démarcher

Démarcher is a French verb meaning to approach someone in order to propose goods, services, or opportunities with the aim of obtaining a commercial response. The act of outreach is called démarchage and can take various forms, including in-person visits (door-to-door), telephone outreach (démarchage téléphonique), emails or other online messages, and targeted advertising. It is commonly used by sales representatives, service providers, and businesses seeking new customers, and can occur in both B2C and B2B contexts.

The practice may involve individuals directly contacting potential clients or using intermediaries, and it can be conducted by companies, organizations, or sales agents. Démarchage can also involve digital and automated methods, such as online campaigns or scripted calls, though must remain within legal and ethical boundaries.

Regulation and consumer protection: Direct marketing that relies on personal data is subject to data protection and consumer laws in many jurisdictions. In the European Union and France, marketers must have a lawful basis to process personal data, clearly identify themselves, and provide means to opt out. Laws typically prohibit misleading, aggressive, or abusive practices and require respect for individual rights. In France, mechanisms exist to oppose unsolicited telemarketing, such as the Bloctel registry, which allows individuals to register to reduce or block such calls. Marketers must also respect do-not-call lists and other local regulations.

See also: door-to-door sales, telemarketing, direct selling, consumer protection, data privacy.