{"id":4760,"date":"2021-10-01T14:19:41","date_gmt":"2021-10-01T19:19:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/?p=4760"},"modified":"2024-08-05T16:39:25","modified_gmt":"2024-08-05T21:39:25","slug":"10-best-practices-for-outbound-dialing-productivity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/blog\/10-best-practices-for-outbound-dialing-productivity\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Best Practices for Outbound Dialing Productivity"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-4761 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/activeprospect.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/outbounddialing_blog.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"3335\" height=\"1460\" srcset=\"https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/outbounddialing_blog.png 3335w, https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/outbounddialing_blog-300x131.png 300w, https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/outbounddialing_blog-1024x448.png 1024w, https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/outbounddialing_blog-768x336.png 768w, https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/outbounddialing_blog-1536x672.png 1536w, https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/outbounddialing_blog-2048x897.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 3335px) 100vw, 3335px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This post was originally covered in a presentation by Nima Hakimi, CEO at <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.convoso.com\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Convoso<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and Lisa Leight, VP of Marketing at Convoso, at Contact.io 2021.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the ever-increasing competition in the lead gen space, outbound contact centers need to be expertly managing many different factors just to keep pace.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, what can you do to actually stay ahead, drive more top line revenue, and increase profit?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here we\u2019ve highlighted the top ten best practices to boost outbound dialing productivity for your call center:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><b> Understand your cost-per-acquisition.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s not enough to know your overall cost-per-acquisition (CPA). You need to understand your CPA at every level to get the full picture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much are you spending at the list level? At the list vendor level?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll want to measure this on a regular basis and in real time, so you can correct overspending as it happens. Without robust CPA monitoring, you could be losing serious money.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><b> Monitor call flagging and blocking.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thanks to carriers and third-party apps stepping up their game to combat illegal robocalling, call flagging and blocking is becoming an increasingly challenging problem these days for legit operations that have express written consent to contact consumers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to whether or not your calls are getting through, ignorance is <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">not <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bliss.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s essential to gain insight into which numbers are being flagged, blocked, or added to the complaints database so you don\u2019t get caught up in litigation. Furthermore, these insights should be integrated with your dialer so that you can make decisions in real time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><b> Dial smarter, not harder.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protect your caller ID reputation by utilizing intelligent outreach strategies. Some strategies to add to your toolbox include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Omnichannel approach<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 Are you switching it up? Different outreach methods will net different results, depending on the lead. If calling isn\u2019t working, try an SMS or a voicemail drop.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Redial\/recycle logic<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 Are you using automated lead follow-up to capitalize on the data? Automation allows you to choose the best follow-up depending on different data factors, like the last disposition codet.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Vary cadences by type of leads<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 Do all of your cadences look the same? They shouldn\u2019t. After all, your leads aren\u2019t all the same. You should be using different outreach strategies for high-intent vs. low-intent leads. Use lead data to optimize your dialing strategy and script to increase conversions.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li><b> Brand your identity.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Branding is an important aspect of marketing that extends to your outbound dialing efforts \u2013 it just looks a little different.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best way to brand your contact marketing is by verifying your identity. Just like getting a verified blue check on Twitter, this signals to consumers that you are who you say you are, thereby increasing trust and response rate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For calls, we suggest using Verified Calls by Google. This feature for Android phones allows businesses to display business name, logo, and reason for calling on the incoming call screen. The feature establishes trust and sets your agents up for a successful conversation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For SMS, we suggest using <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.campaignregistry.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Campaign Registry.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Campaign Registry is a reputation authority that works with most major carriers to brand your identity and increase deliverability for text messages by adhering to the best practices as outlined by the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"5\">\n<li><b> Protect your reputation.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We already touched on how crucial it is to regularly monitor call flagging and blocking. While it\u2019s important to react to that in real time, we also recommend proactively monitoring your DIDs. To do this, you need an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.convoso.com\/blog\/large-outbound-call-center-best-practices\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">outbound call center management<\/a> to control end set the call volume per DID, and make sure you\u2019re using the right number of DIDs for each area.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This will greatly reduce the likelihood of your dialer getting flagged and blocked. You don\u2019t want flagged numbers associated with your business, so you\u2019ll also want to automatically replace and\/or rotate DIDs to avoid this.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"6\">\n<li><b> Understand and account for STIR\/SHAKEN standards.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/call-authentication\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, \u201cSTIR\/SHAKEN are acronyms for the Secure Telephone Identity Revisited (STIR) and Signature-based Handling of Asserted Information Using toKENs (SHAKEN) standards.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Essentially, STIR\/SHAKEN allows carriers to verify the legitimacy of your caller ID and ensure that the consumer receiving your call is actually seeing the correct number displayed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What does that mean for your business?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compliant-minded businesses need to ensure that their calls are being signed with A-level attestation for best reception. Check with your software provider to make sure they\u2019re set up to provide you with this.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"7\">\n<li><b> Personalize your pitch with dynamic scripting.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Personalization is one of the best tools in the modern outreach marketer\u2019s toolkit \u2013 and we\u2019re not just talking about saying the consumer\u2019s name at the beginning of the call, although that\u2019s certainly a nice touch.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With all the lead data available to you, you need to be leveraging dynamic scripting. This allows you to personalize conversations based on lead data so that your agents aren\u2019t just reciting a generic script.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not only will dynamic scripting reduce training costs and times, it\u2019s also an excellent tool to support compliance. These days, having the ability to script for special language or disclosures required by state or region is imperative for staying compliant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"8\">\n<li><b> Maximize your agents\u2019 time.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s the unfortunate truth that the majority of calls are now going to answering machines, which is a waste of your agents\u2019 time and your money.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can avoid some of that loss by ensuring maximum accuracy in answering machine detection. Doing so will minimize unproductive time, reduce your CPAs, and improve agent moral and engagement. No one likes talking to a voicemail. It\u2019s also important to keep your agents from getting rusty talking to machines all day instead of real consumers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"9\">\n<li><b> Act quickly to beat the competition.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the contact industry, speed to lead is essential. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/2011\/03\/the-short-life-of-online-sales-leads\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Studies show<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that conversion rates and follow-up times are inversely related, meaning the less time between when your lead fills out your form and when your agent calls them, the better.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure your system is set up so that the high-intent and competitive leads go to the front of the queue.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"10\">\n<li><b> Quickly adapt to changing regulations.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You didn\u2019t think we\u2019d forget to mention the TCPA, did you?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.convoso.com\/blog\/biggest-call-center-costs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">outbound call center<\/a>, compliance is key. Unfortunately, it can be tricky to keep up with all the rules and regulations, especially <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/the-2021-state-of-the-contact-industry-data-optimization-automation-and-tcpa-legislation\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as they keep changing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To save yourself the headache (and potential legal ramifications), make sure you have the technology, solutions, teams, and advisors in place to help you stay ahead of the curve. A few of the things to stay up to date on include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Call-time restrictions, e.g., \u201csellers may not call consumers between the hours of 8pm and 8am, consumer\u2019s local time.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Restrictions on the number of calls you can make per time period.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An excellent example of this is the restrictions put in place by the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/what-marketers-need-to-know-about-floridas-mini-tcpa-law\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Florida \u201cMini-TCPA.\u201d<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You need to be able to assign your Florida numbers to lists that will follow the policies outlined by that new legislation to ensure that your system is not calling Florida residents more than three times within any 24-hour period.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Required disclosures for your telesales agents that differ state by state.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scrubbing against the Do Not Call (DNC) list.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We know that it can be difficult to stay ahead in the world of outbound dialing, especially for the compliant-minded businesses who aren\u2019t trying to cut corners or toe the line. However, if you follow these ten best practices, you\u2019re well on your way to increasing your productivity and beating the competition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To learn more about how ActiveProspect\u2019s solutions can help you further protect against TCPA litigation and optimize your lead generation and outreach, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/products\/leadconduit\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">click here.\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For more information about how Convoso can help <a href=\"https:\/\/www.convoso.com\/blog\/16-essential-kpis-for-lead-gen-call-center-profitability\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">outbound call<\/a> like yours, visit <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.convoso.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">www.convoso.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This post was originally covered in a presentation by Nima Hakimi, CEO at Convoso, and Lisa Leight, VP of Marketing at Convoso, at Contact.io 2021. With the ever-increasing competition in the lead gen space, outbound&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":4762,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[260,261,111,251],"tags":[],"ap-post-type":[],"ap-post-industry":[],"ap-post-product":[],"ap-post-topic":[315,314],"class_list":["post-4760","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-call-blocking","category-call-flagging","category-compliance","category-tcpa"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4760","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4760"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4760\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4762"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4760"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4760"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4760"},{"taxonomy":"ap-post-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ap-post-type?post=4760"},{"taxonomy":"ap-post-industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ap-post-industry?post=4760"},{"taxonomy":"ap-post-product","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ap-post-product?post=4760"},{"taxonomy":"ap-post-topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/activeprospect.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ap-post-topic?post=4760"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}