There's more to preparing for the federal Do Not Call list than compliance. If your business is going to thrive with the federal Do Not Call list in effect, you need to have other ideas for how to reach your customers-even those on the federal Do Not Call list. Here are some tips successful companies can use to ensure they make money-despite the federal Do Not Call list.
Send out a letter. The federal Do Not Call list is sending us all back to the basics. Direct mail is a billion-dollar business in the United States-and the federal Do Not Call list is encouraging more businesses to get in on it. You can analyze demographics and send out multiple mailings to different ages, neighborhoods, genders, professions-you name it, you can customize for it. If you do it right, you could make more money with direct mail than you did before the federal Do Not Call list.
Direct-response TV and radio. Commercials build up your visibility and make your business look more legitimate. The federal Do Not Call list makes TV and radio advertising more attractive than ever. To keep your telemarketing focus, put your number in the ad and encourage customers to call it for a special offer.
Court the search engines. The federal Do Not Call list is driving more and more companies to take advantage of the internet. The federal Do Not Call list won't prevent you from reaching customers who are online right now, looking for your product or service. Get in front of them by designing a good site and updating it regularly with valuable content.
Get people to call you. The federal Do Not Call list doesn't regulate inbound telemarketing. Direct-response TV, radio ads, and direct mail are effective ways to get customers to call. Advertise a special discount on your website for customers to call in and order. You'll lessen the impact the federal Do Not Call list has on your business.
Get permission to call. You can call anyone on the federal Do Not Call list-as long as they've given you permission. Send a direct mail package advertising a discount if they give permission to call. If you operate a medical or dental practice, ask customers for permission to call once a year or every six months to remind them to schedule an appointment. Ask for permission to call when customers subscribe to your e-zine or newsletter. Don't let the federal Do Not Call list keep your phones silent-get people lining up to get a call from you instead.
Concentrate on forming business relationships. The federal Do Not Call list lets you call anyone with whom you have a business relationship. Get out there to meet more people face to face to encourage them to make inquiries and fill out applications. The federal Do Not Call list allows you to call these people up to three months after the inquiry. A great way to do this is to increase your presence at trade shows and fairs.
The federal Do Not Call list is causing havoc with lots of companies. But you don't have to let the federal Do Not Call list get the best of you. Be prepared with marketing strategies that build sound relationships with customers-and beat the federal Do Not Call list by keeping profitable.
Also see: telemarketing do not call list
