Being a freelancer is all about flexibility, but this is especially true when it comes to using your phone and computer to earn money. Virtual telemarketing jobs are a great example of this if you’re open-minded and willing to talk to people on the phone, you have the potential to make real money in your spare time.
I’ve actually had experience with freelance customer service work before, so I have some insight into what virtual telemarketers do, how they get paid, and what skills they need.
In this article, I’ll go over some basics of telemarketing that everyone involved should be familiar with even if you don’t plan on becoming a virtual telemarketer yourself!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Becoming a virtual telemarketer can be a rewarding career choice in the freelance customer service industry. |
| Developing strong communication and sales skills is essential for success as a virtual telemarketer. |
| Researching and utilizing reputable websites can help find legitimate virtual telemarketing job opportunities. |
| Working as a freelance customer service representative offers flexibility, higher earning potential, and the chance to work with diverse clients. |
| Continuous learning and professional development are important for enhancing customer service skills in the freelance industry. |
| Virtual telemarketing often involves the use of technology such as VoIP systems, CRM software, and call recording tools. |
| Building a strong network and seeking feedback from clients can contribute to a successful freelance telemarketing career. |
| Effective time management and self-discipline are crucial for managing remote work as a virtual telemarketer. |
| Balancing professionalism and empathy when interacting with customers is key for providing exceptional customer service. |
| Leveraging online resources and staying updated on industry trends can help stay competitive as a virtual telemarketer. |
What Kind Of Virtual Telemarketer Is Expected To Do?
Your main job as a virtual telemarketer will be to make sales. This means you will be selling products and services over the phone. You will call potential customers and answer any questions they have about specific products or services that your company offers. You may also book appointments, follow up on sales leads, or even follow up with previous customers to see if they are happy with their purchases.
Your duties may vary depending on the needs of your client or employer. Other things you may do include calling customers who just made a purchase and thanking them for choosing your company, helping out with overall sales, conducting surveys or polls for marketing purposes, and providing customer service via phone, email, or instant message (for example, LiveChat), and possibly more.
Looking to pay the bills while working as a freelance customer service professional? Our guide on how to get a freelance customer service job to pay the bills provides valuable insights and tips to land lucrative opportunities.
How Much Money Can You Make As A Virtual Telemarketer?
As with any job, how much you make as a virtual telemarketer varies depending on the company you work for. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tracks wages across all industries, reports that telemarketers earn an average of $10 per hour (or $20,800 per year), though hourly rates range between $8 and $25. However, since you set your own schedule and are free to take on as many clients as you can handle in addition to being able to sell products or services to existing contacts in your network the sky’s the limit when it comes to how much you can earn.
When starting out, it’s easy to calculate the minimum amount of money you’d like to bring home each month by multiplying your desired income by 7.5 (since there are 7.5 work hours on a weekday). If a more comfortable monthly income is what you’re after, simply multiply your target figure by 8 (since there are 8 work hours each weekday).
What Are The Benefits Of Becoming A Virtual Telemarketer?
Are you interested in becoming a virtual telemarketer? Here are some of the benefits you can enjoy:
You can do the work from home, or anywhere else where you have an internet connection.
You can work flexible hours, allowing you to build your own schedule and adjust it as needed.
You can work part-time or full-time, depending on what your current life allows. This is especially beneficial if you have children at home who need care while online school is taking place.
You can work with multiple companies and do different types of projects within each one. This will allow you to develop many different skills and expand your experience as a telemarketer.
How To Become A Successful Virtual Telemarketer?
Our writing careers have taken many twists and turns, but we both feel that customer service jobs particularly virtual telemarketing are one of the best choices we’ve made. We were excited to be hired by a cosmetics company as virtual telemarketers, but it wasn’t long before we encountered many challenges (such as low pay).
It was our prior knowledge of the subject that saved us from disaster, though; it taught us how to overcome our initial barriers and make this career choice a success.
Before starting your own customer service job, it’s important to make sure you understand what skills are needed for the job. Naturally, there are numerous roles available for virtual telemarketers: answering phones (on hold), scheduling appointments with clients, sending emails to clients, and more.
Since you will be working remotely with a customer service practitioner (one who works in an office) via phone or email at times during your shift, you will need extensive communication skills. Moreover, because you won’t actually be talking to customers in person during various shifts, you’ll need good multi-tasking abilities so that you can manage multiple tasks efficiently.
Some tips for making sure your shift goes well:
Be prepared: Be informed about your company and its products/services before going to work each day; know which clients can be contacted at specific times of the day or week.
Follow directions: When being assigned tasks by your supervisor/boss or by other persons on the team depending on availability (such as another agent), follow through with them without complaining about them or requesting alternate assignments if there’s an issue with them. Remember that even though you may not directly talk to customers all day long you still interact with them through emails and phone calls!
Adaptable: If something uncommon happens during your shift (i.e., there’s a bomb scare near some of their offices due to terrorists), put yourself in their shoes; think about how they would react if they were suddenly called
Curious about the attractive aspects of freelance customer service jobs? Discover the 15 reasons why freelance customer service jobs are so attractive and explore the flexibility, earning potential, and work-life balance that come with this career choice.
Find An Agency That Offers This Type Of Service
If you want to offer these services on a freelance basis, you’ll need to find an agency that offers this type of service. Fortunately, there are plenty of reputable agencies that do.
You should be able to easily find these agencies by doing a simple web search for “virtual telemarketer” or “freelance customer service agent”. Then, look at each company’s website and see if they offer this type of service. If they do, communicate with them and figure out whether they’re a good fit for your skills and personality. You may also consider reading reviews from former freelancers who have worked with them in the past.
Once you’ve found a few agencies that seem like good fits, schedule interviews with them until you find one that works well for you and your clients. Remember: don’t sign up for something unless it’s right for both parties!
Choose The Types Of Services You Want To Offer
Choosing the types of services you want to offer is a little bit like choosing a college major. It’s good to pick something that you’re interested in and passionate about, but don’t overspecialize yourself. If you do this, then it will be harder for you to find work. For example, if you want to work for an online pet supply store and your only experience is with dogs, then what happens when the company that hires you wants help filling orders for cats?
You won’t be able to assist them without learning more about felines first. It’s better if your initial job search focuses on finding general customer service positions rather than specializing in any specific animal-related field before getting your feet wet as an online telemarketer (or infomercial host!).
Familiarize Yourself With The Company’s Policies
Take the time to read through your company’s policies. You should have a thorough understanding of what services you’ll be providing, as well as how and when you’ll get paid.
Get comfortable with the company’s terms and conditions. The T&Cs exist to protect both sides: them, so they can be sure they’re getting their money’s worth; and you, so that they don’t try to take advantage of you financially or in any other way. Read them carefully and make sure you understand everything before signing on.
Read all of the fine print regarding schedules and deadlines so that you know what’s expected of you when things are due, etc., including any penalties for missing a deadline or not meeting your targets for calls made per hour/day/week/etc.
Learn More About Your Clients’ Products And Services
As a customer service representative, you need to know every detail about your company’s products and services. If a potential client asks you questions, you must be able to answer them confidently.
Be sure to do research on the prices, features, and benefits of the products or services that you are selling. Also, learn about the competition so that you can have an edge over them when it comes to selling your products or services.
It is also helpful if you know who your target market is for each product or service since not all will be suitable for everyone. The more information that you have the better prepared you will be when it comes to answering any questions from customers or making product recommendations based on their needs.
You should also look into learning about your company’s policies and goals as well as their mission statement so that they align with yours in case of any conflicts later down the road after starting work with them on a contract basis (e.g., if there are changes made).
This can help ensure both parties’ expectations are understood right away which may streamline any future interactions between employers/freelancers when trying to resolve issues related specifically to policy-related matters regarding employment status such as compensation rates paid per hour per job post etc…
Ready to boost your income as a freelance customer service professional? Learn effective strategies on how to make more money from your freelance customer service work and unlock new opportunities for financial growth in your freelancing career.
Prepare Your Necessary Tools
For you to work from home as a freelance telemarketer, you will need the following tools:
A reliable and fast internet connection. This is considered a bare minimum since your tasks will almost certainly all involve the internet. You may even need to download software or apps for you to perform your job well.
A computer or laptop. You will also need a stable computer that can handle browsing several tabs at once and if possible, video conferencing programs like Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts, etc. If you are on a budget then this article will help: Cheap Laptops For Your Work From Home Jobs
A good headset. This is also another essential tool for your job because this can make sure that you are able to hear your customers clearly and they can hear you as well when you talk with them over the phone. Choose one with noise cancellation features so your calls will not be interrupted by background noise like dogs barking or kids crying out loud in the living room while you are talking with someone over the phone in your bedroom!
A quiet and comfortable work area. Most of these jobs require time spent on long calls which means that any external noises may affect both your and the client’s productivity levels so make sure there are no distractions nearby (if possible) or at least use headphones/earphones during meetings – but always remember not to disturb others around when working from home!
Embarking on a freelance customer care journey? Our comprehensive beginner’s guide to freelance customer care equips you with essential skills, techniques, and best practices to provide exceptional customer support and build lasting client relationships.
Be Ready For Rejection
You’ll need to be able to handle frequent rejection. You’re going to get a lot of no’s and they may not always be polite.
Not everyone is a salesperson by nature, and you may find that this job will require taking a few knocks. Being prepared for rejection can help. Be ready with a comeback line when someone hangs up on you or tells you ‘no.’ Even if it doesn’t work, it can help remind you that this isn’t personal, but simply part of the job!
Sometimes it helps to put yourself in the customer’s shoes; think about how many times people have called and tried to sell something to you. They probably all sound the same, right? You won’t want to sound like them all either! The key is to stand out, whether by listening more than talking or asking questions instead of pushing products.
It’s also worth remembering that nobody is perfect. Some days will be better than others, so don’t beat yourself up if things aren’t working out as well as planned at first. As long as you keep trying your best and learning from your mistakes (which are bound to happen), then you’ll eventually get there with enough practice!
Wondering which social media platforms are ideal for promoting your freelance services? Discover the top choices in our article on freelance marketing: the best social media platforms for freelance, and leverage these platforms to maximize your online visibility and attract potential clients.
Conclusion
Now you know what it takes to become a virtual telemarketer and the best ways to find a job in that field. While there are many steps to take, each one is a necessary step toward earning more money and working from home as a freelancer.
If you’re able to work hard, follow the guidelines listed above, and actively pursue freelance customer service jobs, there’s no reason why you can’t find an opportunity that’s right for you and start making money!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to further explore the topics related to freelance customer service jobs and virtual telemarketing:
100 Must-Visit Websites for Virtual Telemarketing Jobs: A Comprehensive Guide to Becoming a Telemarketer: This guide provides a comprehensive list of websites where you can find virtual telemarketing job opportunities, offering valuable insights and tips for aspiring telemarketers.
How to Become a Virtual Assistant with No Experience: If you’re interested in becoming a virtual assistant, this resource offers guidance on how to start your career in this field, even if you have no prior experience.
Ideas on How to Work from Home: This article provides ideas and tips on various ways to work from home, including freelance opportunities, remote jobs, and self-employment options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Kind Of Virtual Telemarketer Is Expected To Do?
A successful virtual telemarketer needs to be personable and able to speak with a variety of people. They need to be able to share information about products and services in an engaging and friendly manner while building rapport with their customers.
They should also be able to use sales techniques such as handling objections, gathering information, closing the sale, and making follow-up calls. Additionally, they should be comfortable conducting cold calls, answering customer questions about products or services offered by the company, and making recommendations for additional products or services that would meet the customer’s needs.
What Are The Benefits Of Becoming A Virtual Telemarketer?
One benefit of being a virtual telemarketer is that you don’t need any special equipment; all you need is a computer and an Internet connection. Another benefit is that there are no commute costs like gasoline or bus fare which means more money in your pocket! You can work from home on your own schedule without having to report to an office every day at 9 am sharp (if you’re self-employed).
This gives greater flexibility when it comes time for family vacations or sick days when childcare isn’t available due to school closures (if you’re self-employed). Virtual telemarketing also provides opportunities for advancement as some companies allow their employees/contractors who excel at their jobs to make leads/calls themselves instead of waiting on hold during busy times when everyone else has called in sick too!
How To Become A Virtual Telemarketer
Virtual telemarketing is a great way to make money from home, and it’s also a lot of fun! If you have experience in sales or customer service and think that you’d like to try your hand at virtual telemarketing, then this guide will help you get started.
What Is Virtual Telemarketing?
Virtual telemarketing is the practice of managing phone calls and inbound leads for a business via an online platform. As a virtual assistant, you’ll be responsible for scheduling appointments, handling inbound calls, pre-qualifying leads, making appointments over the phone, and following up with clients after an appointment has been made. You may even have some administrative duties like sending out emails or updating databases.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.