800,Numbers,Much,has,been,writ business, insurance 800 Numbers
Small offices have unique needs, and thatincludes document shredding. Designed with the smaller business inmind, the Dahle 20314 is a cross-cut shredder that offers Level 3security and brings you into compliance with federal regulations. The As we all know to live in this world we have to perform some activity by which we can earn money. There are many activities by which we can earn money and meet the standards to live in this society. And from one of them is franchise. Franc
Much has been written about the value of 800 numbers. Basically,an 800 number is like calling someone collect, since they pay forthe call instead of you. Does an 800 number increase the chancesof making a sale? Let's explore this a bit.Suppose you read an advertisement, or visit a web site that listsan 800 number where you can get more information. Many times youget a "canned" spiel which, if you bother to listen to the wholething, asks for your number so they can return your call. Atthat point, many people simply hang up as they don't want to giveout their private number. The last thing they want is to be puton another telemarketing list. This tactic is used extensively innetwork marketing. Does it work? The jury is still out on thisone.Some make you fight your way through a maze of options - press 1for this, 2 for that, and so on. Some don't even give the optionof talking with a live person. If you don't select one it simplystarts the option selection process again. - The jury is in onthis one. The owner of this 800 number will pay for a lot ofcalls, that simply frustrate the caller and will never result ina sale. What a waste!If you're lucky, you get a real person who answers the phone, andwho can help. Now let's switch the focus here a bit, and makebelieve you are the person who answers. Is the caller a seriousprospect, a bored teenager with nothing better to do, or whatthey refer to in the automotive trade as a "tire kicker?Trying to determine if they are a serious prospect is achallenge. If they are, you might make the sale. If they aren'thowever, how do you gracefully end the conversation? Many smallbusinesses are a "one horse" shop, without the staff, andequipment necessary to handle multiple calls. Every minute youare on the phone, with someone who is not a serious prospect, isnot only wasting your time, but may cost you another customer,who can't get through because the line is busy.Some people, who may have a slight interest, think that becauseit is a toll free number they don't have anything to lose,so they make the call. It doesn't cost them anything, so why not.These are your "tire kickers", are usually not serious prospects,and are wasting your resources.How do you avoid these types of problems? Simple, don't have an800 number. If a person has to spend their "nickel" for the call,they have already pre-qualified themselves as a serious prospect.You know that time spent with them will be productive. Now thesmall entrepreneur must have a separate phone line for this. Ifyou are involved in several businesses, you should have a linefor each one. That way, when the phone rings, depending on thenumber called, you can answer the phone in a businesslike manner.We used 800 numbers with our businesses. As an experiment, wetook the 800 number off our website, and put in a non-toll freenumber. Two things happened and they were both good. First, thenumber of calls received decreased by almost 80 percent. This ofcourse concerned us at first. Secondly however, we saw our salesdramatically increase. Why? Because the prospects werepre-qualifying themselves, and we were not wasting our time, orlosing calls due to lines being busy.Do 800 numbers have a place in your business plan? Sure! If youare product oriented, a toll free order line is essential.People may hesitate to pay a toll for a product they wish toorder. If you are service oriented, it is a must for technicalsupport. With long waiting times for help, it would be a realturn off if one wasn't available.
800,Numbers,Much,has,been,writ