| The debt settlement industry is growing rapidly with the | | | | delivered on the telephone. These calls either come |
| average American consumer carrying lots of credit | | | | from a call center or a direct toll free number on an |
| card debt. The recession is also adding fuel to the fire | | | | advertisement. The benefit to purchasing live leads vs. |
| with consumers looking at all options to handle their | | | | standard ones is that a live call ensures you can get a |
| debt loads. As the industry grows companies are | | | | hold of the person and you talk to them when they |
| looking for new ways to get business in the door while | | | | are ready. |
| avoiding the many pitfalls of advertising. | | | | The marketing that generates the calls varies from |
| Debt settlement leads are prospects that have | | | | company to company. Some lead generators use |
| responded to an advertisement or offer for assistance | | | | internet marketing and some use offline advertising |
| dealing with their debt. They usually have $10,000 or | | | | such as direct mail, TV, radio, print, telemarketing, or |
| more in credit card debt and large monthly minimum | | | | outdoor advertising. The type of lead and the overall |
| payments. The lead usually consists of the prospects | | | | quality is determined by the format and source of the |
| name and contact information such as the persons | | | | lead. Also affecting the quality is the exclusivity or the |
| phone number, address, and email. | | | | distribution of the lead. Many lead companies sell leads |
| There are two formats that these leads can come in; | | | | more than once to make more money, these are |
| live leads and standard leads. Standard leads are in | | | | called semi or non-exclusive leads. Exclusive leads are |
| written format and are usually emailed or delivered | | | | only sold to one company for a specified amount of |
| electronically via the internet. Live leads or live calls are | | | | time. |