Telemarketing is an effective way to market your brand, products and services. While fraudsters have adversely affected the reputation of the industry, telemarketing still continues to flourish even in the age of the internet.

What is telemarketing?

Telemarketing is a type of direct marketing where telemarketers or salespeople call prospective customers to buy their products and services, or to make a donation to a particular organization. These are usually done via phone calls but may also include a fax or the internet.

Is telemarketing illegal?

Technically, telemarketing is not illegal. However, there are rules that telemarketers should follow when conducting a valid telemarketing call. 

Sales calls are only allowed from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Further, when you answer the call, the caller must tell you that you are on a sales call, define the name of the seller or charity, and what they are selling, or what organization they are asking for a donation for. Remember that legitimate telemarketers follow these rules, and violators are most likely scammers. Do not engage.

Common misconceptions about telemarketing

Telemarketing has earned itself a reputation over the years; some may not be as positive as telemarketers would hope. However, not all of the theories or thoughts about telemarketing are true. Here, we debunk some of the most common misconceptions about the industry.

1. Telemarketers are deceitful and dodgy. Scammers are deceitful and dodgy, while genuine telemarketers will provide you with all the information you need to prove their legitimacy. The problem is scammers imitate telemarketing calls to make their calls sound professional. Keep in mind that telemarketers will not ask for your personal details and other confidential information.
2. Telemarketing is outdated. Sure, social media and digital marketing are on the rise. However, it doesn’t change the fact that telemarketing is here to stay. Customers still recognize the value of the human touch, something that phone calls can surely provide. Further, telemarketing has proven itself to be all-around; You can use this for brand awareness, lead generation, and marketing support.
3. Anyone can do telemarketing. This is one of the most common misconceptions, as people think telemarketers just read a script and call it a day. Telemarketing requires a specific set of skills that not everyone has, and professional telemarketers undergo training and tests before making their first call. So, it is not an easy job and not everyone can do it. The best thing you could do is hire a telemarketing agency for your needs and let their dedicated and skilled agents do your job for you.