to do, until the economy gets better.

Best of luck though and look forward to your next thread with your next idea.

Yes, they will eat into the profit but is this not the point of business? As I am young 22 years old I do not really have experience anywhere, is it not sometimes best to just go for it and get experience along the way? Just because you have experience in a field does not mean you will be successful. It is all about understanding the problem, right? Being empathetic from the customers point of view and delivering a solution. My marketing agency is primarily blackhat adds so it is not very sustainable most my customers pay in cryptocurrency. So I am trying to start my first proper business. I get what you mean but there will be businesses that thrive in this recession I do not have time to wait around lol.

 

[Rossrevy]

Broadly there are 2 types of call centre, inbound d and outbound

Inbound involves handling incoming queries and outbound involves finding leads.

Inbound is far more stable, reliable in income and easier to staff - but finding contracts in the first place is very tough indeed.

Outbound is target/ commission led and staff sourcing/retention is a complete nightmare.

Work is easy to find and easy to lose

I have started quoting energy companies just to get an idea if there would be possible sales packages that I could attain. If they agree then I think I may make a go of it, accordingly with a solid business plan of course. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Mark T Jones]

I have started quoting energy companies just to get an idea if there would be possible sales packages that I could attain. If they agree then I think I may make a go of it, accordingly with a solid business plan of course. Thanks for the feedback.

How can you quote without a clear plan or idea of your costs?

 

[Rossrevy]

Well if your truly making that sort of money why not buy into an existing business rather trying to come up with something from scratch. You can then put your current skills to full use ie marketing

Most my money is paid via ****** from my clients, it is not taxed yet. I cannot exactly funnel this into any major business unfortunately.

 

[MarkOnline]

Most my money is paid via ****** from my clients, it is not taxed yet. I cannot exactly funnel this into any major business unfortunately.

Of course you can, turn it into real currency and pay tax on it. Use an accountant to advise you, you will have to pay them obviously but for you its small potatoes.

 

[IanSuth]

I have started quoting energy companies just to get an idea if there would be possible sales packages that I could attain. If they agree then I think I may make a go of it, accordingly with a solid business plan of course. Thanks for the feedback.

Rossrevy, I have dropped you a mail

 

[MOIC]

Yes, they will eat into the profit but is this not the point of business? As I am young 22 years old I do not really have experience anywhere, is it not sometimes best to just go for it and get experience along the way? Just because you have experience in a field does not mean you will be successful. It is all about understanding the problem, right? Being empathetic from the customers point of view and delivering a solution. My marketing agency is primarily blackhat adds so it is not very sustainable most my customers pay in cryptocurrency. So I am trying to start my first proper business. I get what you mean but there will be businesses that thrive in this recession I do not have time to wait around lol.

I hear you, it's just the 2 categories you've mentioned, are probably the 2 worst to get involved with for the next 12 months and perhaps longer.

I'm all for starting a business, but the type you choose is paramount to being successful.

I would strongly argue against getting involved in a business you know nothing about and don't agree that 'a business will eat into profit'.

Why don't you have time to wait around?

Do proper research, you'll then come up with a solution to a problem. That's the start of a very long road.

I do sincerely wish you luck as at least you have the spunk to try and do something.

 

[NickGrogan]

I take it you've already called the Gas and Electricity suppliers to ask them?

No suppliers want domestic leads at the moment, I have a client with 8000 domestic meters - no one wants them,

B2b, slightly better but not much. Call centres are everywhere and many are closing.

 

[Rossrevy]

Expand the marketing agency. Use the skills you already have.

No idea what blackhat adds are.

If I were making 20k/month as a side hustle I’d retire today. That’s more than enough to live off each month.

Not for me unfortunately, I have allot of wealth to attain. I plan on doing allot more than 20k per month.

How can you quote without a clear plan or idea of your costs?

When I say quote I meant just reach out, Explain my situation if I would have any chance of gaining a contract if I registered a LTD company and had a business plan in place. Just testing to see if the demand is there and if it is I could then gain contracts or become a partner. British Gas seem to have a pretty open guide about this so I think it may be a good option.

 

[Rossrevy]

Of course you can, turn it into real currency and pay tax on it. Use an accountant to advise you, you will have to pay them obviously but for you its small potatoes.

Yes, I am going to look into this. I had the idea the government hate cryptocurrency I just do not want to open up a can of worms so to speak without educating myself on the possible outcome.

 

[NickGrogan]

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[Rossrevy]

Rossrevy, I have dropped you a mail

Perfect, will respond.

 

[Rossrevy]

I hear you, it's just the 2 categories you've mentioned, are probably the 2 worst to get involved with for the next 12 months and perhaps longer.

I'm all for starting a business, but the type you choose is paramount to being successful.

I would strongly argue against getting involved in a business you know nothing about and don't agree that 'a business will eat into profit'.

Why don't you have time to wait around?

Do proper research, you'll then come up with a solution to a problem. That's the start of a very long road.

I do sincerely wish you luck as at least you have the spunk to try and do something.

Very true, I will take my time and research and see what would be the best road to take. Just very keen to get started but that is a recipe for disaster with no planning lol.

 

[Rossrevy]

You might find this information useful.

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Thank you very much.

 

[Rossrevy]

No suppliers want domestic leads at the moment, I have a client with 8000 domestic meters - no one wants them,

B2b, slightly better but not much. Call centres are everywhere and many are closing.

I see. I seen a post of a successful virtual call centre they had virtual receptionists for small businesses and large businesses. The guy seemed to have this problem with his cleaning business so he took on the initiative himself after 5 years sold it for millions. Maybe try a different call centre niche and see how it goes. Thanks for the input.

 

[DynamicLeads]

I am brainstorming business ideas, I have come across setting up a call centre. You can sell literally anything from a call centre my question would be where would you begin to gather leads from providers such as Gas & Electricity? Home renovations etc. For someone with no contacts and no prior experience where would you begin to look for providers that can offer your call centre work? Then proceed to hire sales representatives.

Im in a similar boat except I have a product and no/a tiny call centre 5 lines 1 staff members now. They come in for interviews do a few shifts don't come back

 

[Mark T Jones]

Im in a similar boat except I have a product and no/a tiny call centre 5 lines 1 staff members now. They come in for interviews do a few shifts don't come back

It's a tough gig.

You need not just a great product/proposition, but some amazing people management / motivational skills. Even then you'll have something of a revolving door.

I'm not sure why the OP thinks it's a good idea, but they don't appear to have acknowledged the challenges.

 

[DynamicLeads]

It's a tough gig.

You need not just a great product/proposition, but some amazing people management / motivational skills. Even then you'll have something of a revolving door.

I'm not sure why the OP thinks it's a good idea, but they don't appear to have acknowledged the challenges.

The average lifespan of a canvasser is about 21 days, I think the main issue I have is I live in a university town, so the uni students come and go and the locals are not interested in working doing telesales. Its got a bad reputation like door knocking

 

[Mark T Jones]

The average lifespan of a canvasser is about 21 days, I think the main issue I have is I live in a university town, so the uni students come and go and the locals are not interested in working doing telesales. Its got a bad reputation like door knocking

To put it another way, it's a specialist skill.

 

[DynamicLeads]

To put it another way, it's a specialist skill.

In dont know if a specialist skill but they do need to be able to take rejection and keep going forward

 

[Mark T Jones]

In dont know if a specialist skill but they do need to be able to take rejection and keep going forward

I'd say that counts as a skill - but there is more to it

 

[DynamicLeads]

I'd say that counts as a skill - but there is more to it

Its hard , just a bit frustrating. You get a good staff member then they just stop coming back after a few weeks, Ill look into out sourcing. Appreciate the help

 

[IanSuth]

The average lifespan of a canvasser is about 21 days, I think the main issue I have is I live in a university town, so the uni students come and go and the locals are not interested in working doing telesales. Its got a bad reputation like door knocking

I have sent you a message

 

[Lion King]

The average lifespan of a canvasser is about 21 days,

That is I think in my humble opinion that is because usually they are offered a bad business environment with a lousy salary. The serious professional sales companies do not do that and treat their employees well which keeps them around.

 

[DynamicLeads]

That is I think in my humble opinion that is because usually they are offered a bad business environment with a lousy salary. The serious professional sales companies do not do that and treat their employees well which keeps them around.

The environment is great here, I'm offering split shifts that fit in around their uni hours, I think its because its hard, with a lot of rejection.

 

[fisicx]

The environment is great here, I'm offering split shifts that fit in around their uni hours, I think its because its hard, with a lot of rejection.

That suggests your training and approach is wrong. If the leads are properly targeted and your methodology correct there won’t be the rejection.

Which is why you should really outsource to experts.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Its hard , just a bit frustrating. You get a good staff member then they just stop coming back after a few weeks, Ill look into out sourcing. Appreciate the help

I knew someone who ran a very successfully call centre in the murky business of payday loans (it demised when regulation was tightened

It went something like this

- pretty much anyone who turned up to interview was offered the job.

- about 60% actually turned up to work.

- of that number 2 in 5 went on to be long term staff.

The retention process was very strong on management, monitoring and motivation. Proper documentary style team building stuff.

Students are by their nature transitory and, for the most part would rather earn minimum wage in a bar than work hard for commission

 

[Lion King]

The environment is great here, I'm offering split shifts that fit in around their uni hours, I think its because its hard, with a lot of rejection.

I was talking general terms of course why many canvasser/sales reps leave so soon in a new sales job.
Not specifically you. I'm sorry of if you misinterpret that in my post.