How 1 800 Numbers can Streamline your Marketing Activities

June 18, 2013 1:59 pm /

In order to make marketing campaigns a success, there are two important strategies that should work together – branding strategy and advertising strategy. A complete branding strategy and an active advertising approach are important for the success of any marketing campaign.  1 800 numbers also has an important part to play in a marketing campaign along with these two strategies.  Toll free numbers, also known as 1800 number are a great tool and can influence the success of a marketing campaign to a large extent.  Below discussed are some of them:

Builds a National Presence

1 800 numbers work like a local number throughout the U.S and Canada. It does not charge callers for the call. These numbers create an impression that your business is everywhere and is accessible for free all across the U.S and Canada. A toll free number also helps to improve the credibility of an organization. When you are making a sales call or your executives are making calls, this number can prove to be very beneficial in establishing the credibility and professionalism of an organization.  All incoming calls on this number can easily be forwarded to any phone – home phone, mobile phone, or to any specific extension. Using it with a virtual phone also allows you to enjoy advanced features including call forwarding, send fax online and creating multiple extensions.

Makes a Phone Number Memorable

Customers must be able to remember a phone number before making a call. 1 800 numbers can help to make phone numbers memorable. Vanity numbers are also toll free numbers but they contain a combination of words and numbers. These numbers are closely related with the business it represents. For example, 1 800 POPCORN, if you are selling popcorn. The letters are related to the numbers on the mobile keypad where 2=ABC, 3=DEF, and so on.

Research has shown that these numbers are highly successful in generating customer response from any advertising or marketing campaign. People can relate the number with the business and so it becomes easy for them to remember the number.

Helps in Tracking Marketing Campaigns

Tracking marketing campaigns is important to measure the success. 1 800 numbers can be used to measure the success of a marketing campaign. You can use two different numbers for two different campaigns and track the number of calls coming from each of these numbers. These calls are nothing but leads. Likewise, it can also help you to find the most effective advertising medium. You can use different contact number for advertising online, in newspapers, or on banners – and track the number of calls from each of these numbers.

Using it with a Virtual Phone

Using 1 800 numbers with a virtual phone system can offer multiple benefits to a business. It ensures that all the callers are professionally answered and are connected to the right person or department. It also allows the use of advanced features including voicemail, call forwarding and virtual fax. In other words, it helps to enhance the professional image of a business.

 

Posted in: 1 800 Numbers / Tagged: ,

A Few Important Things to Look for in a Virtual Phone Service Provider

June 11, 2013 2:23 pm /

For a business, what really matters is the service of a phone system. A business needs a phone system and its business-critical features. Entrepreneurs do not want to bother themselves with any other aspect of a phone system. A hosted phone service allows customers to pay for the phone service without the need to maintain its back-end services or buying expensive hardware.  Searching for a hosted communications solution can provide you with a list of providers and features that can easily paralyze the buying decision of an entrepreneur. So, what are the things that you should look for in a virtual phone provider?

There are a few things that every entrepreneur must take care of while searching for a provider for hosted phone service or a virtual phone. An entrepreneur must look for the:

 Simplicity and Ease-of-use

Using a virtual phone is rather easy.  It does not need any installation, hardware or software. A virtual telephone does not even need a dedicated telephone connection. It can be used with a cell phone, office phone or home phone. It is also quite easy to use. Some of its advanced features including call forwarding, voicemail, reading voicemail through email and send fax online help entrepreneurs to conduct business from anywhere and anytime. These features help entrepreneurs stay in touch with their customers even when they are away from office, travelling or on a vacation.

Reliability

A virtual phone system allows small entrepreneurs to enjoy all the features of a fully fledged phone system without the heavy price tag. It combines all forms of communication – voice, data, voicemail and faxing to provide users a unique experience of a unified communications system. A virtual telephone is particularly helpful for mobile workers and sales people. It provides them a reliable solution to all their communication needs. Using a virtual phone, mobile workers can answer their customers’ calls, transfer calls to their colleagues and employees and can also send and receive fax anytime and anywhere.

A virtual telephone also minimizes the chances of calls going answered. If you cannot answer a call, the auto attendant of a virtual telephone forwards it to the voicemail box. Every voicemail is immediately notified through emails or text to your cell phone. Voicemail can also be read or listened to through email.  This virtually removes all possibilities of calls or voicemails going unanswered. Using a toll free number with a virtual phone system can further enhance the professional image of a phone system.

Price of a Virtual Telephone 

Most of the providers do not require any agreement for using a phone system. Some of the providers also offer a free trial. So you can make sure that the service perfectly suits your business needs before you actually start paying for the service. Service providers offer flexible plans for their virtual phone service. Choose the plan that you feel will suite your business needs. Plans can be changed according to the need and demand of business.

Posted in: Virtual PBX Service, Virtual Phone / Tagged: ,

How Toll Free Numbers can Strengthen a Business

June 6, 2013 2:56 pm /

Research has shown that 90% of Americans believe in using toll free numbers for their business. Most Americans recognize this number as a typical business number that can help you gain business advantages. A toll free number allows customers to call a company without paying for the call. These numbers are also popularly known as 1800 numbers and can do wonders for a business.  Below are a few easy steps that a business can follow to leverage maximum benefits from this number and re-discover their businesses:

Expansion of Business Area

Toll free numbers help companies to reach customers beyond their local calling area. This gives businesses a chance to market the business nation-wide.  In today’s internet age, it is not very difficult to build a national presence, but an 1800 number is perhaps the only tool that allows customers to call businesses for free! This is definitely a huge advantage that even the internet cannot provide. It creates contact between the customer and the business, without charging the customer ever for these phone calls.

Advertising Businesses

Advertising is important both for small and established businesses. You advertise not only the business but also the addition of new products or services in your business, new offers or discounts. Toll free numbers give a business an air of professionalism and legitimacy. It makes a business appear larger and credible so that it easily earns the trust of its customers.  Research has shown that consumers searching a phone book are more likely to call a business with a 1800 number than one without. People buying from online stores also look for a 1800 number before making an online purchase.

Prompt People to Inquire

Toll free numbers are effective in initiating direct responses from customers. When you advertise a product or a service, customers are often not sure if it (the product or service) is really helpful for them. They wish to learn more about the product and service before making a buying decision. 1 800 numbers can prove to be extremely helpful in situations like this because customers feel relaxed to call you and inquire about the product and service without caring about the call charge. A toll free number is an efficient tool to trap an inquisitive caller and in qualifying a caller as a qualified lead.

Telcordia Technologies (now part of Ericsson) conducted two paper advertisements simultaneously. One of the ads contained a toll free number and the other did not. The result was that the ad that had a toll free number received more calls that the other ad that did not.

Important for Lead Generation

Toll free numbers also provide an excellent tool for lead generation. Since this number captures all the call details including the phone number of the caller, the time of call, duration and location, online marketers can have an alternate contact number for their prospect in addition to the contact number that the prospect has provided.  It also helps online marketers to maintain a list of callers who have shown interest in their product.

Using Vanity Numbers

Vanity toll free numbers are an easy way to make a telephone number memorable to customers. This is perhaps the easiest way to help people remember you – for you can expect calls only when customers remember your phone number.

 

Posted in: Business Toll Free Number, Toll Free Phone Numbers

Should you Consider Using Toll Free Numbers for your Business

June 4, 2013 3:03 pm /

One of the important marketing questions in today’s time is, “Which number is more effective for marketing and communication of a business – toll free number or local number?” The question can be answered from different perspectives. Toll free numbers has a significant role in the marketing and communication plan of a business.  They work in the same way as a local phone would. You can use a toll free number with a virtual phone system and that will allow you to use features including auto attendant to welcome your callers, online fax and voicemail box. It also allows you to direct and forward calls to multiple phone numbers including your cell phone, home phone or office phone number.

Vanity Numbers are Important

The primary difference between toll free numbers and general phone numbers is that a toll free number charges its recipient even for incoming calls. Getting 1 800 numbers are easy. You can contact any RespOrg to secure one such number for your business. You can also use a vanity number. Vanity numbers are also an important tool to include in your marketing and communication plan.

Customers Appreciate Toll Free Service

Customers appreciate toll free numbers, especially during busy times when you have to put them on hold for a longer time. Although customers usually do not like being placed on hold for long, it can be worse if they are paying for the call. 1 800 numbers help you provider better customer satisfaction because these numbers allow customers to reach you anywhere and at anytime without charging them a cent.

Using It like a Local Number

Toll free numbers also help to enhance the productivity and credibility of a business. A research report has shown that eighty-six percent of customers associate 1 800 numbers with better quality of business products and services. By providing customers the ability to reach you via a toll free service, customers believe that you want to talk to them. Another advantage of using this service is that you do not have to reprint your business communications and marketing collateral just because you are relocating your business. You can use a toll free number like a local number throughout the US and Canada.

Following are some interesting facts about toll free numbers:

  • An advertisement containing 1 800 number can generate 30% more response (Source: InternetTrak)
  • 84% of current online shoppers depend on the Web to search for products and services. A toll free number can improve the sales rate (Source: InternetTrak)
  • Research has showed that an 1 800 number can increase the response rate of a marketing advertising and promotional campaign
  • A vanity number is often more effective than a toll free number in generating customer response
  • The growing demand for vanity numbers often makes it difficult to get the right vanity number for your business
  • In such cases, sequential vanity number can also be used. This is another toll free service that contains a group of repeated digits like: 1 800 123 1234

Consider using a toll free number for your business and you can best judge how your business has benefitted from it.

 

Posted in: 1800 Numbers, Toll Free Number, Toll Free Numbers, Virtual Phone System

Is It Beneficial to Get Toll Free Voicemail Service?

May 27, 2013 11:34 am /

Most small business owners dismiss toll free voicemail as an unnecessary feature that is quite similar to an answering machine. They are hesitant to use a voicemail service. But in reality voicemail is radically different from an answering machine. In fact, it has quite a few smart features over a traditional answering machine that can benefit your business immensely.

Advanced Features of Voicemail

If you are busy and cannot answer a call you can route that call to your voicemail box. Your customer can leave a message for you in your voicemail box and you will reply back to them at an appropriate time.  You also have the option to screen the call before you answer it and answer it only when you think it is important. You can route other calls to your voicemail box. Service providers also offer some advanced features of the toll free voicemail box like: creating multiple voicemail boxes, new message alerts and voicemails that can be read in emails.

Creating Multiple Voicemail Boxes

Service providers allow you to create multiple voicemail boxes. You can create a voicemail box anytime and as per your need. Creating a dedicated voicemail box is just a matter of few clicks. You can create a dedicated voicemail box for individuals, departments or for a particular marketing campaign. You can use the voicemail box either as a message taking or recorded hotline extension, depending on your need.  A well-scripted sales message of the message taking extension can turn a good lead to a qualified prospect within few minutes.

Message Alert

Your phone system can also send you a message as soon as you get a new message in your toll free voicemail box. It sends alerts to multiple email addresses or on your mobile device or on any landline or mobile phone number. The alerts that are sent via email also allow you to listen to the message and forward it to someone else.

Voicemail to Email

Voicemails can also be listened to right from email. When a customer leaves a message in your toll free voicemail box your virtual telephone system immediately delivers it to your email inbox with a link to listen to the message. To listen to the message you can simply click on the link and the message is played through your speakers. But this is not enough. You can know even more about your caller! Just at a glance you can see the phone number of the caller, the caller’s location, time of the call and also the duration of the call. If the caller’s number is included in the white pages, a handy link is sent so that you get more information about the caller.

 Read Your Voicemail

Read your voicemail is a new feature that is available for highly mobile entrepreneurs. Professionals who are always moving for business depend more on their smart phones, iPhones and iPads than their computers. Listening to their voicemail isn’t really an option for them. It is much quicker for them to read the transcribed message. Read your voicemail offers a more practical way to connect with their messages quickly, allowing them to manage and respond in a timely manner that best fits their schedule. Read your voicemail provides you the option to conveniently read your voicemails as text transcription via email or via text message.

Posted in: Toll Free Voicemail / Tagged:

How to Record the Message on an Auto Attendant

May 27, 2013 8:01 am /

The greeting of an auto attendant is often the first impression a caller has of your company. A professional and engaging greeting can go a long way in strengthening the corporate image of a business.  The messages of an automated attendant can be edited or changed according to the hours of operation, season, holiday, or for a particular business need. But the importance of an automated receptionist is not limited to merely greeting callers. It can also be used for other important business purpose, like marketing.

Marketing Potential of the Message

You can record information about a new product or service on the auto attendant and play that after it has welcomed your caller. You can also play a promotional message while the caller is waiting on hold to get the call transferred. This may include information about few features, expansion of your business, discounts, coupons, etc.  This is an excellent way to spread your message to customers as well as prospects. It does not cost anything additional to do this unless you choose to have it professionally recorded and yet it is quite effective.

When You Should Ask for a Professional

Since the message of an auto attendant plays such a significant role in your business, you ought to be careful while trying to record it. You can script and record the message yourself or can alternatively hire a professional for the purpose. But there are a few things that need to be considered when you are recording the message. Consider a professional for the recording if you:

  • Feel shy about recording yourself – the message should sound professional yet cordial
  • Have a heavy accent because callers might find it difficult to understand
  •  Want background music on your recording or
  • Want to have a common vocal image throughout the company, for example, on hold message, extension greetings, unavailable, etc.

How You Record the Message

If you wish to sound personal, it’s better you record the message yourself. There are few things that you should take care of before and during the recording:

  • Find a quiet place for the recording. Excessive background noise might sound unprofessional
  • After you have finished scripting, read it aloud. Often scripts sound different when you read it aloud
  • Speak calmly and professionally. Use your own personality
  • Speak a little slower when you are recording so that all the words are perfectly audible
  • Play back the recording.  Listen carefully to what you have recorded. You can re-record anytime if you are not satisfied

How You Script the Message

Though recording the message on the auto attendant is important, it is equally important to script the message. After all, you (or any professional) will read the script. Following are a few tips to help script the message:

  • Be brief and professional
  • The first few lines of the message must welcome the caller to the company
  • It should also introduce the caller to the company very briefly
  • It then should list out the menus
  • There should not be more than 5 or 6 options
  • Do not say “please” before every menu option

To learn more about Auto Attendant please click here

Posted in: Auto Attendant / Tagged:

Advantages That an Entrepreneur Can Expect From a Virtual PBX Service

May 17, 2013 12:32 pm /

While shopping for a business phone system, do not overlook the potential of a hosted PBX service. Also known as virtual PBX service, these phone systems offer a perfect communication solution for small, fast growing and distributed businesses.

With a virtual PBX service, there’s no need for a large premises traditionally used to accommodate technicians required for running a traditional PBX. Instead, this is a hosted service that works more like a website in that a service provider hosts the service though users are able to manage their settings.

Affordable yet Effective

A virtual PBX service can be a compelling alternative (to a traditional PBX) for businesses that have offices in different geographic locations. All employees can access the features of a phone system from any location. A virtual phone service allows the transfer of calls between colleagues sitting next to each other or in different locations. Moreover, it is also quite affordable. It can work with any existing telephone connection – landline or cell phone. It also does need any software or installation.

Helps Mobile Workers/Sales Professionals

Another related benefit of using a hosted PBX service is improved support for mobile employees. Sales professionals, who are always on the go, can now easily maintain connectivity with their colleagues and customers even when there are travelling. Faxing is also an easy affair with a virtual PBX. Mobile professionals can answer their customers, transfer calls to their colleagues, fax documents and check their voicemail even when they are not in the office. All thanks to a virtual PBX service!

Improved Call Management

The advanced call forwarding feature of a virtual PBX always keeps an entrepreneur close to his customers. It never allows callers to hear a busy tone.  If one of your phone numbers is busy, the system tries forwarding the call to other phone numbers. This is another important factor that encourages sales. When a caller calls a business, he expects to speak to someone. Research has shown that a customer tries up to three times maximum before he gives up. Lost calls are equivalent to lost business opportunities. A virtual PBX service hunts you down to deliver the call. If the right person is not available to answer the call, it forwards the call to a voicemail box.

Distributing Information

A virtual PBX can also be an important tool for distributing information to customers. Callers usually need more information about a product/service before they actually make a purchase. Record all the basic information of a product/service on the auto attendant of a virtual phone; provide an extension in the menu options that customers can choose to listen to the information. After listening, they can choose to speak to you, if they need more information. This makes business communication more effective and also helps save time.

Simple Functionality

Using a virtual PBX service is also quite easy. Most of the service providers do not need a Service Contract. If you are not satisfied with the service, you can terminate it anytime. Usually the service providers also offer a free trial. So you can use and assess the service before you actually start to pay for it. The providers also offer multiple plans to meet the needs of all entrepreneurs. You can change the plan as a business grows.

Posted in: Virtual PBX Service, Virtual Phone / Tagged: ,

855 is the Newest Member in the Family of Toll Free Numbers

May 16, 2013 10:40 am /

It had been a long time that the telecommunications industry had been requesting that the FCC provide the new 1 855 toll free code. This was the latest addition in the set of toll free prefixes and was released in the 4th quarter of 2010. The FCC allowed providers to pre-reserve “888” toll free prefix numbers before they were released, but this was not the case with 855. There was no chance of pre-reserving these numbers.  855 numbers allow its users to enjoy all the benefits of normal toll free numbers – the only difference is the prefix.

Builds a National Presence

Branding a business is important. A brand is actually your corporate identity. Toll free numbers (http://www.itelecenter.com/Toll-Free-Number.aspx) play an important role in developing and maintaining the brand of a company. There are a few businesses whose toll free numbers have become synonymous with their brand. Moreover, calling these numbers doesn’t charge the caller. This actually intrigues customers to call you and inquire about your products/services. This can bring about a considerable difference in your lead generation exercise and sales efforts and you are sure to receive more inquiries.

Advertising Your Business

Once you have successfully developed a national presence, the next step is to reach out to customers across the country. Toll free numbers can be a great help in this as well – not only as an effective communication tool but also as an advertising medium. Research has shown that when you include this type of number in your advertising and marketing campaigns, it generates a better customer response. But no matter what phone number you use, most mean nothing to your callers other than a string of 10 random digits.

Vanity numbers are special toll free numbers that are successful in generating better customer feedback because they make phone numbers easier to remember. Vanity numbers contain a combination of words and numbers that closely represent the business they are associated with, for example, 1 800 CAR REPAIR. It tells you the type of business and also the way to contact it. Research has shown that vanity numbers can generate 30% more response than any normal phone number.

Flexible Plans

These new toll free numbers are as affordable as the old ones.  Nothing has changed except the prefix. They are equally easy to get and use. Once you have a toll free number, you own it forever. If you are not happy with the service provider you can change the provider without changing your number. You can also change your business, but you still carry the number and can use it. Moreover, most service providers offer simple multiple monthly plans to choose from. Some providers offer a free trial to use before you actually start paying for one such number.

Though “800” is the common and the most popular toll free prefix, other toll free prefixes are also in use. They provide the same business benefits as any 800 number (http://www.itelecenter.com/1-800-Number.aspx), the only difference lies in their prefix. “855” is the newest member in the toll free family and can give a business an equal edge as any other number in this family.

Posted in: 800 Numbers, Toll Free Number, Toll Free Numbers / Tagged: , ,

How a Virtual Telephone System Works For Your Business

May 16, 2013 10:29 am /

Big businesses have always used a telephone system to make their communication stronger and more effective. When you call a big business, you are usually given a list of options of how to direct the call. This is a great advantage. The call is easily directed to the right person or department thereby minimizing the chances of call lost. Research has shown that 85 percent of new customers do not leave a voice mail. When they call, they want to speak to someone. Big businesses know the importance of answering calls. When you are first starting out in business, a normal land-line or a mobile phone can serve as the best mode of communication but as the number of calls increases, the need for a phone system also increases.

Make Your Phone System “virtual”

A virtual telephone system is the best option for small businesses, medium businesses and also for home based businesses. It helps small and medium businesses project a professional appearance to their existing and prospective customers. A virtual phone provides a flexible and cost-effective approach to managing calls and fax services.  A virtual phone or a virtual PBX gives small business owners and mobile professionals the flexibility that they never had before. “PBX” is an acronym for Private Branch Exchange. A virtual phone works like a hosted PBX connecting the internal telephones of an organization to a public switched telephone network. It makes the communication system of an organization incredibly easy in a cost effective way.

Enjoy All the Features of a Phone System

Getting a standard PBX system for a business is an old option. First, it is expensive and second you have to maintain a fleet of people for managing the system. A virtual telephone system is the apt alternative. It has all the advanced features of a phone system and then some. Using a small business phone, you can easily use features like call forwarding, voice mail, auto attendant and another very significant feature of a small business – online fax.

Auto Attendant and Call Forwarding

The auto attendant of a virtual telephone system answers your calls and forwards them to the respective department/person. It works 24/7 without any human interference. An auto attendant replaces the human receptionist of an office and provides a cost effective and efficient solution for small and mid-sized businesses. The script of the auto attendant can be changed according to your business needs.

An auto attendant forwards the call to a person/department. If there’s nobody to answer the call, it forwards the call to voice-mail. The callers can leave a message in the voice mail box. Since a virtual telephone sends out notification of a new voice mail message to your email and cell phone, there are fewer chances of voice messages going unanswered.

Online Fax

Online fax is another very significant feature of a virtual telephone system. It allows all virtual phone users enjoy faxing without a fax machine. You no longer need a fax machine, ink, paper, or separate phone line for faxing – now it can be done via an online interface. It makes you environmentally friendly and is the cost effective and faster way of faxing.

Posted in: Virtual PBX Service, Virtual Phone System / Tagged: ,

A Few Benefits of Using 1800 Telephone Numbers

May 10, 2013 12:18 pm /

We all must be familiar with jingles during the commercials of TV: “Call the 1 800…number on the screen…” 1800 telephone numbers are an important feature in every advertising and marketing effort and yet few people know about them. Some entrepreneurs use them without proper knowledge of why to use it or knowing how this number can help them achieve their business goals. There are relatively few people who consciously use this number because they are completely aware of its benefits. Following is a brief overview of 1800 telephone numbers and how they can prove useful for entrepreneurs and also customers:

1800 numbers, popularly known as toll free numbers perfectly radiate a business image. They make you look professional and credible. It shows your customers that you mean serious business. As soon as you include a toll free number in your business contact information, you automatically enter the elite group of companies that can afford to offer toll free services for its clients to call. This number also makes a business look bigger than it actually is.

The greatest benefit of using 1800 telephone numbers is that these numbers can be converted to vanity numbers. Vanity numbers are especially famous for generating customer’s responses during a promotional or marketing campaign. This number can be used for advertising on billboards, TV, newspaper and Internet to tell your customer who you are and how they can reach you. The number perhaps solidifies your business image in a customer’s mind. Vanity numbers are related to the alphabet on the keypad of a phone. In this case your phone number could look like: 1 800 CHOCOLATE, if you are selling chocolates.

Customers prefer toll free numbers because they do not have to pay the phone bill when they are dialling 1800 telephone numbers.  A toll free number does not charge the caller even when he is calling from far away. This is definitely a huge bonus that encourages caller to inquire about your products and services. But this is not the only reason for their choice.

A toll free number is usually available with a virtual phone system that helps to navigate the different departments of a company easily. The auto attendant of a virtual phone professionally answers all the calls it receives on an 1800 number and forwards it to the right person or department. The virtual phone also allows you to use advanced features like voicemail, advanced call forwarding, etc.

1800 telephone numbers also allow you to create different extensions, even if all the calls are directed to you. It does not matter whether you are operating from a big office or from the basement of your house, you can create different departments like sales, marketing, customer service, etc. This makes a business look big and professional and it is quite an established fact that people prefer to have business relationships with bigger companies. They feel big companies are more credible than small ones. Why look small when you know the best way to look big and more credible?

Posted in: 1800 Numbers, Toll Free Numbers / Tagged: ,