How’s business these days?  Whether you’re originating mortgages, offering loan modifications or debt settlement services, or you’re a contractor looking for new clients, you’ve tried all sorts of leads, often to no avail.  You’ve sent out mailers, posted on Craig’s List, and gone to your network 100 times already, and business is still slow.   Then suddenly, your savior comes knocking on your door (or should I say your client) in the way of a live transfer lead.    For those of you unaware of this super-lead, essentially, a marketing company will utilize an auto-dialer, mailers, telemarketers, internet, or television/radio ads to generate leads comprised of individuals who are interested in your product or service, delivered directly to you over the phone.  Sometimes they’re pre-screened, sometimes they’re not.  But one things for sure, they’re live, hot leads!

Here’s the problem:  Live transfer leads are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get (thank you Mr. Gump).  Some companies will pre-screen the client in-house first, then send them right to you.  Sometimes the client fills out information on the internet, then, upon pre-qualification, will be prompted to dial an 800 number, then viola, transferred live to your rep’s phone, ready to hear how he’s going to help them save thousands of dollars with your service.  The challenge is that these people don’t always tell the truth on their application.  Or maybe a telemarketer needs just one more transfer to make bonus, and they make the transfer without getting the full story, and you’re loan mod transfer has a 780 FICO, and a 5% fixed with no hardships.

I’ve both sold live transfer leads, and I’ve used them myself to drum up business in several verticals.  The fact is, they can really work wonders to boost morale, make those phones ring, and increase business.  But I’ve also been burned.  It’s hard to know who to trust, what works, and what doesn’t, so here’s an opportunity to learn from my experiences.

In a blog posting by the Lead Critic entitled Sniffing Out Shady Lead Companies, I wrote, “Make sure the company you are working with has agreements in writing, which should state; filters used, method of delivery, dispute/return policy, etc. You wouldn’t buy a $2000 TV without knowing these things, but you’ll plop that same amount down on a credit card with dollar signs in your eyes. I’ve been burned, until I started demanding this in writing. If they’re not willing to offer it, they’re not willing to stand behind their product. This is not to say there aren’t strong providers out there, with companies run by people with integrity, but it’s definitely buyer beware.”

This being said, you have to keep trying new things until you find what works for you.  Some companies swear by auto-dialers and predictive dialers, while others rely solely on mailers and email blasts.  Make sure you do your homework when you agree to work with a new service provider (or product).  Ask for references, research them on the internet.  As for live transfer leads, they really can boost your business, just set your expectations accordingly.