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Is telemarketing the same as inside sales?

by ckbank
9 replies
Okay. I was in inside sales for a while. I know it's selling over the phone, but I also know telemarketing gets a really bad rap. Would you say telemarketing is necessarily the same as inside sales? My question may not make sense to you, but I'm asking because I personally don't think they are one and the same, because inside sales can be very consultative and for me telemarketing is all about closing the deal on the spot.
#inside #sales #telemarketing
  • Profile picture of the author scottgallagher
    yeah, arguably it is. IMO, in the business of selling local businesses Internet Marketing services, you'd telemarket to 'get' the appointment. Then you'd call (or show up) for the appointment and do your sales process, typically consultative.

    So perhaps telemarketing is LEAD generation and Inside Sales is PROSPECT management.
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    Inside Sales is a big tent that can be considered to include any of these.
    Telemarketing: Sales or Even Appointment Setting
    Account Management: Where an outside sales person closes the account but an inside Account Manager handles it and upsells.
    Floor Sales: Examples would be carpet or furniture. Some would even include non-commission sales like Best Buy as inside sales.
    Lot Sales: Car Salesmen are Inside Sales.

    All inside sales really means is they "sell" at one location vs. Outside sales where they sell normally at the place of business (or home) of the prospect.
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    • Profile picture of the author ckbank
      Originally Posted by Aaron Doud View Post

      Inside Sales is a big tent that can be considered to include any of these.
      Telemarketing: Sales or Even Appointment Setting
      Account Management: Where an outside sales person closes the account but an inside Account Manager handles it and upsells.
      Floor Sales: Examples would be carpet or furniture. Some would even include non-commission sales like Best Buy as inside sales.
      Lot Sales: Car Salesmen are Inside Sales.

      All inside sales really means is they "sell" at one location vs. Outside sales where they sell normally at the place of business (or home) of the prospect.
      Okay. So, I read many bad things about telemarketing. Should that necessarily include inside sales people?
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      • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
        Originally Posted by ckbank View Post

        Okay. So, I read many bad things about telemarketing. Should that necessarily include inside sales people?
        You will read a lot of band things about a lot of sales people because honestly there are a lot of bad sales people out there.

        But there are a lot of good sales people out there as well and once a prospect sees that you are one of the good ones they will sing your praises.

        I barely sell anymore (like maybe 3 times a month if even that) but in the last month I had one couple tell me the best sales experience of their life was with me. Strive to be that for your customers. Strive to give them the best experience of their life when it comes to selling and you will sell a lot more a lot easier.

        Everyone has the story of the bad salesman. It's time to give them a story about the amazing salesman.
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        • Profile picture of the author ckbank
          Originally Posted by Aaron Doud View Post

          You will read a lot of band things about a lot of sales people because honestly there are a lot of bad sales people out there.

          But there are a lot of good sales people out there as well and once a prospect sees that you are one of the good ones they will sing your praises.

          I barely sell anymore (like maybe 3 times a month if even that) but in the last month I had one couple tell me the best sales experience of their life was with me. Strive to be that for your customers. Strive to give them the best experience of their life when it comes to selling and you will sell a lot more a lot easier.

          Everyone has the story of the bad salesman. It's time to give them a story about the amazing salesman.
          Well, part of the reason I asked is because recently I saw a Yahoo article saying telemarketing is dead. Granted, it was one of Yahoo's educational CPA promoting articles, I still didn't know what to think of it. Like I said, I've done inside sales and I liked it. However, I do believe any kind of sales can only be handled if there is passion for the product being sold. Sales is one of the few careers where advanced degrees aren't necessary to make big bucks, but I just don't know where it's headed.
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          Now that's what I call Guerrilla Marketing.
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          • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
            Originally Posted by ckbank View Post

            Well, part of the reason I asked is because recently I saw a Yahoo article saying telemarketing is dead. Granted, it was one of Yahoo's educational CPA promoting articles, I still didn't know what to think of it. Like I said, I've done inside sales and I liked it. However, I do believe any kind of sales can only be handled if there is passion for the product being sold. Sales is one of the few careers where advanced degrees aren't necessary to make big bucks, but I just don't know where it's headed.
            "Puh-lease." And Frank Rumbaskis or whatever his name is says "Never Cold Call Again." Give me a break.

            If you don't know how to call, and you're lousy at it, and you don't want to invest anything in learning how to get better at it (like you would any skill), then what the heck, you are going to get terrible results. And hate it.

            So tell me...if telemarketing is dead, why do the huge firms continue to do it?
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            • Profile picture of the author ckbank
              Originally Posted by Jason Kanigan View Post

              "Puh-lease." And Frank Rumbaskis or whatever his name is says "Never Cold Call Again." Give me a break.

              If you don't know how to call, and you're lousy at it, and you don't want to invest anything in learning how to get better at it (like you would any skill), then what the heck, you are going to get terrible results. And hate it.

              So tell me...if telemarketing is dead, why do the huge firms continue to do it?
              I'm not saying it's dead. I'm just not sure where it's headed and what it can provide an individual career-wise.
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              Now that's what I call Guerrilla Marketing.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Telemarketing is outbound.

    Inside Sales tends to be inbound.

    You'll find a lot of order takers in Inside Sales. They don't really sell at all.

    A telemarketer will soon be out of a job if they can't sell.
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  • Profile picture of the author socialentry
    Telemarketing is like a gun. It`s only a tool in your toolbox, a very effective one but a tool nonetheless.

    The costs associated with telemarketing has gone down and the trend is likely to stay this way.

    Also you should look up the definition of telemarketing. truth is any kind of phone solicitation is legally telemarketing.

    Even if you put zero pressure and don`t even close, you ask permission to send an email,etc,etc. The fact that you`re publicizing your company by phone is telemarketing.
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