Telemarketing is a method of direct marketing in which the telephone is utilised to sell, promote or research products, services or, in the case of an educational or political campaign, ideas. When delivered via a third party this is called outsourced telemarketing.

Outsourced telemarketing allows companies access to best-in-class customer contact telecommunications and information systems combined with outstanding personal selling and servicing skills. Telemarketing uses the telephone as a direct marketing medium through which a variety of sales and market research activities can be carried out. It can also be a key source of information on a company's prospective and current customer base, markets, inventory, distribution channels, advertising and promotional efforts. This enables organisations to keep in close contact with present and potential customers, increase sales, and enhance business productivity with far greater efficiency.