The term "telemarketing" gets a bad rap in marketing circles. While it’s sometimes associated with unwanted phone calls during meals or late at night, legitimate telemarketing provides significant networking and marketing help. Instead of calling an unqualified list, the best telemarketing companies concentrate on those prospects who have expressed interest in products and services similar to yours.

The best telemarketing companies manage everything for you – from assigning a team of telemarketers to your campaign to providing the training and technology. This gives you the benefit of a dedicated staff without the costs of full-time employees. But how do you find those companies?

You typically have two options: either perform your own research online, or use BuyerZone's free request for quotes service to find four to six qualified suppliers. This way, you'll be able to decide for yourself which telemarketing companies are looking out for your best interests.

Traits of the best telemarketing companies
First, the best outbound telemarketing companies will want to know what your telemarketing plans are so they know which solutions to present. Will you use an in-house list of prospects or rent a mailing list? Do you need the telemarketers to work on site or from the companies’ offices? Who develops the script? What hours should they work? All of these questions – and more – are critical to figuring out the level of telemarketing assistance you need.

Always seek firms with significant experience. While they may cost a bit more, the experienced telemarketing companies will bring a strong history of successful telemarketing activities to your business. Also, find out if the company focuses primarily on your industry or multiple industries – the best telemarketing companies are usually those that can make recommendations based on what worked for businesses like yours. Review in-depth company profiles for multiple telemarketing firms to help narrow your search.

Any telemarketing firm can promise you success – but the best telemarketing companies will actually show you the proof with detailed reporting. These reports can track different metrics for your campaign, from the time spent on phone to calls made per hour to sales and revenue figures. This way, you have an accurate measuring stick to determine if a company is doing a good job.

Additional characteristics of the best telemarketing companies

• Allow you to listen in on calls to gauge effectiveness
• Handle correspondence by phone, email, and live chat
• Work with your existing technology and in-house software
• Clean record with the Better Business Bureau
• Willing to give you references you can contact
• Provide guarantees and stand behind their estimates

Telemarketing services are effective for generating new business over the phone, but they can’t help you manage your inbound phone calls. Read about how selecting the best call center services can streamline your customer service operations without adding a single full-time employee.

Ultimately, the best telemarketing companies are those that treat your business like a partner, taking the time to understand your needs so they can offer a solution that works for one project or a long-term campaign. And the first step in finding the best telemarketing company is using BuyerZone's free telemarketing services quote request service to get connected to qualified suppliers in your area.