To get started in appointment setting, follow these 7 steps:
- Ensure you’re qualified to apply for an appointment setter job
- Earn a formal certificate or go through appointment setter training
- Decide what type of appointment setter you want to be
- Build appointment-setting experience
- Craft a compelling resume and cover letter
- Apply for higher-paying appointment-setting jobs
- Continue developing your appointment-setting skills
Appointment setting is scheduling meetings or appointments between leads and sales representatives. It is used in sales and marketing to connect with people showing interest in a product or service. The goal of appointment setting is to engage the lead and build initial rapport. Then, arrange a time for a more in-depth conversation and presentation. This process often involves cold calling, emailing, or using other outreach methods.
The Appointment Setting Pros said that effective appointment setting increases sales by 20%. This is especially true for a B2B appointment-setting service. This shows that being an appointment setter is a promising career choice. It is for those with strong communication skills, persuasive and organized. Appointment setter coach Balázs Károlyfi from Budapest used Instagram to make over $227,000 in his career. Mike Vestil from 7 Day Remote Closer reported having earned $1.9 million from this job.
Appointment setting comes with several challenges. This includes dealing with gatekeepers, like assistants, who block access to decision-makers. You also need to handle frequent rejections. Additionally, finding suitable meeting times that work for everyone is difficult. You need to communicate clearly and persuasively to prevent misunderstandings. This can lead to cancellations or no-shows. Maintaining motivation in this repetitive and often high-pressure environment is crucial.
In this article, we will guide you through how to become a successful appointment setter in 7 steps. We’ll also share key interview questions you prepare for when applying as a setter. At the end of the article, we’ll introduce a more profitable business model.
How to Become an Appointment Setter in 7 Steps?
1. Ensure You’re Qualified to Apply for an Appointment Setter Job.
To be an appointment setter, you need at least a high school diploma. A training certification and at least an entry-level experience in sales also help. This basic education shows potential employers that you have the needed skills. It’s a plus if you've worked in customer service. This means you're likely used to talking with people and solving their problems. You also need to know how to use computers and CRM programs. These tools help you organize customer information for scheduling appointments.
2. Earn a Formal Certificate or Go Through Appointment Setter Training.
If you already have a certificate, finding appointment setter jobs will only take a few weeks. Having a certificate proves that you're trained, and this makes you stand out from others. Your training can help you do better in job interviews. You can look for certification programs and training courses online. For example, the appointment-setting training course from the MTD Sales Training. Most training often involves lessons on how to get ready for a call and start a conversation. You also learn how to convince prospects to set up an appointment. Additionally, they teach you how to deal with clients who might not be sure or interested.
5 Best Appointment Setter Certifications
3. Decide What Type of Appointment Setter You Want to Be.
There are two types of appointment setters: inbound and outbound. Inbound setters contact qualified leads who show an interest in a product or service. This is usually done by clicking on forms of company websites or social media. They reach out to leads through email, SMS, or phone calls to arrange appointments for the sales rep.
Outbound setters contact potential clients through cold calls, emails, voicemails, and SMS. They also use direct messages on social media to set appointments. This includes Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and LinkedIn.
Depending on what's needed, effective appointment setters handle both inbound and outbound tasks. Each type has very specific skills you need to master.
4. Build Appointment Setting Experience.
You don’t need experience to become an appointment setter. However, improving your skills and gaining sales experience can help. There are many resources available online to get ideas from. You can browse YouTube videos, podcasts, and paid appointment-setting courses. Learn from people who have done this job.
Reddit and Quora have threads where you can ask about the job and their experiences. Also, try to get feedback about your calls so you know the areas where you can improve and become more effective. You can also try entry-level jobs in sales or customer service to add to your resume.
5. Craft a Compelling Resume and Cover Letter.
According to TeamStage, 63% of recruiters like to see resumes made for the job they're offering. When applying for an appointment setter job, show the skills and experience for it. For example, highlight strong communication skills and expertise in cold calling. Focus on your skills in talking to people and helping customers.
Additionally, mention any training or certificates you have. Talk about how you handle hard situations. Showcase your understanding of basic CRM software. In your cover letter, express your eagerness to work with customers and learn quickly. Explain why you would be good at being an appointment setter. Showing your knowledge of the sales process is also necessary.
6. Apply for Higher-Paying Appointment Setting Jobs.
To become a high-ticket appointment setter, you must be great at talking to people. You need to justify why costly products or services are worth it. Also, you need to build trust with potential big-spending clients quickly. To start, apply for companies looking for a B2B appointment setter. They usually have a higher base pay and commission rate.
Moreover, you need to learn about high-value niches. This includes luxury goods, high-end real estate, and premium business consultancy. Then, offer your services to businesses that sell these high-ticket items. It also helps to take special training in high-ticket sales to improve your skills. This helps you handle big deals and shows you're skilled in this area. Being professional and knowing how to persuade clients is key to success.
Before sending your application, read up on appointment setter reviews. Learn about the company you are planning to apply. Look at reviews from past and current appointment setters. You can try browsing platforms like Reddit, Quora, and Trustpilot. You can also check appointment setter reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This helps you find out their experience, salary, and the type of work they do. It is also a good way to see their reputation and helps you decide.
7. Continue Developing Your Appointment Setting Skills.
To stay ahead as an appointment setter, continue to develop your appointment-setting skills. Keep up with the latest in sales and customer service by attending training or workshops. Use CRM software to manage client information efficiently. Learn new software if you are not familiar with it yet. Try looking at job boards and see what skills are they looking for in appointment setters.
You can also attend events where you can network with professionals or meet people in your field. This is a good venue for learning more and even meeting potential clients. Ask and listen to feedback from your clients and co-workers to know how you can improve your methods. This helps you maintain your competitive edge in appointment setting.
What are Essential Appointment Setter Skills?
The essential appointment setter skills are:
How to Prepare for an Appointment Setter Interview?
To prepare for an appointment setter interview, you must:
6 Appointment Setter Interview Questions to Expect
4 Appointment Setting Tips to Increase Sales
How Much Does Appointment Setters Make?
Appointment setters make between $7,000 and $15,000 per month, according to Aaron Martinez. He is the founder and coach of Remote Closing Academy. This range can vary based on different factors. This includes experience, industry, and geographical location.
The average appointment setter salary is $15.32 per hour, as per Zippia. This translates to an annual salary of approximately $29,414, assuming a 40-hour work week. Luke Martinez said that some appointment setters can earn you $300 to $600 in commissions. This often depends on the value of the deals closed and the company's compensation plan.
However, appointment setter salaries can vary between industries. For example, appointment setters in the tech industry earn more than retail sectors. You often get paid an hourly rate or base salary. If you work on commission, you can even earn more.
According to Glassdoor, the estimated total pay for appointment setter is $58,473 per year. This is by combining base salary and commissions. This means if you are good at your job and set up a lot of successful sales meetings, you make extra money. Moreover, companies often offer performance bonuses and other incentives. This is to motivate appointment setters to exceed their targets.
Is Appointment Setter Legit?
Yes, being an appointment setter is legit because it’s a job that has a growing market demand. Appointment setting offers job flexibility. It is often a side hustle or remote work with flexible hours. Many positions are commission-based, and it's an entry-level role not requiring formal education. This job improves communication skills and provides learning opportunities across various industries. It's beneficial for those who want to develop sales and negotiation skills. This could serve as a stepping stone in a sales career.
Josue Pena is a 7-figure marketing and sales consultant from Miami, Florida. He shares that appointment setting is a legit gig that you can start with no money. He added that you only need to send DMs to businesses in need of a specific service. Then, you can charge a 10% commission for all closed sales. Also, he explains that you only need a social media account. All other skills can be learned.
While many people earn from this job, there are still scams and deceptive job offers. You still need to be careful and critical of accepting these offers. Watch out for companies that don't offer a base salary or proper training. This job can be flexible and doesn't require a college degree. However, be careful of misleading income claims and high upfront costs.
How Local Lead Generation Transcends Appointment Setting in Earning Potential?
Local lead generation transcends appointment setting in earning potential. This is because it uses the power of digital marketing and SEO to attract a steady stream of leads. Appointment-setting income is based on calls or meetings arranged. Meanwhile, local lead generation can generate continuous revenue with no constant direct interaction. This model taps into the growing reliance on online searches for local services. You only need to position your lead gen sites to capture and monetize this traffic.
Local lead generation offers scalability that appointment settings struggle to match. You can create multiple lead gen sites across various niches and geographic areas. Each site serves as an independent income source. This reduces the risk associated with relying on a single stream of income. It allows for greater financial stability and growth potential. Each local lead generation site you create can earn $500 to $2,000 per month.
Once your sites are ranking high on search engines, they need minimal maintenance. In contrast, appointment setting needs constant follow-up to secure and keep clients. Thus, local lead generation stands out as a superior option. So, if you are seeking a more passive and scalable income stream, try local lead generation.
