Page 125 - 597 Business Ideas You can Start from Home - doing what you LOVE! (Beginner Internet Marketing Series)

Step 6. Create Your Executive Office 117

• Craft paper or stuffing material so the contents don't rattle
around or break during transit

• Packing slip pouches (if necessary)

With these supplies, you won't have to dread sending packages;
instead it will be an easy, efficient assembly line.

Lines of Communication

In today's business world, consumers expect that a company will
have a toll-free number; perhaps a local number; voice mail to leave
messages; a fax number; an e-mail address; and as much as pos­
sible, a live person to speak with if the need arises. Your company
is no different. Here's what you'll need.

An Actual Phone

Buy a phone that's easy to use and has a "hold" button. To get
this function, you may have to buy a two-line phone, even if you
only have one phone line. Sometimes you will need to place the call
on hold and get a document or qUickly reference something, and it's
more professional to put the caller on hold than drop the receiver
on your desk and have the caller hear you fumbling around. You
may also want a hands-free device so you can speak without try­
ing to balance the phone between your ear and shoulder. Try to
get a phone with caller identification capabilities or you can get
the separate caller ID piece from your phone company. It is nice to
know whose call you missed if they decide not to leave a voice-mail
message.

You could start with a cell phone (using a separate number than
your personal cell phone) until you are ready to add a line to your
home. I do recommend the landlines eventually, however, because
they get better reception and feel more professional. A landline says
you are attached to the ground somewhere with an actual office.