What it Takes to be a Successful Telephone Solicitor
From 3arf
Telephone solicitation is not an easy job. Many people become annoyed when they realize a telemarketer has called them. Many telemarketers are yelled at, receive angry reprimands and are even hung up on at times. There are some tips you can follow that can help you be successful at telephone solicitation.
- People Skills. The most important thing about being a telephone solicitor is people skills. If you do not enjoy talking to people or have a lack for building a rapport with potential customers, you will not fare well in telemarketing. You must be willing to engage in short amounts of small talk while speaking with potential clients. The simple truth is you must really like people, to be a successful telephone solicitor.
- Clear Speech. When you are speaking with someone on the telephone, do not mumble or speak too softly. You do not want to yell at someone, but you want to make sure they have no trouble hearing you. Another tip is to not talk too fast. When you talk too fast, you will only succeed in confusing the person you are speaking with. Avoid using "slang" terms, after all, you are not on a casual call. Opt for friendly and professional speech.
- Multi-lingual. It is a good idea to be fluent in a couple different languages. You cannot tell from a name or geographical location whether the person on the other end of the line speaks your native language. The most common languages that companies like telemarketers to be fluent in are English and Spanish. However, these are not the only languages you may run across while working. Do yourself a favor and learn a second or third language because this can broaden your employment opportunities as well as reach a bigger calling area.
- Even Tempered. When doing telephone work, you cannot afford to fly off the proverbial handle. Angry outbursts with potential clients will move them to the "Do not call me again" list. Losing your temper on the telephone can also get you reported for inappropriate behavior. You might also face charges for harassment in some cases. The key is to be pleasant and patient when calling potential clients.
- Know Your Facts. You can lose a potential client/sale by not knowing answers to questions and/or all the details asked for by the person. Before calling potential clients, make sure you have jotted down the highlights of your pitch, (what you are selling/calling about). It is also a good idea to write down possible questions and the answers. It is better to be prepared than to be caught off guard and make yourself appear incompetent.
- Listen To People. One of the main reasons the average person does not like telemarketers is that they are pushy and will not listen to them. Would you want to talk with someone who refuses to listen to you? You will not be successful if you irritate the people you call. Your job is to sell your product or service, not to anger potential clients. Let them ask questions and clarify the small details.
The most important thing about telephone solicitation is to remember it is all about the people. You must have good people skills, be willing to listen and have an even temper. There are manytipsand suggestions that can help you be successful, but they really do not mean much if you do not like talking to people.
