Who needs manual dialing when you can have a power dialer ready to make your life easier and more efficient?
With so many updates to software and technology, manual dialing is a thing of the past. Or is it? That certainly seems to be the case in the “real” world. For example, you look up a restaurant on Google, and you can click and dial them up. You want to call your buddy to have a bite to eat, and all you need to do is tell Siri or Alexa to dial the number.
And yet, manual dialing is still common in so many operations that rely on calls for sales or customer service. Maybe there’s a spreadsheet with a list of numbers, maybe things are really old school, and salespeople are using a notebook and running down the list.
Even many organizations with updated sales software aren’t yet taking advantage of a power dialer and all they can accomplish with one. And while it may seem like power dialers are made for call centers and high-volume sales businesses, there are numerous advantages for smaller organizations, too, whether in fundraising, sales, or customer service.
Call Logic’s auto-dialer and call management software offers dozens of helpful tools to increase your success and simplify your daily tasks. Call for your free consultation today to learn more!
5 Reasons to hang up on manual dialing and move into the future
Before we jump into the reasons a power dialer is better for your business than manual dialing, let’s clarify exactly what a power dialer is. It’s easy to confuse terms like progressive dialer, power dialer, and predictive dialer.
A power dialer and a progressive dialer are more or less the same. Some sources say the only real difference is that a power dialer automatically dials the following number on a list when an agent is done with a call. In contrast, a progressive dialer waits until the agent clicks before it dials the next number. But, honestly, that seems like a minimal difference, especially since Call Logic allows you to switch between automatic dialing and click-to-call.
A predictive dialer is quite different. This software uses mathematical probabilities to dial multiple numbers per available agent, assuming that only a certain percentage will get answered. So, for example, if an average of one out of five calls are answered, the software will dial five numbers at once. Efficient? Sure. But…
What happens when two of those calls get answered? Only one call goes to a live person. The other caller frequently experiences a delay, and then a recorded message begins. Predictive dialers are risky in terms of compliance, not to mention poor customer service.
So a power dialer is better than a predictive dialer, but how is it better than manual dialing?
1. Efficiency: You were probably expecting this as one of the major benefits of a power dialer vs. manual dialing, but did you know that power dialing software like Call Logic can triple your call volume? And thanks to voicemail drop, you can pre-record your message, so when you connect with voicemail, simply click and move on to your next call while the software leaves the message for you.
2. Compliance: When you use manual dialing for number after number, it’s pretty easy to hit the wrong digit. Do that enough, and you’re bound to call more than a few people on the Do Not Call list. You can read more about compliance and the Do Not Call (DNC) list here or here. Just know that, accident or not, there’s the potential for some hefty fines for noncompliance. A power dialer will only dial the numbers on your list. So you don’t have to worry about hitting the wrong digit and dialing numbers you shouldn’t.
3. Even more compliance: In addition to the benefit of correctly dialing numbers, some power dialing software (like Call Logic!) will scrub national and state DNC lists in the microseconds before a call goes through. So even if you do have a number that makes it through your initial screening, you still have a backup in your software, making dialing a stress-free experience.
4. You can still click to call. Yes, a power dialer can dial the next number on your list the second you hang up with a previous call. You could go from call to call to call without stopping. Sometimes that’s helpful, and it’s a great way to condense your calling into a shorter time. Even so, sometimes you need to slow down. Maybe you need to take notes or just take a break. Just switch the software from automatic dialing to click-to-call dialing, and you get the best of both worlds. The software will still dial the number for you, so you don’t have to worry about misdialing, but you can go at your own pace.
5. Get more callbacks. If there’s one thing that almost anyone in the phone sales or fundraising industry can attest to, it’s that you’ll leave a lot of messages. Those messages can take time – 20 or 30 seconds each. If you make many calls, it’s not hard to rack up several hours each week of just leaving messages. However, you can get not just that time back, but more returned calls, too. With the ability to click and leave a message, you can make more calls, leave more messages, and ultimately, get more people returning your calls.
A power dialer will speed up your process and make your work more efficient. It will help you maintain compliance with FTC and FCC regulations. More than that, though, a power dialer can help you reach more people so you can offer them the benefits of your product or service.
Make more calls in less time with Call Logic. From donor profile management to automated voicemails to built-in compliance, we’ve got you covered in every aspect of your business. Call for your free consultation today to learn more!