If you want to be an appointment setter, you have to possess certain skills that are in short supply in today's fast-paced business world. Most business owners hire setters who have already attended a short-term training course that introduces them to the day-to-day duties of a successful appointment setting professional. However, you must also have a wide range of interpersonal skills if you wish to succeed as an appointment setter. As with many other fields, the initial step towards being hired as an appointment setter is simply a matter of mailing your resume in to the companies of your choosing. After you've passed the initial screening stage, you will be placed in an interview process where you'll be grilled about your setter experience, education, and related experience.
Most appointment setters today have at least a bachelor's degree, although some choose to go on and obtain a master's degree or PhD. Most college-educated setters listed on job listings have a bachelor's degree in business administration. In addition to having a Bachelor's degree, these professionals must also be certified by a third-party organization such as The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (TACSB). Some states require setters to be certified by the division of sales or marketing, while others mandate such certification. If you choose to pursue furthering your education after getting your start-up job as a receptionist, bookkeeper, or account executive, you'll likely have to complete additional courses that focus on appointment setting or CRM. Having your CRM or appointment setting certification can benefit your job search for CRM positions that aren't immediately available.
Many professional setters focus their time on specific areas of the job, such as call center jobs or in call center support. It's important that if you plan to be involved in administrative work or support, you need to be skilled at setting appointments. It takes time and practice to become comfortable making appointments. To make the most of your skills and abilities, make sure you're well-versed in basic appointment setting procedures like phone set up and follow-up.
Some companies are turning to CRM or appointment setters to help increase productivity and reduce turn-overs in call centers and other support roles. Using dialers to identify leads and prospects is a great way to save time and money. The initial investment in this tool isn't cheap--at least initially--but you'll reap the benefits long after your initial investment has been recouped. Some CRM programs include dialer software, which you can buy. There are also software and online tools that allow you to integrate your business's contact database with your CRM data.
Most small businesses don't think about CRM or appointment setters when it comes to training their staff. However, most sales representatives and customer service agents fail to recognize the value of these tools. You see them every day, on your phones, responding to customer questions about appointments. If you have a strong relationship with your customers, you'll see them frequently requesting and completing new appointments. This is a cost effective way to maintain your client base.
It's easy to understand why companies are using appointment setters and CRM to automate appointments and contact lists. Your own staff members can use the technology to help with appointment setting, follow-up, and tracking contacts. You'll find that salespeople who are used to managing their own leads will find these tools incredibly beneficial. With the right training, however, salespeople can also use these tools to help close more sales and increase productivity across your company.