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Does anyone work as a Telemarketer for a non profit ?

Does anyone work as a telemarketing rep. for the Houston Ballet or the Alley theatre. I saw a job posting on craigslist.com and not sure if I should apply. Any advice on what to expect and is telemarketing a diffcult job.

Public Comments

1. I did telemarketing for a while at a lawn care company before. it isn't a difficult job unless you are really sensitive. people can be very cruel for the mere fact of you being a telemarketer and generally don't want to be bothered. they will yell about the do not call list and make you feel terrible and some kids will play pranks. but you just apologize and hang up on them. its not a big deal if you can handle that. not hard work at all.
2. Being a telemarketer for a nonprofit organization, particularly a performing arts organization, is *very* different than for a for-profit company. First of all, you probably won't be making cold calls; rather, you will be calling people who already have attended events at the organization. The people you are calling already like the organization, and usually aren't upset that the organization is calling. Many will be regular subscribers who haven't yet renewed their subscriptions; you will calling them to remind them to renew, talking about the shows in the upcoming season, etc. You may also be calling people who attended more than one show last year, but have never been subscribers; you will be explaining to them that, by subscribing, they can save money per show. It would help if you've seen a show at the Houston Ballet or the Alley Theatre; the best telemarketers for performing arts organizations are people who have actually seen previous shows. I've heard telemarketers on the phone and they are allowed to spend time talking with patrons about shows -- it can sound like a very casual conversation, as seller and customer talk about shows they've liked. You may be asked to ask for donations for the organization but, again, you won't be making cold calls; you will be asking people who have donated to the organization in the past. You will be asking them to renew their donation. If you make cold calls, it will be for special offers. The people you are calling will probably be people who regularly attend another nonprofit organization's events (for instance, the mailing list from an area museum). You will be calling them with a special mini subscription offer specifically for those organization's patrons. Again, most people won't be angry that you've called. Sometimes, you will get a cranky person. But, for the most part, you are calling people who know the organization and won't be angry that you have called.