Page 114 - 101 Ways to Market Your Business

MAKE IT EASY FOR PEOPLE TO BUY FROM YOU

39 Pick up the cost of the call

Freecall numbers (where you pay for the incoming call) are
not expensive and I suggest that any business wanting to
expand into a larger geographical region should arrange for
this service immediately. The actual number can be linked
to any existing line and you receive a monthly statement
detailing how many calls the free phone number received
and where they originated.

The cost to establish this service can vary. From my
experience the telecommunications companies are a lot
more negotiable these days so it is worth asking for a special
price or one-off discount.

Once you have your Freecall number don’t be afraid of
handing it out and giving it to your customers—after all
that’s what it’s for. Have it printed on your brochures,
business cards, everywhere. It makes your business look very
professional and gives the impression that you care enough
about your customers to pay for their phone calls.

I have three Freecall numbers. Two for telephone lines
and one for a fax line. One of the Freecall numbers is for
a publication we produce. Our advertiser client base is
spread out over a large geographical region. The majority
of phone calls on this line are from people wanting to
advertise. Based on our research many of these people
would not have rung if we did not have a Freecall number.
The monthly bill for this line is about $200 and we
calculate that we receive almost $3000 per month worth
of business from the Freecall line. Whichever way you look
at it it makes sense.

In even simpler terms, imagine a potential client is
looking at two advertisements—one for your business and
one for a competitor. Both businesses will require a long
distance call at the most expensive time of day. If you have
the Freecall number and your competitor does not, I
strongly believe that the customer will ring your business.

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