How To Start a Virtual Work From Home Call center?

Freebiequeen1999

9 years ago

I get a headache thinking about it LOL

Have you worked in a phone room? worked phones from home? Have you "sold" whatever it is you want t sell over the phone yourself? (or made appointments for it?)

why all over the usa? why not where you live....start a small phone room....with voip lines not too bad nowadays....or contract with an existing phone room that needs another "project" for their telemarketers

sometimes an existing room will share space so you could do that

what are you selling? do you know how to sell it on the phone? do you have scripts? how would you compensate people? Unless it is super easy and super lucrative I don't think people are going to jump at it ...if you offer houry how will you track it? will you have a predictive dialer system set up ?
will you monitor all calls?

the more you look at the logistics the more the idea of just going local makes more sense IMHO

Thanks

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Jeremiah Walsh

9 years ago

I would go with a cloud based CRM such as salesforce or a cheaper alternative as a means of supplying the leads and tracking the activity.

As for the calls, I would go with a softphone of some type. I use Interaction Client by Interactive Intelligence.

That (or something like it) should allow you to set up your phones virtually on each persons PC and give you the ability to transfer, conference, and dial.

Thanks

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Underground

9 years ago

I'm willing to bet you haven even got a proven product you know sells and with a brand name/company recognition already.

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Prime Auto

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Underground

I'm willing to bet you haven even got a proven product you know sells and with a brand name/company recognition already.

You would lose your bet...bad

Thanks
1 reply

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Underground

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Prime Auto

You would lose your bet...bad

Last I read, you were able to get a cheaper deal for them on luxury cars and save them a few hundred dollars a month. But have you tried to sell this already under your own brand with a brand recognition? Or do you have any of that, which people need to make sure you're not some fly by night outfit that will be here today and gone tomorrow.

You're only pitch right now is you can save people money. You think people are going to bite your hand off at that and that just a team of telesales people with that pitch is going to make a killing?

Unless they are skilled as selling and your product offers more benefits than a few hundred dollars savings so they can be sure your a reliable, stable company that provides more value than others, many won't risk that extra assurance they get with established dealers who probably have warranties, agreements and incentives thrown in.

You'll sell, no doubt, but when a hiring a sales team, would you not want to make sure you've gone and proven your concept, uncovered and rectified the flaws, nailed down your sales process, so that hiring these people don't become an unprofitable, stressful noose around your neck. Which could easily happen.

People get blinded by dollar signs and think things are going to work like magic. It's going to be shit load of working hiring and managing 20 people. It will be costly, and you'll only really get commission people with the right incentives, a great product, a good company set up and good average conversion rates, if you did want people on commission.

Have you got any of those things proven and tested?

You're getting carried away, whether you want to accept that or not.

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3 replies

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Freebiequeen1999

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Underground

Last I read, you were able to get a cheaper deal for them on luxury cars and save them a few hundred dollars a month. But have you tried to sell this already under your own brand with a brand recognition? Or do you have any of that, which people need to make sure you're not some fly by night outfit that will be here today and gone tomorrow.

You're only pitch right now is you can save people money. You think people are going to bite your hand off at that and that just a team of telesales people with that pitch is going to make a killing?

Unless they are skilled as selling and your product offers more benefits than a few hundred dollars savings so they can be sure your a reliable, stable company that provides more value than others, many won't risk that extra assurance they get with established dealers who probably have warranties, agreements and incentives thrown in.

You'll sell, no doubt, but when a hiring a sales team, would you not want to make sure you've gone and proven your concept, uncovered and rectified the flaws, nailed down your sales process, so that hiring these people don't become an unprofitable, stressful noose around your neck. Which could easily happen.

People get blinded by dollar signs and think things are going to work like magic. It's going to be shit load of working hiring and managing 20 people. It will be costly, and you'll only really get commission people with the right incentives, a great product, a good company set up and good average conversion rates, if you did want people on commission.

Have you got any of those things proven and tested?

You're getting carried away, whether you want to accept that or not.

Exactly.....you said this better than I did, but this is basically what I was saying....

without a process, a proven sales process, script, "funnel" (if that is what you want to call it) .....there is no way that 20 plus "telemarketers" will produce or even stick with this "idea"....it seems to be just that...an idea, a concept, an "opportunity"....a niche...but not a fully developed "product"

targeting...who to call? targeting...what times to call? who to ask for, pitch, qualifiers,

what to do if you get a "live one"....the idea of transferring the call to the OP (closer) may not be feasible all the time..then what?

How will these telemarketers be paid? what is in it for them? Just commission? If the OP has not called and closed this on their own how can they expect others to do it? Yes, various software and phone systems might work but who will dial for dollars unless it is proven that those dollars are realistically obtainable?

Thanks
1 reply

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dburk 9 years ago

Hi Prime Auto,

Wow, your thread seems to have been completely hijacked by forum trolls... I subscribed to this thread because I have an active interest in your thread topic, but sadly it has been dominated by trolls that seem to be attacking you personally based on their own self-doubts.

I suggest you close this thread and start a new one and report the trolls whenever they arrive. It is definitely a topic worthy of discussion, and I 'd like to participate, I just can't stand going through all of the stinkin thinkin posts. I hope those folks are not trying to work in sales.

And to help those folks that seem unable to see past all of the negative thoughts that crowd their conscious thoughts:

[ZIG ZIGLAR] I really hate my job (great...
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Prime Auto

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Underground

Last I read, you were able to get a cheaper deal for them on luxury cars and save them a few hundred dollars a month. But have you tried to sell this already under your own brand with a brand recognition? Or do you have any of that, which people need to make sure you're not some fly by night outfit that will be here today and gone tomorrow.

You're only pitch right now is you can save people money. You think people are going to bite your hand off at that and that just a team of telesales people with that pitch is going to make a killing?

Unless they are skilled as selling and your product offers more benefits than a few hundred dollars savings so they can be sure your a reliable, stable company that provides more value than others, many won't risk that extra assurance they get with established dealers who probably have warranties, agreements and incentives thrown in.

You'll sell, no doubt, but when a hiring a sales team, would you not want to make sure you've gone and proven your concept, uncovered and rectified the flaws, nailed down your sales process, so that hiring these people don't become an unprofitable, stressful noose around your neck. Which could easily happen.

People get blinded by dollar signs and think things are going to work like magic. It's going to be shit load of working hiring and managing 20 people. It will be costly, and you'll only really get commission people with the right incentives, a great product, a good company set up and good average conversion rates, if you did want people on commission.

Have you got any of those things proven and tested?

You're getting carried away, whether you want to accept that or not.

My god dude...

You act like you know me or something. Do you know how to setup a virtual call center or not?...If not, get out of my thread and make room for others to learn and contribute to the topic on hand.

I've tried to bite my tongue but its getting a little ridiculous. Who are you to question my ability and success while knowing nothing about my past?

Thanks

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Prime Auto

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Underground

Last I read, you were able to get a cheaper deal for them on luxury cars and save them a few hundred dollars a month. But have you tried to sell this already under your own brand with a brand recognition? Or do you have any of that, which people need to make sure you're not some fly by night outfit that will be here today and gone tomorrow.

You're only pitch right now is you can save people money. You think people are going to bite your hand off at that and that just a team of telesales people with that pitch is going to make a killing?

Unless they are skilled as selling and your product offers more benefits than a few hundred dollars savings so they can be sure your a reliable, stable company that provides more value than others, many won't risk that extra assurance they get with established dealers who probably have warranties, agreements and incentives thrown in.

You'll sell, no doubt, but when a hiring a sales team, would you not want to make sure you've gone and proven your concept, uncovered and rectified the flaws, nailed down your sales process, so that hiring these people don't become an unprofitable, stressful noose around your neck. Which could easily happen.

People get blinded by dollar signs and think things are going to work like magic. It's going to be shit load of working hiring and managing 20 people. It will be costly, and you'll only really get commission people with the right incentives, a great product, a good company set up and good average conversion rates, if you did want people on commission.

Have you got any of those things proven and tested?

You're getting carried away, whether you want to accept that or not.

Just a side business..Play money. Not hard to get an incredible deal on an SINGLE Escalade when you saved the largest Cadillac dealer on the east coast $80,000 in floor plan interest by liquidating nearly a million worth of inventory in less than a week.

Stay in your lane.

I would imagine you aren't very successful and won't be anytime soon. Theres an opinion, since you like dishing them out so much. If you can prove me wrong, feel free

Thanks
1 reply

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Underground 9 years ago

So you haven't done any off the things I asked then? I knew it. You're the most obnoxious overblown fool this forum has seen in a long time.
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daniyal100

9 years ago

I used to dream about implementing this method successfully..

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charm01

9 years ago

Most foreigners, especially American and British outsources VA (Virtual Assistant) which offers a very low cost of salary around $300-$400 (imagine a salary that you can earn in a week?) and believe me they are effective, doing calls, chats, email and general admin works, as they also offer incentives for leads they have.

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Freebiequeen1999

9 years ago

LOL>>> another typical warrior thread....people with "alerts" pop in to push whatever...

a guy with a cloud based system will sell it to you

another wants you to outsource....yeah right..many business owners won't speak to people with a foreign accent...they can call all day for nuttin honey

I expect a guy selling mobile messaging will pop in next and another guru

the fact is...I am not here to sell you anything and what I stated was very true

if you have no experience in telesales, and if you can't sell this product yourself you would be wasting your time and money to try to get 20 people on the phone remotely.....

my advice - no money in it for me - nothing to sell you - is to learn how to sell on phone yourself, sell whatever you offer, then make a system for others to duplicate ....and start locally
even if you hire people to work from home, start local, meet with them....train them

if you can't sell it....figure out ...do you simply suck on the phone or is the offer not very good or salable?

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1 reply

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Ron Lafuddy

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Freebiequeen1999

LOL>>> another typical warrior thread....people with "alerts" pop in to push whatever...

a guy with a cloud based system will sell it to you

another wants you to outsource....yeah right..many business owners won't speak to people with a foreign accent...they can call all day for nuttin honey

I expect a guy selling mobile messaging will pop in next and another guru

the fact is...I am not here to sell you anything and what I stated was very true

if you have no experience in telesales, and if you can't sell this product yourself you would be wasting your time and money to try to get 20 people on the phone remotely.....

my advice - no money in it for me - nothing to sell you - is to learn how to sell on phone yourself, sell whatever you offer, then make a system for others to duplicate ....and start locally
even if you hire people to work from home, start local, meet with them....train them

if you can't sell it....figure out ...do you simply suck on the phone or is the offer not very good or salable?

Easy, Freebiequeen.

Serious contemplation of the antics that go on here, can cause you to lapse into a mental meltdown.

There's all kinds of games afoot.

"I expect a guy selling mobile messaging will pop in next and another guru"

Yes.

Just as expected.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

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Freebiequeen1999

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Ron Lafuddy

Easy, Freebiequeen.

Serious contemplation of the antics that go on here, can cause you to lapse into a mental meltdown.

There's all kinds of games afoot.

"I expect a guy selling mobile messaging will pop in next and another guru"

Yes.

Just as expected.

LOL>> yes as expected.....thanks....it is really sad to watch

I expect to see someone pop in after the mobile guru who will offer a "done for you" package...that is the stupidest thing ever

done for you....give me your money and I will do it for you

if stockbrokers did this stuff they would be rooming with Bernie Maddox

I guess this is just such small potatoes that no one bothers ....yet

of course there is the story of McCormick who went to prison along with his lovely wife Chantel for his phoney informericals and paid shills...and Trudeax is in prison right now for his informercial fraud

but they were big money

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bizgrower

9 years ago

Take a look at Alpine Access (maybe contract them) for the equipment/specs needed.

Get tax/legal advice regarding hourly, or if they are independent contractors to start.

Added much later, to clarify:

I meant look at what equipment/specs Alpine Access requires their remote employees to have.
And, they might be a company to hire for your needs.

Thanks
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John Durham

9 years ago

Originally Posted by bizgrower

Take a look at Alpine Access (maybe contract them) for the equipment/specs needed.

Get tax/legal advice regarding hourly, or if they are independent contractors to start.

Lots of people have remotely run, virtual call centers. I have a guy on my forum running one right NOW. It works.

Thanks

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Freebiequeen1999

9 years ago

Oh yeah....it works say the people who would sell you wso's...LOL

fact is...if the product is not a good fit for telesales it won't work period

I remain amazed that people here will try to get others to sell things they can't sell themselves

if you have a good offer, product and you can sell it yourself, then you might outsource

why the need to be all over the usa anyhow? why not start in a reasonable local manner

oh yeah I guess cause nothing to sell to the OP there

Thanks

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Jeremiah Walsh

9 years ago

Are you having a bad day FreebieQueen? Several of your posts seem like you are upset at everyone here. I am trying to find somewhere in this thread that someone is actively tryig to sell something to the OP... and I don't see it.

For example, I just suggested some tools that I am using. Was that selling something I have no business selling?

Please correct me if I am wrong.

Please cheer up and smile. Today is an awesome day!

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Freebiequeen1999

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Jeremiah Walsh

Are you having a bad day FreebieQueen? Several of your posts seem like you are upset at everyone here. I am trying to find somewhere in this thread that someone is actively tryig to sell something to the OP... and I don't see it.

For example, I just suggested some tools that I am using. Was that selling something I have no business selling?

Please correct me if I am wrong.

Please cheer up and smile. Today is an awesome day!

Some tools you are using?? how would this help the OP....we don't know what he is selling...or if he can sell it himself....

you can use all the tools you want...if you can't sell on the phone you won't get results

Thanks
2 replies

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Jeremiah Walsh

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Freebiequeen1999

Some tools you are using?? how would this help the OP....we don't know what he is selling...or if he can sell it himself....

you can use all the tools you want...if you can't sell on the phone you won't get results

OP was asking how to start one. I read into that as how to set one up. Therefore I suggested some tools that will allow him to set one up. He never once asked how sell, what pitch to use, who to target, and so on. Had he asked those I am very sure that everyone in here would have given him advice based on that type of talk track.

Yes, there are people in here that are self professed "gurus" and have no business claiming so. There are others in here who are very helpful and know quite a bit.

Instead of focusing on the problem, focus on the solution and try to help make this section remain an awesome section.

And please remember to smile.

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Prime Auto

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Freebiequeen1999

Some tools you are using?? how would this help the OP....we don't know what he is selling...or if he can sell it himself....

you can use all the tools you want...if you can't sell on the phone you won't get results

I've sold more TRUCKLOADS of new cars over the phone that your post count X100...I asked if anyone would share their ideas of setting up a virtual call center, not their opinion of if I can sell or not.

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bizgrower

9 years ago

OP has been in the fleet vehicle sales business awhile. He posted in another thread about offering retail auto brokerage services. "How do I get this darn phone to ring" was the name of the other thread.

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Freebiequeen1999

9 years ago

Originally Posted by bizgrower

OP has been in the fleet vehicle sales business awhile. He posted in another thread about offering retail auto brokerage services. "How do I get this darn phone to ring" was the name of the other thread.

Thanks.

I guess the main thing is that whatever you are going to sell over the phone, you need to think about the process, the pitch, how it will work, you need to try it and perfect it before you expect other people to get on the phone and (like Nike) just "do it"

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fahadhassen

9 years ago

FreebieQueen is not upset, she just talks about the reality, which can break the dreams for some. I too saw her posts on other threads and nothing wrong with what she says.

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1 reply

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Prime Auto

9 years ago

Originally Posted by fahadhassen

FreebieQueen is not upset, she just talks about the reality, which can break the dreams for some. I too saw her posts on other threads and nothing wrong with what she says.

Why are you taking up space in my thread? If i wanted your opinion on freebiequeen I would have titled my thread "Does Freebiequeen know what She's talking About or is She an Idiot?"

And I would never make a thread regarding things I can answer myself after reading 3 posts.

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Underground

9 years ago

And please, big shot, do go an start a room with 20 people right now, and blow all your money. But make sure you let us know. What a tool.

Thanks
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Prime Auto 9 years ago

I like to think I was pretty reserved, until an idiot without 2 nickels to rub together hijacks my thread, spilling his garbage business philosophy everywhere.
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Prime Auto 9 years ago

Thread closed. No need for anymore responses. Waste of time
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- Underground 9 years ago
  
  Do your thing. Hiring 20 sales people all based on one sales feature that comes down to price, to a market of luxury car buyers where price is one of their last considerations,behind others things you don't even seem to have a clue about.
  
  I'll start with one guy with extensive sales experience, but who will basically be an order taker to begin with a very simple process to close the sale of a mostly pre-qualified, pre-sold prospects and scale up from there as we sharpen and refine things.
  
  We'll see who comes out on top. You'll just lose money big time. A greedy, foolish narcissist approaching like that is going to make you current success a temporary flash in the pan.
  
  Wanting to hire 20 people before you crafted a strong product that is based on more than just price savings?
  
  You obviously got some money for working for someone else, and now think your Donald Trump and are invincible.
  
  I only ever said anything in this thread to try to make your sure you had a product that was strong as could be and had worked out all the kinks, understood your buyers, knew all there objections and had the best process you could get, before investing big money in it.
  
  But you deserve a stupidity tax.
  
  Thanks
  
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yukon

Banned 9 years ago

Here's my 2 cents, keep in mind it's doubtful I'll ever sell anything over the phone.

My advice is look at succesful operations, a perfect example (IMO) is www.redventures.com, these guys started out as average IMers, look at them now. They're like a mini Googleplex on the East coast (US), they're banking BIG time & it's all because of their sales team.

Red Ventures has an in-house sales team, you could probably do the same/similar on a small scale with callers working at home but IMO you have to keep it local to you because of training like Freebiequeen1999 said.

Do the research on Red Ventures, look at how their sales team operates. Get their sales team to call you & try & sell you something, learn from it, use the techniques for your own business.

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1 reply

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MichaelWinicki

9 years ago

Originally Posted by yukon

Here's my 2 cents, keep in mind it's doubtful I'll ever sell anything over the phone.

My advice is look at succesful operations, a perfect example (IMO) is www.redventures.com, these guys started out as average IMers, look at them now. They're like a mini Googleplex on the East coast (US), they're banking BIG time & it's all because of their sales team.

Red Ventures has an in-house sales team, you could probably do the same/similar on a small scale with callers working at home but IMO you have to keep it local to you because of training like Freebiequeen1999 said.

Do the research on Red Ventures, look at how their sales team operates. Get their sales team to call you & try & sell you something, learn from it, use the techniques for your own business.

Props for mentioning RedVentures.

What a great business they have.

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MichaelWinicki

9 years ago

This is a pretty interesting topic.

I gotta say I've wondered what would be involved in doing something like that but at the local level... In other words all the callers would be relatively close so that you could do some local training an monitoring.

The negative would be of course everyone working out of their own homes and not in a central location. And it may require some effort and cost getting everyone on the same page as far as equipment goes. You would probably have to set up some sort of phone system for them and potentially a laptop.

The advantage is that you don't have the cost of the office. Plus you're more likely to get folks applying who are home bound or who have no desire to report to an office every day. I think those folks would trade lower compensation for the ability to work out of their own homes.

Pluses & minuses.

Interesting topic none the less.

Thanks

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LuCub

9 years ago

Best way to do this would be to set them up with soft phones and a hosted dialer. My company offers both plus it comes with tech support.

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How To Start a Virtual Work From Home Call center?

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