7 telemarketing tips - how to become a pro

Career Builder

Telemarketers may get a bad rap, but they are actually an instrumental part of a company’s success. They can help a business build their lead base and increase sales.

If you're interested in entering the sales field, a telemarketing job is a good place to start, especially if you'd like to gain real-world sales skills but aren’t ready to encounter prospective clients face-to-face.

Below are seven telemarketing tips to help you grow into a stellar telemarketer.

1. Know customers by name. Before you call a prospective client, make sure you know how to pronounce the person's name correctly. If you're unsure, check with a peer or supervisor, or research the proper pronunciation online. If you begin a call by mispronouncing a prospect's name, you'll quickly lose their interest.

2. Have an A+ attitude. Begin each shift with a positive attitude and try your best to maintain that attitude throughout the day – even if you get discouraged. Prospects will notice a negative tone in your voice and, again, will lose interest quickly. A positive and upbeat tone, however, can be contagious.

3. Stick (mostly) to the script. It’s important to understand and memorize the key points of the script provided to you by your employer. Become familiar enough with it so you only need to refer to it minimally. Make the script your own by customizing portions of it to match your personality, but make sure that you stick to any language your company requires you to use when describing products or services.

4. Practice, practice, practice. Practice reciting your script or making mock phone calls frequently, whether you're just starting out or have been on the job for a while. In fact, practice your phone calls with a family member or friend. More than likely, that person will help you relax and speak with more confidence. During these exercises, take note of your tone and energy so you can carry both of those things into your calls with prospects.

5. Stay focused. Begin your calls strong and maintain that strength throughout the duration of your call. If you start with a lot of energy and enthusiasm, and the call lasts longer than you anticipated, the prospect will recognize that you have moved away from your script and are flying solo. It's important that you display confidence in your subject matter and interest in your interaction until the call ends.

6. Become an expert. Closely study all of the features and benefits of the product or service you're offering. The prospect may ask questions, and your ability to articulate your answers to those questions can mean the difference between making and losing the sale. Make sure to have all the answers available at any given moment to avoid having to place a prospect on hold.

7. Take note of feedback. If you begin to notice a pattern in the types of questions prospects ask or in the concerns or objections they express, be sure to note those observations. Later, you can share them with your telemarketing peers or supervisor so you can work together to find an effective solution for future calls.