Telemarketers sell products or services through cold-calling potential clients. In some organizations, the telemarketer receives a list of names and phone numbers at the beginning of his shift. Using a pre-scripted message, he calls each number in the order in which it appears. He will draw a line through those individuals who have expressed no interest in the product or service. He will circle those individuals who have expressed interest in obtaining additional information. Potential leads are forwarded to the sales force.
Other companies depend on computers to assist telemarketers in making their calls. Such companies have a computer terminal at each telemarketer’s station. The names and phone numbers of potential clients appear on the computer screen. Truly modernized telemarketing centers automatically dial this number for the telemarketer. The telemarketer then enters the appropriate information directly into the computer system. The computer then forwards the potential leads to the appropriate sales staff automatically.
In order to succeed in this fast-paced career, a telemarketer must be open, friendly, and cheerful. He should also possess a thick skin as many of the individuals whom he calls will either hang up the phone as soon as he starts speaking or tell him in no uncertain words how much they resent the intrusion of a phone call during dinner, during their favorite television show, or during any given activity. In order to succeed, a telemarketer must be able to think on his feet. Potential clients may ask questions that are not answered on the script. The telemarketer needs to be able to answer the question without missing a beat and be able to return to his script. Most importantly, regardless how many calls a telemarketer makes, he must sound as though he is speaking directly to the potential client and that he is interested in the product or service that he is trying to sell. Excellent communications skills, clear diction, and attention to detail are paramount.
Most companies require a high school diploma or GED in order to become a telemarketer. For individuals who truly want to succeed, taking classes in diction, public speaking, and sales will propel their careers forward.
According to the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics lists over 307,000 individuals employed as telemarketers, and it expects an increase of approximately 1.8 percent. The median annual wage for a telemarketer is $21,810, with the upper ten percent of telemarketers earning $37,660 per year and the lower ten percent earning $15,760 per year.
Data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
The salary range for Telemarketing begins around $15,760 and usually tops out around $37,660, with a mean in the neighborhood of $26,710. This is about 63% lower than the national average for annual salaries.
Data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
The growth outlook for Telemarketing careers is estimated at about 1.8% while the estimated growth for all career fields over that same span is at about 10.12%. Over the next six years, Telemarketing jobs are expected to grow at a 462% lower rate than the national average for annual salaries.