Both inbound and outbound telemarketing have the same overarching goal – to pique the attention and interests of potential customers.
Businesses that keep up with technological advances can now connect easily with their consumers and clients through multiple channels.
Despite all the technological breakthroughs in recent years, telemarketing is still one of the most dependable methods to spread the word about a business.
Even before the pandemic, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) firms specializing in inbound and outbound telemarketing are already flourishing.
Telemarketing industry
As per IBISWorld, the US telemarketing industry is predicted to grow 1.9% in 2022, making it one of the most growing businesses in the market and commercial sphere. Telemarketing employs direct marketing as a strategy.
Because the telemarketing industry is already well-known worldwide, many businesses are exploring new avenues with the aid of inbound and outbound telemarketing.
Telemarketing undoubtedly provides several benefits for businesses participating in it. Generally, it provides you with the following:
— More involved customized sales experience
— Quickly establish rapport with clients
— State technical difficulties
— Create appointments and leads
— Expand sales zone
— More clients reach
— Sell to both current and potential clients
— Accomplish quantifiable outcomes
Managing both inbound and outbound telemarketing services is often regarded as the most successful strategy in the telemarketing industry.
What is outbound telemarketing?
Marketing to prospects using the telephone is the same process shared by inbound and outbound telemarketing.
But the proactive kind of telemarketing is outbound telemarketing. It requires an organization to pursue prospects actively to increase customer awareness of a company’s products and services.
Outbound telemarketing is also known as cold calling. In this process, outbound telemarketing representatives reach out to prospects at any time.
In addition, telemarketing agents may also conduct lead generation efforts. This is where call center agents call prospective customers and attempt to obtain as much information as possible from them.
Because these potential clients are unaware that a telemarketing representative would contact them, they may often disregard the call. Outbound telemarketing is considered more challenging than inbound telemarketing.
But compared to inbound telemarketing, outbound telemarketing is low cost. This is ideal for firms with a small advertising and marketing budget, as it involves outbound calls.
What is inbound telemarketing?
Between inbound and outbound telemarketing, inbound telemarketing entails more customer relationship management (CRM).
In contrast to outbound telemarketing, inbound telemarketing enables clients to contact the firm at a convenient time, which may lead to increased profitability in the long term.
Suppose a client sees an advertisement for a product on television by a particular company. In that case, the customer is the one who initiates the call to inquire about the product or service.
An inbound telemarketing representative’s duties include:
— Take a sales opportunity ahead by qualifying the prospect
— Schedule follow-up meetings with a field sales professional
— Accept orders over the phone
Types of outbound telemarketing services
Business owners who practice outbound telemarketing should also consider the importance of knowing its different types.
Let’s read about the kinds of outbound telemarketing services below:
Customer satisfaction survey
This type of outbound telemarketing service is the fastest route to increasing revenue and reducing costs.
Between inbound and outbound telemarketing, outbound call representatives are trained to develop a rapport with the clients. It helps strike the right balance in convincing the customers to respond to the customer satisfaction survey.
Appointment setting
Inbound and outbound telemarketing both have the same objective when it comes to appointment setting.
However, outbound telemarketing is a lot more challenging because a call representative needs to convince the customer for a meeting.
Appointment setting via outbound telemarketing encourages the prospect to set an appointment with a business. Outbound telemarketers should make the meeting relevant to the customers’ needs and wants.
Market research
Outbound market research is a way to understand consumers’ needs and wants. It is an integral part of business planning procedures.
A firm can provide relevant data through market research to help solve marketing challenges that a business will most likely face.
Types of inbound telemarketing services
Inbound telemarketing may be a high-value sales channel for a company if managed efficiently. Read about the types of inbound telemarketing below:
Customer Service
This form of telemarketing is conducted via inbound telemarketing. Inbound customer service is about guiding the customers in their whole purchasing process.
The typical approach to telephone-based telemarketing is customer service. This occurs when a client calls a corporation for support or information.
Customer support
Inbound telemarketing agents assist customers and manage various requests, such as resolving product issues, answering complaints, and processing orders.
Inbound sales
Inbound sales is a practice in inbound telemarketing that places individual customers’ requirements, difficulties, motivations, and interests at the forefront of the selling process.
It is also a method wherein businesses draw interested prospects toward the company. From there, they qualify the potential clients and analyze whether or not they will match the company’s products or services.
Wrapping up: Inbound vs. outbound telemarketing
Both inbound and outbound telemarketing have the same overarching goal – to pique the attention and interests of potential customers.
The approach utilized and the amount of client interest that is present throughout the conversation are the primary aspects that separate the two.
The primary distinction between inbound and outbound telemarketing is that the former involves the consumers initiating contact. At the same time, the latter consists of telemarketing representatives reaching out to potential clients.
