New amendments to the TSR (Telemarketing Sales Rule) were announced by FTC (Federal Trade Commission). Bad news for telemarketers is that from September 1, 2009 it will become compulsory to obtain “the recipient’s signed, written agreement” before attempting to send prerecorded voice broadcast messages wether answered by a sales adviser or answering machine.

Unfortunately, the aforementioned rule doesn’t stop charities, political campaigns and health-care related prerecorded voice broadcast messages (oh, stop cheering you via**a sellers - you are not covered by HIPPA rules).

Until December 1, 2008 telemarketing campaigners will still be allowed to send voice broadcast messages that give the recipient a possibility to automatically opt-out with a help of a phone key-pad or voice command.

Another amendment to TSR (Telemarketing Sales Rule) affects the technical side of predictive autodialers many use for their voice broadcasting campaigns. From October 1, 2008 it will be necessary to provide a certain quality of communication. To cut a long story short, predictive autodialer will send multiple prerecorded messages in anticipation that the sales representative will become available when the recipient has listened to the message and pressed a key-pad to connect to a live person to discuss the offer.

As there always is a shortage in telemarketing staff, such calls often end in a dead call. This annoys the recipients, I shouldn’t tell you that! According to the new rules, 97% of such autodialer calls will have to connect to a live sales rep within 2 seconds.

Please mind the dates and update your equipment and train your staff to meet the new requirements! For more information visit FTC.