Telemarketing is a method of direct marketing in which a salesperson solicits prospective customers to buy products or services, either over the phone or through a subsequent face to face or web conferencing appointment scheduled during the call.

It is a widely used method of contacting people to promote products or services, raise money for charity, gather information, generate leads, and carry out surveys. With new technology, the term also includes videoconferencing calls, which in the vast majority of cases occurs with existing customers.