Leads and dialers

[midwestbroker]

Here is what I am looking for:

I run some of my contracts through a local IMO. There were using telemarketers but had a lot of bad appointments with them. So, they are now using reply cards.

I mentioned using an auto dialer for leads and they wanted to know more, as do I. They are looking for a pre recorded message that they person leaves their number for an agent to call.

There has been some talk on the forum about using these, but I was wanting to know what works, best person to use (looking for a service to use, not buying the equipment), etc.

The purpose would be for either final expense plans, special needs plans, or Medicare supps.

Thanks!

 

[retread]

Here is what I am looking for:

I run some of my contracts through a local IMO. There were using telemarketers but had a lot of bad appointments with them. So, they are now using reply cards.

I mentioned using an auto dialer for leads and they wanted to know more, as do I. They are looking for a pre recorded message that they person leaves their number for an agent to call.

There has been some talk on the forum about using these, but I was wanting to know what works, best person to use (looking for a service to use, not buying the equipment), etc.

The purpose would be for either final expense plans, special needs plans, or Medicare supps.

Thanks!

Better check the FCC/FTC regs about pre-recorded messages. There has been some discussion about this on the forum already.

 

[Guest]

Better check the FCC/FTC regs about pre-recorded messages. There has been some discussion about this on the forum already.

I hope dialers that leave messages are outlawed by the FCC. There are days when I get 20 or 30 recordings, often several from the same company.

My law would read that there has to be a live calling person on the phone within 2 seconds but no message can be left if the called person refuses the call (ie. does not pick up.) I would also enact a rule that all auto (computer) dialed calls have to emit a special tone that answering machines can use to refuse the call (much like they can determine if call is a fax.)

The second part of my law would read that if MY message says "We do not accept phone solicitations." and if you leave a message, it is grounds for a fine, just like the DNC list.

Zealous telemarketers calling all hours of the night ruined the phone as a sales vehicle to homes and individuals.... thus "creating" the DNC list. I have no doubt these dialers will do the same for calling businesses.

I know I will take flack for this next statement, but I don't think any reputable agent would employ this technology knowing how much people really hate it. Yes, these agents will respond by saying "Oh, but people call me back" as evidence that dialers are "good things." My retort is how many call-backs do you get as a ratio to those who don't... who curse you and your company for wasting their time and using up minutes on their answering machine (many of which only have 15 or 20.)


Al

 

[Delta76]

Zealous telemarketers calling all hours of the night ruined the phone as a sales vehicle to homes and individuals.... thus "creating" the DNC list. I have no doubt these dialers will do the same for calling businesses.

I don't see this happening, at least not on a national scale. Telemarketing to businesses has gone on for a long time and I personally don't think the level of calls have gone up (I can't prove that). As a business owner, I average 3 to 4 calls a day and it takes up less than 5 minutes of my time. If I'm interested, I listen, and if not, I don't. My philosophy on telemarketing is the same, tell them why I'm calling immediately and take an easy "no."

As far as mass recordings, I see that differently. Also, calls at home are different too. As a business owner I expect interruptions through out the day, but at home, I don't want to deal with it.

 

[djs]

I hope dialers that leave messages are outlawed by the FCC. There are days when I get 20 or 30 recordings, often several from the same company.

My law would read that there has to be a live calling person on the phone within 2 seconds but no message can be left if the called person refuses the call (ie. does not pick up.) I would also enact a rule that all auto (computer) dialed calls have to emit a special tone that answering machines can use to refuse the call (much like they can determine if call is a fax.)

The second part of my law would read that if MY message says "We do not accept phone solicitations." and if you leave a message, it is grounds for a fine, just like the DNC list.

Zealous telemarketers calling all hours of the night ruined the phone as a sales vehicle to homes and individuals.... thus "creating" the DNC list. I have no doubt these dialers will do the same for calling businesses.

I know I will take flack for this next statement, but I don't think any reputable agent would employ this technology knowing how much people really hate it. Yes, these agents will respond by saying "Oh, but people call me back" as evidence that dialers are "good things." My retort is how many call-backs do you get as a ratio to those who don't... who curse you and your company for wasting their time and using up minutes on their answering machine (many of which only have 15 or 20.)


Al

The assumption here is that all pre-recorded messages are telemarketing. Most aren't.

Examples of frequently left pre-recorded messages:
- This is Dr. Dentists office. Don't forget your appointment on Tuesday.
- This is NeverPass School. Your child was not in school today.
- etc.

Pre-recorded messages should not be eliminated. Politicians should not be able to use them, but that will never happen.

They already aren't legal in a lot of areas for telemarketing purposes, unless you don't answer your phone.

Dan

 

[midwestbroker]

I am not looking to leave message, I am wanting a pre recorded message to play when they answer the phone talking about X program. If they want more information press 1.

I know that there are places using this since I have gotten calls to refi my home.

 

[360]

What you're looking for is "live transfers". Here is a link that found with a quick search.

MSL TeleServices

 

[Alsky]

Voice Broadcasting.
It can be done with a server in an office connected to phone lines or a T1 etc. You can also purchase a service from some providers of such. We do it but primarily for B-to-B marketing. We also do some non-profit and political campaigning efforts. It's pretty much off limits to run this type of marketing to consumers so we stay away from it all together.

You should review the TSR as well as state/federal laws regarding such before trying it… Lots of liability!

 

[midwestbroker]

Thanks for the info.

 

[Ramond B]

Alsky is right, you can not use them for any consumer dialing outside political campaigning or no profit. It's Unfotunate too because it used to work pretty well. I had 10- 96 line dialers and we sold th service for years to mortgage folks. I sold that and bought a hosted predictive dialing solution which takes a little more effort but can work very well if you will cold call yourself or hire a telemarekter to work for you. The nice thing with most hosted services is that your TM can work from their home and you can manage them with a manager's UI where you can see what your reps are doing in real time. They can live transfer an interested prospect to you as well as the systems these days records every call made for training purposes. Thats good stuff! Try a search on hosted predictive dialing.

Voice Broadcasting.
It can be done with a server in an office connected to phone lines or a T1 etc. You can also purchase a service from some providers of such. We do it but primarily for B-to-B marketing. We also do some non-profit and political campaigning efforts. It's pretty much off limits to run this type of marketing to consumers so we stay away from it all together.

You should review the TSR as well as state/federal laws regarding such before trying it… Lots of liability!