Businesses around the world continually look to streamline their operations, with the ultimate goal of saving money on overhead costs. Cost-effective strategies can improve profitability, and nowhere is this more important than in sales. Outsourced sales operations are being adopted by companies of every size and type, allowing them to reach new audiences, reduce risk, and generate leads.

With this cost-saving opportunity, an outsourced sales team can transform sales operations, leading to improved revenue streams and new customers by leveraging the power of a dedicated, full-time staff.

In this guide, we’ll explore the concept of sales outsourcing, including outsourced telemarketing services, Then, and how this practice can save money, improve efficiency, and stimulate business growth.

How Outsourced Sales Companies Help

In simple terms, sales outsourcing or “outsourced sales” is turning over the sales process operations (or a part of them) to an outside agency or individual. There are many outsourcing service providers, each with their own unique way of conducting these operations. Such providers have extensive training and protocols, and many employ advanced technologies to track customer engagements, providing detailed data to the clients they are working for.  

Can Third-Party Resources Really Improve Sales Processes?

When one thinks of using a third-party sales team to improve the operation, many companies tend to misunderstand the value inherent in this type of arrangement. Trying to revamp the sales model without farming out to a third party can often lead to trouble. Examples of potential pitfalls companies may experience when trying to save money on costs include:

• Utilizing indirect providers and services, such as product/service resellers or so-called “solution partners”.

• Handing over sales to employees not qualified or experienced enough to handle the unique tasks. Imagine what would happen if your product engineers also handled sales functions , including reaching out to potential customers – doing so could be a recipe for disaster.

• Trying to create new opportunities by adding commission-only professionals or agents to the mix. In a loose sense, the above examples are forms of outsourced sales, but the reality is that these three examples are situations a smart company will avoid whenever possible. Effective providers have the experience, the tools, and the tactics needed to handle the most critical aspects of operating a business: Engaging with potential customers.

Challenges in Sales 

Many small business operations struggle with the challenges of reaching new customers. The process of sales – attracting new customers and converting contacts into transactions – is already challenging enough. Small companies can face significant hurdles in this department. These hurdles may stem from a lack of experience on the sales team, especially in lead generation and marketing techniques, or may require expenditures a company and its staff are unprepared for.

Advancing Technologies and Sales Verticals

Advances and shifts in technology can also create complications in the sales and marketing arena. New technologies and ever-changing practices become available on a constant basis, and these new features may force a company to adapt its selling approaches quickly. For example, changes in communications tools or evolution of customer preferences may necessitate a revised sales practice to leverage successfully, and many companies do not have the flexibility or experience needed to do so. Social media marketing is an illustration of shifting consumer preferences; using social media platforms effectively has been difficult for many business operations unfamiliar with the tools and techniques needed to succeed in this arena.

In-House Sales Team Costs

Costs represent significant challenges companies face in selling. Overhead costs are always a concern, regardless of the size of the business in question. Having a rep or two in the office is not cheap. Doing more with less has become the mantra in the modern business world, and this has dramatically altered the sales process.

Unfortunately, without careful evaluation and overview of practices, costs can run out of control. The direct costs associated with in-house sales efforts, particularly the cost per lead generated, can harm a company’s profitability, especially as these costs increase over time through inefficiency. It is clear that a solution is needed to rein in costs and to improve efficiency. That solution is the outsourcing of inside sales.

Online marketing has placed the world at your fingertips. By clicking a few buttons or flipping a few virtual switches, your marketing campaigns can be live for the target audience.

But, sometimes even the most reliable digital marketing tactics fail to produce the desired results because of saturation. So, what worked seven years ago may not work efficiently today. For example, you cannot place a banner ad on a website today and expect every visitor to click it.

And, with the rise of digital marketing, we have been neglecting old-school methods like door-to-door sales for quite some time now. But, that does not mean that door-to-door sales is dead.

In fact, with everybody jumping on the digital marketing bandwagon, old-school marketing tricks are not as saturated as they once were. So, customers are more receptive to them now than ever before. Also, using this strategy allows you to engage directly with potential customers and explain your offerings in person, thus building a connection that paid advertising cannot match.

Door-to-door sales or knocking on doors is a lead-generation strategy used by businesses looking to secure prospects while keeping expenses at a minimum. It started in the early 20th century when sales reps would go knocking on potential customers’ doors. Back then, there were no mobile phones, fax machines or the internet and the sales reps physically had to go door-to-door to sell their products.

The fact that customers are receptive to door-to-door sales again is one side of the coin. The other side is that door-to-door sales can be one of the toughest ways to sell, both mentally and physically. It can be intimidating at times. However, if you have a fantastic product, a convincing sales pitch, and a great company backing you, then why worry?

Effective Door-to-Door Sales Strategies

At some point in every sales rep’s career, a manager will tell them that door-knocking is a great way to spark customers’ interest and generate leads. Although it is good advice, not many sales reps are willing to take it. This is because door-to-door sales is hard since getting a stranger to trust you and buy your product is not easy. So, even with little success, sales reps need to keep their heads up and continue making cold calls until they succeed.

Consequently, we have put together seven door-to-door sales strategies that will set you up for success.

#1 Use Doorknob Hangers to Reach out to Missed Opportunities

Unless you are knocking on doors early in the mornings or at dinnertime, you will probably encounter a lot of closed doors. You can use the absence of the prospects as an opportunity to share printed information with them. For example, when you head out for door-to-door sales, be prepared with business cards, fliers, doorknob hangers, postcards or small tokens to leave at people’s doors so they can contact you if they want your product or service or if they can refer someone. Such fliers or doorknob hangers will catch the attention of the absent customers when they return.

#2 Write and Practice a Powerful Script

Even if you think that reading a script is going to make you nervous or you may sound like a cheesy sales representative, you still need a basic idea of what you are going to say. This means that you need to come up with a good script and practice it before going out on calls.

When someone answers the door when you knock, you must be prepared with a compelling script to start an engaging door-knocking conversation.

#3 Hit Four Ws Right Away

When you knock on a door and the resident stops whatever they are doing to answer the door, they would want to know four details right away:

1. Who are you?
2. What are you doing here?
3. Where are you from?
4. When will you leave?

Whether you are there to invite them to a free sample distribution event, educate them about your product, or for any other reason, you need to hit your four Ws right away.

#4 Adopt the Right Body Language

Some people may be a little suspicious of a stranger standing on their porch. And, if you look suspicious or your body language seems unfriendly, they may not even open the door for you.

So, to send the right message, practice open body language. Do not pace, cross your arms or stand in front of someone. This can be intimidating. In fact, you should preferably stand off slightly to the side or a few feet back, instead of standing in the door. And, regardless of how tired or upset you are, always smile and keep your thoughts positive. This will reflect in your demeanor and body language.

#5 Be Prepared to Answer Questions

Even if you think you have mastered the art of door-to-door selling, you will not convert any leads if you cannot answer the prospects’ questions confidently. Once you get your foot in the potential buyers’ door, the conversation can head in any direction.

It is thus advisable that you think about as many questions that might be asked and come up with answers to steer the discussion towards your sales goals. This means that doing your homework is essential before heading out to knock on doors. Spend a few hours studying your product literature or your company website to answer almost every possible question confidently.

#6 Dress Appropriately for Your Market

Do not wear a suit and tie just because your manager tells you to do so. Casual pants and a shirt are good enough. However, whatever you wear should be professional enough and help to control whatever impressions the prospects may have about a stranger knocking at their doors. Of course, you must dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes that get you through miles of walking.

Conclusion

You may hear that door-to-door sales is dead, but this is not true. Door-to-door sales is still an efficient and cost-effective strategy for businesses looking for growth and differentiation. A lot of work goes into training sales reps and targeting potential customers, but people who talk with door-to-door sales reps are ultimately more likely to take an interest in a product and buy it. So, instead of wondering why door-to-door sales is making a comeback, why not implement these strategies to help your sales reps adjust their pitches and look their best.