Understanding the Difference Between Outbound Telemarketing and Inbound Telemarketing

Business process outsourcing (BPO) companies across the globe offer two major types of services. Depending on your business needs, you can either outsource inbound telemarketing solutions or outbound telemarketing services, or perhaps both.

How does inbound telemarketing differ from outbound telemarketing? The first refers to calls received or initiated by customers. The second pertains to those calls made by telemarketers to the prospects in order to qualify or generate sales leads. This is the major element that separates the former from the latter.

Major Services of Inbound Telemarketing

  • 24/7 customer service support
  • Toll-free customer service support
  • Live operator answering service
  • Order taking and processing
  • Live support chat
  • Customer relationship management (CRM) programs
  • Technical support and traditional help line support
  • Overflow call management
  • Products and services up-selling services
  • Query Handling Services
  • Reservations and bookings

Inbound telemarketing allows customers to reach the company easily without time limits. Inbound calls can still be accommodated even beyond business hours with the 24/7 customer service support. With inbound call centers, overflow calls can be best handled while business transactions are up and running.

You can’t only utilize the telephone but also online portals where customers can have live chat with agents. Inbound telemarketing services are not only for customer inquiries and updates, but also for taking orders for a product or service.

Major Services of Outbound Telemarketing

  • B2C and B2B Lead Generation
  • Appointment Setting
  • Cross-selling and up-selling
  • Sales and Marketing Support
  • Lead Nurturing
  • E-Mail Follow-Up Campaigns
  • Voice Broadcast Campaign
  • Market research
  • Service Satisfaction Follow-ups
  • Market Research and Survey
  • Database Cleansing

Outbound telemarketing services are very effective when it comes to appointment setting or lead generation. Telemarketers can qualify leads more swiftly. Customer relationships are established and nurtured more easily. Business owners who are looking for best ways to create the sales funnel at reduced cost should consider teaming up with an outbound telemarketing company.

Common Elements between Inbound Telemarketing and Outbound Telemarketing

Though they differ widely in terms of what each one can offer, they also share some common elements. First, both inbound and outbound telemarketing services are performance-based, results-oriented and customer-centric in their approach. Second, both methods are geared towards generating more leads and nurturing them. Lastly, both services are done by trained call center agents or telemarketing pros.

To achieve success, as you know, business owners need to focus on core competencies. But there are those crucial business tasks that are best to be done aside from the core business. Delegating them to more qualified and focused outsourcing partner offers the best and most cost-effective solution. This way, you will be able to concentrate fully on primary responsibilities, while increasing the flexibility of your company, as well as productivity of your core employees.

If you’re in search of the best inbound telemarketing or outbound telemarketing, contact OutsourcingCebu today and experience a great way to grow your business!