Telemarketing

Commission in Telemarketing

Telemarketing is one of the most commission-intensive industries. With thousands employed in call centers and telemarketing agencies, commission is often the largest part of total compensation. The industry ranges from B2C consumer sales to B2B appointment setting.

Commission models in telemarketing are typically very direct with clear targets and immediate reward for results.

Typical Commission Models

OTE in Telemarketing

On-Target Earnings in telemarketing:

• Team Leader: $58,000-80,000 annually
• Senior Phone Sales Rep: $50,000-70,000 annually
• Phone Sales Rep: $40,000-58,000 annually
• Lead Generator: $38,000-50,000 annually
• Customer Service with Sales: $43,000-60,000 annually

Bonus Structures

Telemarketing often uses aggressive bonus structures:

• Daily bonuses: Extra amounts for hitting daily targets
• Competitions: Prizes for top performers on a weekly basis
• Accelerators: Increased commission after X number of sales
• Quality bonus: Extra for high customer satisfaction

Special Challenges

Telemarketing has several unique aspects:

• High churn: Many sales are cancelled within the cooling-off period
• Compliance: Strict rules about do-not-call lists and consent requirements
• Quality assurance: Sales can be rejected during QA review
• Call lists: Lead quality significantly affects hit rate

Clawback is standard in telemarketing, typically with a 14-day cooling-off period for consumers.

FAQ About Telemarketing Commission

When is commission paid out?

Most companies hold commission until after the cooling-off period. Some pay continuously with clawback on cancellation.

Do all calls count?

Commission is typically only on successful sales. Some companies have activity-based bonuses for number of calls or talk time.

What happens if a customer is rejected during QA?

If a sale is rejected during quality assurance, no commission is given. With tiered commission, it can affect your overall attainment.