Outbound call centers are moving beyond telemarketing

Outbound call centers are moving beyond telemarketing

Faith Ocampo Published on April 28, 2016

smiling-Asian-call-center-agent

Outbound call center services allow brands to reach customers in a more proactive way.

A quick glimpse at call centers today would tell us that they re leaning more toward inbound than outbound services. Outbound’s close links with telemarketing seems to have given it a “dirty” reputation, especially now that brands can easily take their marketing to YouTube or Facebook.

call-center-team-making-outbound-calls

A closer look, however, would tell us that outbound contact centers are cultivating new ways of engaging a brand s established customer base. Today, the typical day-to-day activities of an outbound call center ventures far beyond sales and into more relationship-centric functions.
So it s not surprising that outbound continues to be a non-negotiable component of customer care. Almost every outsourcing company still offer outbound services, although business owners may not immediately realize just how important they are. If used as a tactical approach, outbound calling can heighten engagement and strengthen customer relationships.
As the focus of outbound services shifts from making sales to proactive relationship building, they carry out the following core tasks.

1. Welcoming new customers

smiling-male-call-center-agent-looking-at-photos-in-virtual-interface

Saying hello to new customers sets the tone of a brand-customer relationship. It levels off expectations and allows a business to reinforce its branding and create a memorable impression among consumers.

You might be thinking, “But I can do this through email, and that surely takes up less time!”

That’s definitely true, but voice calls give off a warmer and friendlier vibe. It s a more personal approach, and a call placed at the most opportune timing can instantly place you on a customer s good side.

Plus, outbound call center agents can do something extra for the customer, such as:

• introducing the services a customer is entitled to;
• offering assistance for first-time product buyers; and
• explaining perks and promos.

 

2. Lifting the burden from inbound

close-up-of-smiling-female-customer-service-representative

Compared with the inbound call center, outbound occupies a more strategic position in the customer care landscape. They must be able to anticipate the needs of customers and they have to get there before the customer picks up the phone to dial a brand s service hotline. This lifts a huge workload off of inbound agents and increases customer satisfaction.

Outbound agents therefore need a different skill set, but they need to work closely with the inbound staff. Outbound agents must be able to connect customers with the right products and services, which is only possible through data analytics. They need to extract the insights buried within previous customer transactions to accurately predict when and why their services will be needed.

 

3. Event-triggered calling

femalecall-center-agent-viewing-calendar-on-computer

Part of anticipating the customer’s needs or wants entails watching out for what s happening in their lives. Birthdays and other special occasions are great opportunities to make an offer—whether in terms of products or services. This is closely related to telemarketing, but this way, agents are more likely to get the timing right.

 

Shifting to proactive customer support

By focusing on more proactive activities, outbound call centers allow the inbound component of the company to focus on incoming calls. If you re planning to absorb an outbound sector for your customer care program, the easiest way to start is by welcoming new customers. This will allow you to get a feel of how your customers would respond to you. From there, you can create additional outbound programs that fit the preferences of your target market.

Faith is a digital media enthusiast aiming to become an active part of the tech world by sharing her insights. She likes to blog about everything digimarketing, technology, and social media.
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK
Open Access BPO
Open Access BPO15 hours ago
Among other benefits, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 monitors and reviews user-generated content to:
• ensure the safety of customers;
• combat spam and potential scams;
• prevent misinformation and fake news;
• boost user experience; and
• cultivate an inclusive community.

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀?
Explore the fascinating types of #ContentModeration shaping the digital landscape: https://buff.ly/3WR5rn5

----------
Work with our content experts to build a community where everyone feels heard and protected: OpenAccessBPO.com/get-started

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
Open Access BPO
Open Access BPO1 day ago
Preventing your customers from leaving your brand may not be as easy as it sounds, but here are 5 tips your outsourced #CallCenter's customer retention team must consider: https://buff.ly/3Nem7Sb

----------
Ensure brand loyalty with Open Access BPO's high-quality #CustomerSupport. Contact us today: OpenAccessBPO.com/get-started

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#CustomerRetention
Open Access BPO
Open Access BPO2 days ago
#CallCenter Team Leaders drive progress and ensure top-notch service for your brand's customers.

Want to unlock the secrets to becoming an extraordinary leader for your team?
Here are the 5 biggest enemies of great leadership, along with a few tips on how to be a good leader: https://buff.ly/45LagCr

----------
Partner with Open Access BPO. We have great call center agents and team leaders to guarantee your brand's growth: OpenAccessBPO.com/get-started

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
Open Access BPO
Open Access BPO5 days ago
To build a truly customer-centric organization, your #CustomerExperience team must be highly emotionally intelligent.

Here are the 5 advantages of cultivating #EmotionalIntelligence among your #CallCenter staff: https://buff.ly/43uHbcu

----------
Connect with an #outsourcing firm that can deeply connect with your customers: OpenAccessBPO.com/get-started

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#CX #CustomerSupport
Open Access BPO
Open Access BPO5 days ago
Love knows no boundaries, and this month, we celebrate the beautiful #diversity that makes us who we are. 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 honors and uplifts the LGBTQIA+ community, their achievements, and their ongoing fight for equality.

Open Access BPO joins the LGBTQIA+ community in celebrating authenticity, acceptance, and love this #PrideMonth.

Let's all spread love in all of its forms! Happy Pride!

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#PrideMonth #Pride2023
#OASpeaksWithPride
#OneWithDiversity
Open Access BPO
Open Access BPO6 days ago
#FlashbackFriday: Revisit an enlightening blog post that delves into the historic Stonewall Riots, a pivotal moment in #LGBTQIA+ history.

Let's honor those who paved the way for progress, sparking a movement that continues to inspire change today: https://buff.ly/3C9zdd8

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#PrideMonth #InclusivityMatters
#PrideMonth #Pride2023 #PrideHistory
#OASpeaksWithPride #OneWithDiversity
Open Access BPO