Calling from a toll-free number keeps people from answering your call at least 80% of the time. Many factors go into whether or not your telemarketing calls are answered, but have you considered your Caller ID?
Telemarketing and cold calls are the beginning to a hopefully long-lasting business relationship. If you are calling from a distant number or, even worse, a toll-free number, the prospect is already on guard when they take the call.
Nothing says “telemarketer” quicker than a toll-free number. Since you are setting the grounds for a potential deal, you want to start off on the best foot possible. When you establish this relationship on the wrong footing, the client will not forget. By dialing them from a toll-free number you not only limit the chance of them answering to 20%, but you also send a message of carelessness.
There are ways to increase your answer rates, such as calling certain days of the week or specific times of the day. While both are important to consider, one of the biggest factors is using Group Local Match, also known as Local and State DID Match.
What is Group Local Match?
Group Local Match is CallTools.com’s name for Local and State DID Matching. DID stands for Direct Inward Dialing and is a number from which you can dial out and customers can call it back. This differs from a simple outward-facing Caller ID.
When you use Group Local Match, you purchase a prepaid bank of telephone numbers to use when calling. These numbers will match the local or state area codes of the areas you call with your campaigns. When dialing with Group Local Match, the system presents one of your pre-purchased numbers and makes it appear that you’re calling from near the customer’s location.
With CallTools.com, DIDs can be purchased for:
- Local (county area code)
- State (area code within the state)
Do You Need Group Local Match?
Local DID matching results in almost 50% of calls answered. In order to avoid excessive no answers, start by using a Local DID. The most effective method is to use an area code from where the customer lives, as they are likely to think it’s someone they might know.
Although it is more costly to have individual area codes for every place you call, the results they return are much better than State DIDs. State DIDs perform better than toll-free numbers, with about 25% of calls answered compared to toll-free’s 20%.
Why Would You Knowingly Miss Out on Leads?
You have the opportunity to contact almost twice as many people using Group Local Match in your campaigns. It’s expensive to purchase lists or organically acquire your leads, so why would you waste the time and money?
Not only do toll-free numbers decrease answer rates but prospects are less likely to purchase from you when they answer. When they receive a call from a toll-free number they are prepared for the incoming sales pitch, ready to say no. Don’t you do the same when you receive a toll-free call?
Instead, when you use Local or State DID match, the prospect is less guarded. They may think it’s a friend or acquaintance, and you can meet that expectation with a friendly introduction. Keep them engaged and use their curiosity about the unknown number to drive them into your pitch. When you maintain a conversational tone, they are more likely to stay on the phone.
Doubling your answer rates is as simple as using Group Local Match. If you are still losing leads dialing by wasting time with a toll-free number, it is time to find out more about Local and State DID Matching.
CallTools.com offers Local and State DID Match to clients looking to maximize their calling ratios. Reach out to your Account Executive to find out more about how to catapult your answering rates with Group Local Match.
