Telemarketing companies make large numbers of sales calls on your behalf. These services can be a cost-effective alternative to creating an in-house telemarketing group.

Telemarketing services can be broken into two major categories: inbound and outbound. This buyer's guide addresses outbound calling. To read about incoming call services, check out our Call Centers Buyer's Guide.

Telemarketing services provide telephone sales representatives (TSRs) who can make several different types of calls for your business:

• direct sales
• lead generation
• appointment scheduling
• verifying information/cleaning lists
• research and surveys

With good training and support, the right telemarketing company can have a significant impact on your bottom line.

When choosing a telemarketing company, it is important that you balance the need to save money with the importance of having a high-quality provider. You should think of the provider as an extension of your business, rather than just another vendor. This BuyerZone Buyer's Guide will help you determine what telemarketing company is right for you and launch a successful campaign