Partners FAQs
Get fast answers to pressing questions.
The FAQs listed below are the most common questions about our authorized sales agent program. Simply click on the desired question to view the answer. As always, contact us directly should you require further assistance.
How does your Partner program work?
What do I need to do to get started?
How do you sell US Directory Assistance to a customer?
How do I sign up a customer?
How does the commission plan work?
How are my sales tracked?
Can I have other people working for me?
Do I have to sign a contract?
Do I have a sales quota?
What can I expect to earn selling US Directory Assistance?
Do I have to bill my customers for US Directory Assistance?
Do I have to handle my customer's service inquiries?
How long are commissions paid on an account?
What type of customers should I be going after?
How does your Partner program work?
Our Partner Program allows you to easily market US Directory Assistance to prospective customers and to earn commissions on closed sales. Under the program, we handle all post-sale billing and service support for your customers. Your primary responsibility is to drive US Directory Assistance sales. Your commissions are determined by the difference between your transfer rate (established in our Sales Representative Agreement) and the retail rate that you set with the customer.
What do I need to do to get started?
The first step is to speak with us about your sales plan. We're looking to work with independent sales representatives who have direct sales teams or sub-agents who can drive US Directory Assistance sales. If you feel like the Partner Program fits with your plans, we'll furnish a non-disclosure agreement and a Sales Representative Agreement for you to sign. You're then ready to start selling US Directory Assistance.
How should I sell US Directory Assistance to my customer?
US Directory Assistance has a very simple value proposition: phone company quality directory assistance for a fraction of the cost. Customers have no problem understanding the benefit. The sales obstacles usually have to do with other priorities getting in their way or they don't perceive the financial benefits to be worth an implementation effort. Good salesmanship and relationships are needed to overcome these obstacles. As with selling any product or service, having a sufficient funnel of sales opportunities is critical to achieving your sales goals.
How do I sign up a customer?
Customers must sign a Service Agreement. Upon receipt of a signed Service Agreement and service location information, we provide you with a toll-free routing number that is all set to go. You'll then forward the toll-free number on to your customer for programming into their telephone switch. It's that simple.
How does the commission plan work?
The Sales Representative Agreement includes a transfer rate, which establishes a base on which your commissions are calculated. You set the rate to the customer, subject to certain limitations, and your commissions are calculated based on the difference between the transfer rate and the customer's rate. Commissions are paid out on collected revenues and are normally paid within 60 days of the invoice date. For example, commissions associated with the January 1st invoice will be paid at the end of February, provided the invoice has been paid by the customer.
The transfer rate contained in the Sales Representative Agreement is based on a monthly call volume discount schedule. As the aggregate volume from all of your customers grows, your transfer rate will automatically decrease as you exceed pre-defined volume thresholds.
How are my sales tracked?
Sales representatives are assigned an ID number, which you include with every order. This ID number is added to the customer account, enabling us to track your sales.
Can I have other people working for me?
Absolutely, we encourage relationships with companies that have sub-agents that can help drive sales of US Directory Assistance. However, under the Sales Representative Agreement, the authorized representative assumes responsibility for managing communication, orders, commission, and sales tracking associated with their sub-agents. US Directory Assistance does provide electronic reports that will allow you to track your sub-agent's sales activity.
Do I have to sign a contract?
Yes, all agents must sign a Sales Representative Agreement.
Do I have a sales quota?
Yes, agents have an annual minimum production level (MPL) of 5,000 new calls. Each year, the MPL is set at 5,000 calls more than the previous year's total call volume. For example, if an agent produced an annual total from all customers of 15,500 calls, the next year's MPL is 20,500 calls. An MPL is based on a calendar year (January-December). The MPL in the first year will be pro-rated based on the date of the Sales Representative Agreement.
What can I expect to earn selling US Directory Assistance?
You can expect your average commission per call to range from $.05 - $.20. Some customer situations produce commissions of $.02 per call while others will yield $.50 per call. Where your commissions will fit in this range depends on four primary factors:
(a) Your customer relationships - these get you the right audience leading to more sales.
(b) The 411 rates in the states in which your customer has locations - these competitive rates will make the US Directory Assistance value proposition more or less compelling and impact your commission per call
(c) The call volume associated with a particular sales opportunity - customers with larger volume will command more aggressive pricing, thereby lowering your commission per call.
(d) The call volume you're able to produce - producing larger call volumes will reduce your transfer rate and increase your commission per call.
Do I have to bill my customers for US Directory Assistance?
No, we handle all customer billing and collection.
Do I have to handle my customer's service inquiries?
No, we handle all post-sales support and will provide your customer with contact numbers as part of the service establishment process.
How long are commissions paid on an account?
Commissions are paid for as long as the agent is covered by a valid Sales Representative Agreement.
What type of customers should I be going after?
Good sales opportunities for an independent sales representative include hospitals, colleges and universities, hotels, collectors, and mid-size financial services companies. Ideal candidates have programmable telephone switches that can handle the software translation necessary to make US Directory Assistance transparent to an end-user. Authorized representatives should focus on customer locations that generate at least 50 calls per month.
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