Presistent sales agent for complex transactions

Abstract

The present invention includes systems and methods employing branded virtual characters across multiple network platforms throughout various stages of complex transactions (eg, selling insurance). These characters initially engage prospective customers on a network platform, such as a social network, and persist over time across other network platforms (eg, university and company websites) to educate consumers until they are ready to purchase—from their “trusted advisor”—particular products and services offered by various providers. Even after completing transactions, these characters continue to provide various services, such as notifying a customer whose circumstances have changed of a relevant product or service, while remaining available to answer questions and provide information upon demand. By employing a semi-automated model, the system of the present invention can answer many questions via predetermined vignettes and automated answers generated by expert systems, while still utilizing live human experts (often transparently) when necessary.

1 . A method for facilitating complex multi-stage transactions between prospective customers and providers of products and services, the method including the following steps:
 (a) hosting on a first computer a first application that is accessible by a prospective customer of a provider offering to sell one or more products or services;   (b) employing on the first computer a first virtual character in the first application to interact with and engage the prospective customer, during a first stage of a complex transaction, regarding the products and services offered by the provider;   (c) employing on the first computer the first virtual character to interact with and educate the prospective customer, during a second stage of the complex transaction, regarding the characteristics and suitability to the prospective customer of the products and services offered by the provider, wherein the first virtual character:
 (i) poses one or more questions to the prospective customer, 
 (ii) obtains data from the prospective customer in response to such questions, and 
 (iii) provides educational material to the prospective customer that is tailored to such data; and 
   (d) enabling the prospective customer, via the first computer, during a third stage of the complex transaction, to purchase one or more of the products and services offered by the provider.