Telecomputers -
Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ's)

Q. – What is an autodialer?

A. - There are a variety of products termed "auto-dialers" that exist on the marketplace.  The term "auto-dialer" is a very broad term that applies to many different devices, such as:  telecomputer, predictive dialer, voice-mail system, speed-dial device, etc.  Even most telephones have auto-dialing capabilities and can be termed "auto-dialer"..


Q. – What is the difference between a "telecomputer", "predictive dialer" and a "voice-mail system"?

A. – All 3 of these types of devices can be used for lead generating and outbound calling.  However, you will experience different results with the various systems. In other words the efficiency will be radically different.  Here's a breakdown regarding efficiency:

• Telecomputers – A telecomputer is a device that is specifically designed from the ground up, to make outbound calls (perform telecomputing), to determine who orwhat is on the other end of the line; then, it must act accordingly.  A telecomputer NEEDS the most intelligence because when it determines who or what picked up the line; it will know when to talk; know when to record; and know when to hang up.  Onlytrue telecomputers have a high enough efficiency   to do these tasks properly.  ALL true telecomputers utilize controlled voice activation to record answers to questions.  This provides the prospect with a normal conversational environment whereby he may speak in a normal fashion without pushing buttons on his phone keypad, i.e.: "what is your name?" (then wait and record response), or "what is your phone number?" (then wait and record response) etc.   These devices are "excellent" for generating sales leads and finding prospects for your product or service.
   
• Predictive Dialers – Predictive Dialers came into existence in the early 1990's.  They were originally designed for "boiler rooms" so as to make live telemarketers more efficient.  Example:  A company sells magazines. They have 10 sales people and 20 phone lines.  A predictive dialer is designed to make the calls.  When someone picks up the line, the predictive dialer will transfer each completed call to the next available salesperson.  These devices are not designed for lead generating; rather, they are designed to make " live"phone salespeople more productive by eliminating wasted dead time between calls.  (Even though these devices "can"make outbound calls, they are notdesigned to generate leads for later follow-up.)  If this type of device is used for lead generating, most (but not all) of these devices require the called party to press buttons on his telephone's touch-tone keypad. This puts the prospect into a "voice mail" situation.   I personally do not know anyone who likes to navigate voice-mail boxes.  People do so only when they absolutely have to.  If "you" call someone with such a device and require them to "push #1 for this , or push #2 for that, or push #3 to send your message, or push #4 to re-record your message", etc.; I'm sure that you'll agree that most people would hang-up the phone.  If a person uses one of these devices to generate sales leads, the final results will fall into the "average" category.
   
• Voice-Mail Systems – These devices are designed to channel inbound calls through various voice slots. When utilizing a converted Voice-Mail System, the called party MUST use his or her telephone's touchtone keypad to perform ALL branching functions.  Although these devices can "dial out", they have absolutely NO ability to understand what is happening on the other end of the line.  These are the worst devices for outbound dialing.  Put these devices into the "poor" or junk category for generating sales leads.                                                                                             

* Please be aware that a higher price does NOT mean the system is better.  There are many systems currently available on the market that have price tags that are way-out-of-line!  (In other words: "Priced Too High"!)


Q. – How do I know it will "work" (for me)?

A. – As with ANY advertising, it's a "numbers" game.  More Contacts = More Leads = More Sales, period.  There will be several factors that determine how many leads will be obtained: 1) the quality of the autodialer, plus: 2) the quality of the script, plus: 3) the demand for the product or service, and: 4) "YOU".  Any oneorall of these factors will determine the "end result", which is: "number-of-sales".  If you sell to the general public, it WILL work for you!


Q. – I don't like to spend money on advertising without knowing the end result.  How can I determine what the end result would be?

A. – Welcome to the club!  Nobody likes to spend money on any advertising, however, in order to do "business", people must be notified by some method.  When anyone advertises by any method, absolutely NO ONE knows what "results" of that advertising, will bring!  As I had mentioned earlier: "It is a numbersgame."  You will NEVER get a guarantee or quote from ANY reputable advertising media.  Newspapers and magazines will tell you their: 1) "circulation",and 2) "readership".  "Readership" is normally quoted as 3 to 5 times the circulation rate.  How they determine this number, is unknown.  I believe that they just pull it out of thin air; in other words, they "guess".  TV and radio will tell you their "viewers"or "listeners"to that particular station, which is determined by the results of so-called "polls"; the accuracy of which is still ambiguous.  Besides "live telemarketing"or by the "use of a telecomputer", the ONLY media whereby you can get an accurate count, is first-class direct mail (not bulk mail).  The reason is that ALL first-class that is NOT delivered, is returned to you (or else, it is supposed to be).  On the other hand, ALL "bulk-rate" mail that is NOT delivered is dumped into the postal trash bin.  Believe me, LOTS of bulk mail is dumped.  If you doubt this, please do yourself a big favor and take a visit to the back of any U.S. Post Office.  You will find one or more large trash bins.  Look inside.  It will blow-your-mind when you see the waste.  In order to obtain an accurate figure as to how much is dumped; first ask you post office person what day the trash is picked up and how often.  Then go there the day before the pickup.  Even with all of this waste, people still spend tons of money on direct mail.  Even with the true "unknown" as to "how many" prospective customers will "see", "read", or "hear" your advertisement (using other media); businesses will still spend tons of money on those methods.  Why?  Because the "numbers game" works!


Q. – Telecomputers are NOT cheap!  How do I justify the price?

A. – As with any other business expense and/or business equipment, the initial cost must be amortized out.  You must first determine the length of time that you wish to amortize.  What is reasonable to you?  One, two, three, four or five years?  Once you determine that, you divide the amount of months into the total investment of the equipment.  Now, add the total monthly phone bill for 4 lines to the monthly expenditure of equipment.  That will be your cost-per-month for advertising.  Now, if a "quality"4-line system produces 80,000 contacts per month, you divide the 80,000 into that monthly cost.  Example: If your amortized monthly cost (including your 4 phone lines) is (for example) $300.  $300 divided by 80,000 contacts would have a cost of .00375 cents per contact.  That is about 3 contacts for the cost of one cent.  Let's compare this to direct mail: If YOU sent out 80,000 pieces of first-class direct mail EACH month, it would cost you between $25,000 to $40,000.  That expense would be for EACH and EVERY month!  This figure would include first-class stamps, printing, envelopes and mailing lists.  It may or may not include labor.  If you use bulk-mail, you may save a few cents per piece.  Now the question is, would you rather spend $300 per month on advertising, or would you rather spend $25,000 to $40,000 per month?  The answer to that question is quite obviously a no-brainer.  A telecomputer is the ONLY piece of business equipment that will MAKE YOU MONEY!  ALL other business equipment will eithersave-you-time or make doing business easier for you.  The questions that you must now ask yourself:  "Do I (you) want to continue to spend lots of money on your current never-ending monthly advertising methods?"  OR: "Do I (you) want to own your very own advertising media and only spend the monthly cost of 4 phone lines and the amortized equipment, as your ENTIRE monthly advertising expense?"


Q. - Besides saving tons-of-money, why is the use of a telecomputer a better way to advertise?

A. - To answer this question, one must look at the entire concept-of-advertising.  Every business MUST advertise; using "some method".  As the saying goes:  "A business with NO SIGN, is a sign of NO BUSINESS"!  If you don't advertise using some method, you are 100% doomed to failure.  The standard methods of advertising are TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, direct mail, flyers, and "live" telemarketing.  ALL of these methods are expensive and on going.  Plus, you have absolutely NO advantage over your competitors.  "Live" telemarketing is normally a very expensive, ongoing expense in both time and money, although it is VERY effective.  If money is no object and you're not concerned about high wages and constant replacement of phone people, this method is good.  A major disadvantage of ALL the other forms of advertising is the fact that you become "lost-in-the-bunch"!  In other words: "Your ad gets lost amongst all the others".  Have you ever tried to find your own ad in a publication?  If YOU can't find it, how are other people going to see it?  By the use of a telecomputer, you have the called-parties' UNDIVIDED ATTENTION for from 5 to 15 seconds.  They will listen intently during this period, whereby you must say something that piques their interest; or, gets them to hang up.  Example: "Hello, I'm calling to inform you that you spent too much money on you long distance phone service, last month!  If you would like to eliminate this problem next month, please leave your name and phone number and someone will get back with you shortly".  You will notice that the first sentence will grab the attention of virtually all people who spend a sizable amount of money on long-distance phone bills, each month.  Most of those people will continue to listen, and many will leave their name and phone number.  All of the people that didn't spend very much money, will hang up the phone (which is exactly what you want them to do as they are not a prospect anyway).  Can you now imagine the amount of leads that you will generate each and every month if YOUR message is broadcast to 80,000+ people per month, utilizing a telecomputer?


Q. – Wouldn't it be better to use the "normal" advertising methods that everyone else uses?

A. – If you look around, you will find that most people usually follow-the-crowd, as there are very few leaders in the world.  This is necessary in nature because we cannot ALL be leaders, as that would create much conflict, fights and war.  One shepherd, many sheep!  One King, many subjects!  One boss, many employees!  The list goes on and on.  By following the crowd, the majority of business people will look at what other people are doing and then copy them.  Much like a herd of sheep or cattle do when their leader directs them.  The problem with this method is that "you" are now on equal terms with the other sheep.  This obviously limits your success; not only because you are in the same arena as your competitors, but also due to the fact that you are spending an advertising $$ amount equal to, or greater than, your competitors.  Since your cost of doing business is about the same as your competitors, you therefore have absolutely "no business advantage".  On the other hand, if you can advertise and/or do business with less outgoing expenses, you will then have a decided advantage over your competitors.  Do you agree?  Even after over 20 years of existence, telecomputers are still the best-kept secret that I have ever seen.  People that use them feel that everyone (no matter what business that they are in) is/are their competitors.  Businesses that are currently using telecomputers are not stupid.  They know full well that the use of telecomputers is the ONLY media that is NOT "crowded" (saturated with advertisers).  People using a telecomputer break the mold of "sheep-following-sheep" and forge-their-own-trail.  Since there are very few people on that trail, the path is easy and not cluttered.  No crowds!  Low expense!  Lots of listeners!  A never-ending captive audience!  By spending less on advertising then your competitors, you can sell your product or service at a much lower price; thereby, obtaining the business and at the same time more profits.  You will never have to fret and say to yourself: "I've just spent $10,000 on an advertising campaign and it didn't work".  "Now I have to do it all over again this month."  The beauty of using a telecomputer is that your expenses are virtually nothing (zero, "nada").  If any particular script doesn't work, change the script and give it another try!  No big deal!  By owning your own "broadcasting media", your only expenses are: 1) your phone bill, 2) the cost of your script, and 3) the amortized investment in your equipment.  If you make your own script, you eliminate the "script" expense.  Change the script and give it another whirl.  What do you have to lose?  Absolutely nothing, except a little time and a few dollars for the phone lines.  Advertising is usually the number one expense of any business.  By dropping that expense down to "peanuts", you gain considerable ground in making your business work.  Your "business"and your "sales", is/are your livelihood!  Don't blow it!  How many people blow money on fancy cars, fancy houses, nonessential business equipment, and/or other luxuries, without blinking an eye?  By investing in your very own "radio station" (telecomputer), you assure your future lead source and limit your advertising expense to a fixed monthly phone bill.  A telecomputer is the ONLY piece of business equipment that "makes you money".  Plus, you are NOT following the crowd.  If you want to blow-your-money, blow is AFTER you make it, NOT before!


Q. - I always hang up when a telecomputer calls me.  Doesn't everybody do the same?

A. - There is no such thing as everybodyor nobodyor neveror always.  People used to say things like "I never talk to answering machines or voice mail", etc.  Total bunk!  If a telecomputer notified you that you had just won a car, you would surely listen.  True, most people WILL hang up.  On average, a range of 88% to 99% WILL hang up.  That's the purpose of all advertising, i.e. "find the prospect that needs your product or service and eliminate all the rest".  You must look at the bright side; positive responses to a telecomputer are usually from 1% to 12% (or more).  Compare this with direct mail.  Typically from 98% to 99.5% will throw the mail piece away.  In fact, in the advertising industry, a direct mail campaign return (response) rate of ½% to 2% is considered to be good.  The bottom line is "If you say something that INTERESTS the prospect, he or she WILL respond".  That is what it is ALL about; i.e. "numbers"!


Q. – I can't afford it.  The price is "too high" !

A. – What you are really saying is "I can't justify the expense"!  (What you should be saying is: "can I affordNOT to?")  My response is "You have to spend money advertising, somehow and/or somewhere".  Or, as the old saying goes: "You have to spend money to make money".  The reality of the matter is: "If you DON'T, you're out-of-business, period!"  Take out yourpencil or calculator and figure out YOURcost-per-contact using all other methods.  Then ask yourself:  "Which method do I always get the undivided attention?"  Your answer should be "only by using the telephone".


Q. – If everyone used telecomputer, wouldn't they cease to be effective?

A. – The obvious answer to that question is "yes".  That is the point that I've been trying to make.  It is also the very same reason that ALL other media is not very effective anymore; "everybody does it"!  How many ads are in your daily newspapers?  One million?  Ten million?  Who knows!  How many competitors are in the Yellow Pages?  How many pieces of direct mail do YOU get daily?  How many TV commercials, how many radio commercials, how may Internet advertising links do you encounter, etc., etc., etc.?  EVERYBODY is trying to get our attention!  The problem with those media is that most of the advertising is wasted and falls onto "deaf ears".  Now look at telecomputers!  How many calls do YOU receive each month from a telecomputer?  (Notice that I said "month" and not "daily" as I did with the other media)  That answer is extremely easy, isn't it?  Most people report to me that they receive an average of one (or less) call(s) per month.  Some people in many parts of the country report to me that they NEVER get a call.  Why is this?  These devices have been around for over 20 years!  They are the best-kept secret in the world!  One main reason is that: "Virtually everyone that currently owns a telecomputer feels that every other person who owns a telecomputer, IScompetition"!  Even if other people are in completely different businesses and/or market different products, they are still thought of as competitionby another telecomputer owner.  (This is probably the main reason that telecomputer owners usuallywill NOT refer other people to the concept)  A telecomputer owner/user will almost never tell anyone else how or what he or she is doing to generate sales leads.  So, being that these devices have been used for over 20 years; and, because of the fact that YOU get very few calls from telecomputers yourself, you can be assured that it will be some time before the market becomes "saturated".  During that obviously long time frame , YOU can possible become very rich, fat and sassy!  Do YOU want YOUR business to "Stand-Out"?  Or, do you want to be one-of-the-crowd?  Do you want to continue having on-going advertising expenses, month-after-month and year-after-year?  Do you want to continue to throw your money down a rat hole with on-goingdirect mail, newspaper, magazine, radio, TV, Yellow Page advertising and/or other on-going advertising, month-after-month, year-after-year?  The choice is clearly yours.  Remember that wise saying: "If you continue to DO what have always done, you will continue to GET what you have always got"!  Or, how about the one that goes something like this:  "Any person that expects a different result from doing the same thing, has a serious mental problem".  If YOU have confidence in YOUR ability to close sales, then all you need is qualified prospects to talk to.  You have been presented with a means to do just that that very few people have the knowledge of, and/or, the ones that have the knowledge of, have the guts and/or foresight, to do!  It takes guts to be in sales!  It takes guts to be in business!  But, only THOSE people EVER reach the stars.  All the other "people" (or rather "sheeple") either don't know what is happening, or, just refuse to make it happen.  "Followers are a dime-a-dozen; leaders are few and far between"!  Edison failed 10,000 times before he finally made a light bulb work.  It is said that out of every 100 people; upon reaching age 65: one is rich, four are fully retired and self sufficient; all the rest are either dead or dead broke and barely existing on social security.  I can guarantee that the "top five"are not"sheeple".  Failing in business using conventional advertising IS costly!  Failing by using a poor script on a telecomputer costs virtually nothing.  The beauty of a bad script is that even bad scripts pull something!  The other beautiful part of it is that you can change your script at any time and try to achieve a higher ratio without incurring ANY heavy expense.  On the other hand, a failed advertising campaign using conventional advertising methods could completely break a business.  Only your imagination or lack of imagination will limit your success.  The ball is in YOUR court!       *Remember, it's ALL "NUMBERS"!


Q. – There are so many systems available on the market today.  How do I choose?

A. – For the average person, this is NOT an easy task.  Unless you have used telecomputers in the past, you may not know what to look for.  In other words, people who have previously owned or used a telecomputer in the past know what they want and need.  They know what to look for as to features, efficiency, etc.  Being that we have been working with these devices longer than anyone else has (since June of 1980 – over 18 years), we have the ability to help you obtain most any system available on the market today.  We can advise you as to which systems are the most efficient, least expensive, user-friendly systems currently in production.  During the last few years there has been a proliferation of PC based telecomputers flooding the marketplace.  They are NOT "all created equal".  Only a very small number of these systems work well.  Some systems are built upon a "predictive dialer" platform.  Those systems are ALL overpriced and do not work very well.  Most have a poor recognition of "what" or "who" is on the other end of the line because the original design did NOT require this ability.  Some systems are built upon a "voice-mail" platform.  Those systems are priced LOW and work very, very, very poorly (if at all).  These types of systems also have poor recognition of "what" or "who" is on the other end of the line.  They rely heavily on the use of "tones".  By pushing various buttons on your touch-tone phone keypad, you "branch" to various "mail-box" messages and/or responses.  The best systems are all designed SPECIFICALLY to be used as a telecomputer.  Those are the ONLY systems that "work" as intended.  Even some of those systems work only marginally.  We have the ability to obtain most systems available in the marketplace.  You might want to call us BEFORE investing in any particular system.


Q. – What about scripts?  I don't know how to write a script for my business!

A. – Good point!  Writing and recording scripts is one of the most important "links" in this chain.  I do NOT suggest that anyone write their own script, unless you have had experience in writing for telecomputers.  Even though (i.e. "the numbers game") ALL scripts will pull "some responses" no matter how poorly they are written or recorded (even a blind hog roots up an ear of corn, now and then).  I normally suggest that you go the extra yard and spend a few dollars to have your script WRITTEN and RECORDED professionally.  It doesn't make sense to "buy a Cadillac" and put "cheap gas" into the gas tank.  It won't run very well!  A good script is VERY IMPORTANT!  It could mean the difference between success and failure.  A telecomputer script is much different than a radio script, or a TV script, or a newspaper ad script, etc.  A definite technique in writing is required.  Voice is also important.  We provide you with up to 100 recorded scripts, FREE!  You may pick any 3 groups of scripts from our list of about 500 available.  Each group contains an average of from 34 to 53 scripts per group.  They have all been professionally recorded in a sound studio.  Also, we have access to the very best announcer and scriptwriter in the USA.  Rates for his services are very, very low.  Plus, he guarantees his work 100%.


Q. – What does it take to make telecomputers "work"?

A. – First of all, you need an "efficient, high quality telecomputer" that is designed properly.  Second, you need a "demand for your product or service".  Third, you need a quality "written and recorded script".  And last but not least, you need a good "YOU"!  Lacking in any one or all of these areas will reduce your results.  If you have a high quality and efficient telecomputer; plus, a "demand" product or service; plus, a powerful script; YOU CAN'T LOSE!  Remember: "It's All Numbers"!  Absolutely EVERYTHING works.  What changes the percentage of results is any and all of the above, period!


Q. – In your estimation, what is the best PC-based telecomputer currently on the market today?

A. – In my honest estimation, I feel that the TeleRobot4 is currently the best of the "PC" systems available on the market today.  The company that makes the system has been in the business for over 24 years (since 1981).  They designed the system from the ground up.  It is NOT a converted"voice mail"system.  It is NOT a converted"predictive dialer".  The software took in excess of 18 months to write.  Only after extensive alphaand beta testing, was it released for sale by the factory.  The system is priced reasonably; plus, it WORKS!  I have been and unbiased consultant in this arena for over 25+ years.  I will be happy to evaluate ANY other system for you.  All you have to do is call me with your concerns.



Facts That YOU Should Consider Before Investing in a Telecomputer:

1.  How long has the manufacturer of the telecomputer been in "THIS" business?

2.  How long have other people that you plan on dealing with, been in "THIS" business?

3.  How long has the ScriptWriter / Announcer been in "THIS" business?

4.  Does the ScriptWriter / Announcer 100% guarantee his work ? 

5.  What are the chances, that any or all of the people that you deal with, will be around next year, or the year after, or the year after that?  In other words, are "they" here just to turn a fast buck then get out of the business?  Will "they" be around next year or the year after, when "YOU" need them?  Look at various track records first; and THEN decide!

6.  Has the "telecomputer" that you plan on obtaining, been designed especially for this function or purpose?  Or, is it a converted voice mail system?  Or, is it a converted predictive dialer?  "IS it "REALLY" a specifically designed "telecomputer"?"

7.  Does the telecomputer that you want, have what salespeople "really" need or want?  Or,  does it have a lot of "rings", "whistles" and "bells", which are unnecessary and won't be used by you or anyone else for very long (if ever)?    (This is very important!)

8.  Have "you" used these devices before; and, do "you"reallyknow what "you" need?

9.  Do "you" know how to make these devices "work properly"?

10.  Does the person(s) that you will be dealing with, "know" how to make these devices "work" properly and effectively?  Or, will the "blind"leadthe"blind"?

11.  If you should need assistance, will you be able to call a phone number and speak to a "live" person during normal business hours?  Or, will you reach a voice mail system and have to "hang around" for a call back?

12.  Who will provide you with up to 100 Professionally RECORDED Scripts, FREE?

13.  Want to sell "LEADS" to other companies?  Who will provide you with low-cost script recording services (that "work")?  Who will provide you with a FREE " Time-SharingManual" that will show you how to: A)sell the leads, B)set the "price" of the leads properly (not too high as to lose the contract; or, not too low as to lose money), and C)Justify the price(s)?  In order to sell leads (or telecomputer "time") you MUST know how to set the prices.  If you set the price too high, you lose the account!  If you set the price too low, you lose money! Doyouknowhowtodothis?  WE DO!

14.  Do YOU have a product or service that the general public wants or needs?  In other words, is the general public buying the product(s) or service(s) that you offer?    If the people don't want, nor need, what you are offering, best get another product or service before you starve to death!  No advertising method will help you if you have a product or service that is not wanted or needed!

15.  Do you currently obtain leads and generate sales of your product or service using conventional advertising?   If you do, then the use of a telecomputer will definitely work for you!

16.  Want to eliminate ALL of your advertising expenses?  Sorry, can't be done!  However, with a telecomputer, you can eliminate "most" of those expenses and reduce costs to a comfortable, bearable level!

17.  Final words of wisdom to consider:

• If you need brain surgery, do NOT have it done by a general practitioner!
• If you need a good attorney, do NOT go to a "greenhorn" – get the "best"!
• If you want to "pick-a-brain", take a self-made millionaire to lunch!  (Never, never, never let him buy you lunch as you will get more knowledge when you buy him lunch)
• If you want to "rise above", you must "reach" by taking "risks"!
• Don't do what everybody else is doing unless you want to limit yourself!

And last but not least, do what very few people do anymore:

THINK !