You can make $7,000 to $15,000 monthly as an appointment setter if you know how to find the right company and have the skills to book more appointments. Phone etiquette, objection handling and using Customer Relationship Management (CRM) are a must. Appointment setters in Indeed, CareerBliss and PayScale rated their experience with an average of 3.91 out of 5.0. So while the role has a high potential income, it comes with unsatisfying factors.
An appointment setter contacts potential clients to schedule meetings for sales teams. There are no required educational background and qualifications to work in this role. But according to CareerBuilder’s survey, 77% of employers prefer appointment setters with some level of customer service experience. Appointment setting is a legit job with an average annual salary of $50,455 per year, as per ZipRecruiter. Richard Yu of Setter Certification Program claims to teach how to earn $3,000 to $7,000 as a setter.
In this article, we’ll review the appointment setter career, including potential earnings. We'll also cover the pros and cons, common complaints, and company comparisons. We’ll answer whether you can really make $7,000 to $15,000 monthly in this role. We’ll also introduce a more profitable business model than appointment setting.
Appointment Setter Pros and Cons
Pros
Flexible Schedules: Appointment setting jobs often offer flexible schedules. This will allow you to work at times that suit you best.
Remote Work: Many appointment setting roles are also called remote setting. You can work comfortably anywhere. This offers the flexibility to create a personalized work environment.
Entry-Level Opportunity: This role usually doesn't require prior experience. You can use it for future career advancements in sales or customer service.
Skill Development: You can improve communication and sales techniques. Appointment setting can prepare you for more advanced position. You can work in sales, marketing, or customer relations in the future.
Variety of Industries: Appointment setters can work in many different industries. It offers diverse experiences that can broaden your professional perspective.
Cons
Variable Income: Earnings can fluctuate, especially if they're based on commissions. It can lead to periods of high and low income.
Rejection: Facing frequent rejections from potential clients can affect motivation and confidence.
Repetitive Work: The job can become monotonous with repetitive tasks. You make numerous calls daily and you deliver similar pitches every time.
Pressure to Meet Targets: There can be pressure to meet performance metrics. This might lead to stress and a demanding work environment.
Limited Career Growth: There are limited opportunities for advancement within this role. This makes it challenging for individuals to progress significantly in their careers.
Honest Reviews from Experienced Appointment Setters
Appointment setter manager, Erika Kulpina from Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, says appointment setting is a good job. Erika managed appointment setting teams that generated $17 million in revenue for businesses. According to her, appointment setters in her industry earn an average income of $4,000 a month. Erika approves appointment setting since it offers flexibility and remote work. She also said it opens opportunities to network with high-income professionals.
David Hunter from Philadelphia (@yourealazyfvck on YouTube) claims that appointment setting is not a good career. According to Dave, he was scammed into “managing” a $12 billion fund. He was required to cold call prospects to set online appointments without pay. They also required him to call his personal contacts for insurance products.
A comment countered Dave and said appointment setting is not a scam. Dave replied, working at McDonald's pays more. He now runs his own marketing agency and has a training program, The Agency Course.
Blue Raven Solar’s Appointment Setter Review
This Blue Raven Solar review from an employee based in Salem, Oregon, said they felt valued and financially rewarded for their work. The employee said the direct managers and the scheduling center are exceptional. The job made the reviewer feel positive about their skills. They also mentioned rewards for excelling like a free trip every year.
A former Blue Raven Solar appointment setter from Topeka, Kansas, gave the company a 1-star review. They pointed out that the pay could have been better than advertised. It was mostly based on commission, not $20 an hour plus commission. If they took breaks or couldn't work enough hours, they would lose their hourly pay. To get out of training pay, they needed to have 5 appointments kept in the same week.
NERD Power’s Appointment Setter Review
This former appointment setter from Anaheim, California, calls NERD Power misleading. They mentioned the job provides only three days of training. And it only focused on script memorization for a door-to-door appointment setting role. Employees without a set appointment within the first two weeks face immediate termination. Even though the job's advertised for four-week training. The promised hourly rate of $20 is often not achievable.
Another ex-appointment setter of Nerd Power based in San Antonio, Texas, said it's demanding and unrewarding. They were required to knock on over 75 doors each day. But the payment was only given if an appointment was set and the advisor attended it. The lack of payment for appointments with no-show seems unfair to them.
Appointment Setter Reviews BBB
Client feedback on Contractor Connect's appointment setting in BBB is highly positive. One client said they made over $60,000 in sales in less than a month because of the leads from Contractor Connect. They also said the cost for these leads was low, so they got a lot back for what they spent. Another client, who has been with Contractor Connect for a year, is happy with the results they've seen.
Good communication is a big reason for clients' satisfaction. They get quick answers to their questions, which helps build a long-term relationship. People are also happy with the consistent and high-quality leads they get. The Contractor Connect team is good at talking to clients and always works to make the leads even better. Overall, clients recommend Contractor Connect for its good leads and great service.
Appointment Setter Reviews Reddit
Appointment setter reviews on Reddit are mixed. A college student looking for a summer job in Arizona said the job was literally a door to door scripted sales job. They said the pay was minimum and mostly based on commission, not the hourly wage advertised. According to them, they will be paid more if they work in Doordash.
Reddit user, gcoapsi, said appointment setting is legit since they worked as a setter for a year. According to them, appointment setters earn an average of $1k to $3k per month. But they earn $12k in a month just out of commissions. They said the important thing is working with decent or great businesses.
The Good: Top Positive Appointment Setter Reviews
1. Good Financial Compensation and Flexibility
Many people find the job of an appointment setter financially rewarding. They often earn good money through commissions. According to Glassdoor, appointment setters can earn $18,599 per year on commissions. The job also offers flexible working hours. This means employees can choose their schedules to fit their personal life. It's helpful for people who have other commitments. According to Forbes, 71% of workers with flexible hours reported better work-life balance.
What Appointment Setter Skills Do You Need to Earn High Commissions?
Good communication, customer service, and objection handling are the appointment setter skills you need to earn high commissions. Prospects will book calls with you if you can address their pain points. And then offer your product as the clear solution.
2. Rewarding and Fulfilling Work
Appointment setters often find their work personally fulfilling. They feel good about making successful sales and helping solve customer's pain points. Appointment setters for solar panels said they feel good helping environmental causes. Their job satisfaction increases with knowing the work has a meaningful purpose. According to these appointment setters, this makes it a rewarding career choice.
3. Supportive Management and Positive Work Environment
Many employees find the managers in this job supportive and kind. They appreciate the positive treatment from all levels of management. This welcoming environment makes them feel valued and like they belong. The friendly atmosphere and helpful colleagues contribute to appointment setters' happiness at work.
The Not-So-Good: Common Appointment Setter Complaints and Concerns
1. No Benefits
Some appointment setting jobs don't offer employee benefits. These jobs rarely provide health insurance, retirement plans, or paid sick leave. As a result, appointment setters have to pay for their own health care and retirement savings. And these can be expensive. Despite the high income potential, appointment setters can still incur income loss. Without paid time off, missing work for sickness also means less income.
2. High Pressure and Unfair Requirements
Many reviews of the job mention stress from the pressure to meet sales goals. Workers need to achieve a set number of leads or sales each week. Failing to meet these goals can cause losing their hourly pay. So they depend only on commission earnings, which is not consistent. Meeting these targets is often challenging, on top of dealing with appointment rejections.
3. Misleading and Inconsistent Pay
Many people have said that their earnings were lower than expected. They mainly made money from commissions, which vary. The base pay is often less than expected and it's not consistent as well. Appointment setters risk losing this base pay if they don't meet target leads. This uncertainty causes their income to fluctuate significantly.
What to Look Out For to Avoid a Misleading Appointment Setter Job?
Look out for high income without base salary job postings to avoid a misleading appointment setter job. Luke Alexander of Closer Cartels emphasized base pay is important for appointment setters. It’s a compensation for your time and effort, even if the prospective client didn’t turn into a customer. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also said it's a normal job with modest income and hourly rate.
Company Comparisons: Reviews of Top Companies Hiring Appointment Setters
Blue Raven Solar's reviews on Indeed highlight the good pay and relaxed environment. They also praised the flexible hours, and good team environment. But they also point out downsides such as no benefits and a choice between base pay or commissions. The training is beneficial, though door-to-door sales pose challenges for some.
NERD Power receives mixed feedback as well. Employees were not expecting the door-to-door appointment setting. And the brief training focuses mainly on script learning. Former appointment setters also point out the job security issue. While some enjoy the job for competitive pay, diverse workforce and growth opportunities. However, using personal cars and phones is a downside.
Automated Appointment Engines faces criticism for favoritism in a Glassdoor review. Automatic Appointments received mixed reviews from early termination to praises for the community. Drawbacks include cold calling, no benefits, and disorganized scheduling.
Salary insights show Blue Raven Solar appointment setters earn about $3,599 monthly. WCPS Management Group offers between $6,052 to $7,676 for entry-level positions. NERD Power appointment setters can expect around $26 per hour, as per Glassdoor. A trustworthy appointment setting company is often hired by high-ticket coaches. Online directories, LinkedIn, and forums where coaches discuss these services can be useful.
Should You Be An Online Appointment Setter?
You should be an online appointment setter if you have experience in customer service. It’s not a requirement but 77% of employers prefer them. Online appointment setters make calls to prospective clients. So you should consider your working environment and equipment. Appointment setting is also a good stepping stone if you plan to work on sales. You’ll develop transferable skills like time management and active listening. Online appointment setting can also help you build helpful connections . According to Spotio, 73% of executives work with people referred by someone they know.
Are There Any Alternatives to Working as an Appointment Setter?
Local lead generation is the best alternative to appointment setter because it provides passive income. While appointment setting can improve your sales skills, it's an active job. You'll have to work more in order to earn more. But local lead generation gives you a more passive way to make money. Once your website ranks, you can rent them out to local business owners for a monthly fee. It's a passive and more predictable income source.
Also, appointment setters are usually employees working for a company. With local lead generation, you're in charge of your own business. This gives you more control over your work and income. In appointment setting, your income depends on commissions, which can be unpredictable. You rely on others to close the deals so you can get paid. But in local lead gen, you're referring already quality leads to local providers.
Local lead gen is also highly scalable without extra hours, like appointment setting. With local lead gen, you can scale by building more niche websites. It demands upfront work, but once it’s done, it’s low maintenance. The tree care site I created in 2015 regularly generates me $2,000 per month until today. It only required 15 hours of upfront work, and I barely touched it since then. If you’re looking for a way to make money online, local lead gen is your best option.
