Outbound telemarketing is a process through which your in-house or outsourced team of sales agents initiates interaction with leads or existing customers. It differs from inbound marketing, in which a customer is the one who makes the initial contact.

Telemarketing is the direct marketing of goods or services to potential customers over the telephone, Internet, or fax. Telemarketing may either be carried out by telemarketers or increasingly by automated telephone calls or "robocalls." Telemarketing is oftentimes part of a company's marketing plan or campaign.

More than 90% say telemarketing is "effective." It can be a practical way to upsell and cross-sell products and services. Telemarketing can be a great way to follow up with customers who have previously purchased products from a company.

One example of telemarketing is product marketing, where a company will call prospective clients to inform them about their company, brand, or new product in order to generate interest in the product.