I should know: I worked as one for two years.
Successfultelemarketersgenerally have a 96 percent chance of getting turned down.
With such terrible odds, they will be relentless in trying to keep you on the phone.
Depending on the company calling you, the lead will display a little or a lot of information.
In other cases, they may just have your phone number.
Dont say anything to the telemarketer unless you want it written down on your profile.
(More on how to handle that later.)
This technique has actually worked for me several times.
After the first two no, the client often runs out of reasons and becomes more persuadable.
These are logged as call backstiny gold nuggets for telemarketers.
Do not ask questions.
Do not explain why you are not interested in the product.
Do not show empathy or other human characteristics.
Dont get irrationally angry at the telemarketer.Remember, the computer chose your lead, not the caller.
Its likely theyll just put you back into the lead pool to torture you.
If the telemarketer is being rude, you’re able to ask to speak to a manager.
Despite what they might say, every campaign and business has a supervisor in the call room.
If you dont answer then, they will keep calling.
Dont let the telemarketer call you back at another time.
Anything thats not a hard no will be interpreted as an opportunity to call you back.
When you say This isnt a good time, the telemarketer hears Call me back later!
Dont say Can you put me on your do-not-call list?
or I dont want to get these calls.
This will lead them to ask why.
Be polite, but firm.
You should register on thenational do-not-call listif you havent already.
Unfortunately, it is not illegal for non-profits.
The manager needs to to deal with these kind of customer issues so the callers can keep dialing.
The solution for getting rid oftelemarketersmay seem obvious, but its mostly about the approach.
Make the right choices and you wont be bothered.
This story was originally published in 2014 and was updated on 11/19/19 to provide more thorough and current information.
Erica Elson is a freelance writer who has worked at a variety of strange jobs to support herself.
Her first book,The Awkward Human Survival Guide, is available on Amazon.
