Turning unwanted telemarketing calls into profit.

[jecasc]

Everyday we get at least five calls from telemarketers in the office. Usually I don't deal with those calls since my office assistant get's rid of them. Today she was not in the office so I had to handle the phone calls myself. So the phone rings and there is a woman on the phone asking if I am satisfied with my telephone service and if I would not be interested ... the usual ... So I said, no I am not interested and I wanted to hang up when a flash of genius hit me. Instead of hanging up, I told what a pity it was that she now had called in vain and would she not be interested in some free samples of our products to make up for her wasted time. Since in her job she was probably sitting in front of the computer the whole day, dry office air we had the ideal widgets for her. (We sell all kinds of consumer goods). So we talked for some time and when I hung up I had her address and we will send her some free samples and information brochures and a voucher for our online shop.

I am now thinking about writing a "counter sales script" for telemarketing calls which I will then hand to my office assistant. As luck would have it we have lots of products people in the telemarketing business could use. As I understand it lots of those telemarketers do not work in callcenters where they are monitored but from home and in my country they are not allowed to record the calls without my consent, so this should open up a whole new market. And even if not - this will be fun.

[weeks]

Can everyone here start forwarding the calls we get to you? "OK, I see. Just one minute and I'll transfer you to the right person." Or, "Let me give you the number to call."

I'd suggest you set up a special phone number for this, so you know those on the line are "special targets."

[jecasc]

Can everyone here start forwarding the calls we get to you? "

You are giving me ideas here. That could be a great business idea - a counter telemarketer callcenter where people can forward incoming calls to call center agents specialized to selling exclusively to telemarketers. After all telemarketers are customers too, they need all kinds of products. Those working in callcenters need normal consumer products and those working from home need all kinds of equipment for their work - like headsets.
"What? Sorry I can't hear you. There are a lot of background noises coming through the phone. Is that you daughter in the background? Never mind, because today is you lucky day, you have called the right number. We sell high quality headsets which filter out any background noise. Just imagine how many more sales you can make with a new headset - your voice will sound more professional, you will double your sales, you will earn more money in less time and will be able to spend more time with your kids. Just imagine how our new Telemarketer 2000 headset will change you live. And if you order today we will throw in a free mousepad. "

The possibilites are endless....

[rocknbil]

This is absolute genius. :-)

[creeking]

is there an audible equivalent to an affiliate link? :)

[jecasc]

is there an audible equivalent to an affiliate link?

Well if you forward a telemarketing call to the call center you would get a share of the profit if a sale is made. All you would have to do is get a phone number and then lure telemarketers into calling you. Participate in sweepstakes, participate in surveys, leave your phone number anywhere where a telemarketing company can get his hands on it.

Oh my god. This could really work. This is a marketing dream coming true. Potential customers calling in of their own free will on their own cost. Surely it is possible to find out what kind of people work in telemarketing and what interests they have, how much income, are they single or married, how old they are....

[edited by: jecasc at 7:13 pm (utc) on Oct 5, 2010]

[LifeinAsia]

And they get double points if they call while THEY are eating dinner.

[weeks]

You might want to think about your biz model here. There are people who would sign up (say, $10) for access to a phone number to transfer sales calls to where the caller was pitched a product.

And, you don't want to overlook the political call market. Many of these are still done by live people.

In this case, the person receiving the call could transfer the call for a candidate or cause to a number with someone who wants them to donate or lobby for the polar bears. Or the Red Cross. Feed the Children. Donate blood.

Putting out a real, sincere pitch is key in giving this project an edge. The caller should be allowed to make their initial pitch. Then they should be asked, politely ("Thank you. That was interesting. Now, I'd like to tell you about...") to listen to yours. They interrupted what you were doing, you'll be interrupting what they are doing, but it's all for, you know, communications, community and caring and sharing.

[LifeinAsia]

but it's all for, you know, communications, community and caring and sharing.

All high priorities for most telemarketers. :)

[Old_Honky]

It sounds a great idea, but how do you deal with the pre-recorded calls? We get no "live" nuisance calls at work any more because we subscribe to the free telephone preference service but this doesn't stop the pointless pre-recorded garbage that assaults my eardrums daily. So how can you make a profit from that?

[rocknbil]

how do you deal with the pre-recorded calls?

While you're waiting for them to say "say "yes" if you'd like to participate" you locate your coaching whistle. you know what comes next. <EG>

[engine]

>but how do you deal with the pre-recorded calls?
I wait until they have been charged for making the call, then leave it off the hook for a few minutes.

@jecasc
That's a really great idea.

[ytswy]

Awesome idea is awesome.

Can you transfer calls to a premium rate number?

[john_k]

Can you transfer calls to a premium rate number?

A number you own would be best.

[piatkow]

We get no "live" nuisance calls at work any more because we subscribe to the free telephone preference service but this doesn't stop the pointless pre-recorded garbage that assaults my eardrums daily. So how can you make a profit from that?

Subscribing to TPS doesn't stop the four or five calls per day that my phone display shows as "international".

[Old_Honky]

Subscribing to TPS doesn't stop the four or five calls per day that my phone display shows as "international"

We don't have any overseas customers so if I don't recognise the number I normally don't answer those unless I am in a playful mood, then I keep interrupting them and saying "it is a bad line, I can't hear you properly can you speak up please?" It amuses me to get them to the stage where they are shouting at me.

AFAIC these troublesome time wasters are fair game.

[piatkow]

I don't answer them either but I still have to take time out to check and sometimes answer by mistake if I am expecting a call. Often now I leave the answerphone on with the speaker turned up and only answer if somebody starts to leave a message.

[incrediBILL]

I don't really get telemarketing calls anymore, maybe one or two a month.

They don't call anymore, they know better after the first call.

[shoreline]

Most call centers record and regularly review conversations to make sure they are not deviating from the course; it won't take long for them to catch on...

I'm guessing the person you talked with was not your average telemarketer. But kudos to you for thinking outside the box :)

[RobDog SnoopCat]

Having run call centers in the past, this concept will never fly. As shoreline said, most often times there are strict rules regarding what reps can say and who they can speak to. There are also a whole slew of issues you'd have to deal with that would make profitability almost impossible.

While entertaining, this idea is DOA.

[JCKline]

Fantastic idea! Now you just have to get your boss to agree. If all goes well, maybe this will open up future growth for you in the workplace. Good luck!

[weeks]

While entertaining, this idea is DOA.

As I said, a subscription to a plan to at least attempt it, just for the entertainment value.

[greenleaves]

lol, I've tried this to the annoying low quality link exchange request emails I get (i.e. not interested because your site sucks but mine doesn't. However, for a good price, I can make your site not suck)

I've gotten a few bucks from that, but not anything worth while for me (based on my time to close the sale vs profit)

[Petrogold]

Interesting! All ideas are genius! but is it possible in reality, Folks? Then I have a call center where a few thousand agents are attending customers calls to fix their telecom,internet,bandwidth issues. How could I utilise it by luring the agents to give them commissions for the leads. What products in your mind boss! headset is a good idea,but catch by boss is another threat to agents if checked the calls monitoring records. Give solutions!
Similarly, I get 5-7 calls each day from bank's tele agents to promote their products on credit card, cash in lieu or cash check to repay debts etc.. How to convert those calls to profits? folks, solutions please.

[hal12b]

I usually rip a fart into the phone and tell them to hold... and never come back.

[gmb21]

It's amazing to me that telemarketing works considering that most everyone HATES getting such calls...

[piatkow]

It's amazing to me that telemarketing works considering that most everyone HATES getting such calls...

But some people are afraid of being rude and listen to the spiel. I know that my elderly mother doesn't understand the concept of a call centre and imagines that telemarketers are all local people so she has to be nice to them.

[James2]

bless!

[Rugles]

Telemarketers are usually very close to minimum wage workers, not sure how much an ecomm company can make from that market segment. But ... go for it.

I love telemarking sales calls, if I am at the office and its an SEO firm calling I give them Redz's number and tell them that is our SEO office and they would love to hear from you.

At home, if its a female telemarketer calling, I ask what she is wearing ;-). If its a male telemarketer, I ask if there are any attractive women in their office and to describe what they are wearing. One time I heard the guy getting yelled at because he was describing his co-worker, then he quickly hung up.

Amazingly, these tactics have reduced my calls. They must have a list of numbers not to call again in the future.

[Old_Honky]

This is the best way to deal with telephone sales pests
[entertonement.com...]