Note: Some Links may be out of date.

Blitz Ezine # 160 April 22, 2002

Note: This is an archived issue. Some links and/or content may be outdated

The Blitz-Promotions News Letter.
Issue no. 160, April 22, 2002
This issue on the web -
http://www.blitzpromotions.com/blitz160.htm
Subscribe to our Ezine
http://www.blitzpromotions.com/subscribe.htm

************ In This Issue **************
Comments
Food for thought
100 Ways to promote -
The Classifieds
Next Issues
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Blitz Comments
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

There are some nasty viruses making the rounds. Some appear like they are coming from reputable sources (one we got yesterday appeared to be sent from Microsoft). One interesting one says that it is the solution for a virus, and the solution will trigger your virus protection, but you should ignore it. Another we got said it was a security update for IE 6. A general reminder for virus prevention.

1. Don't open any attachments.
2. Preview your mail outside of your e-mail client - many isps have web based mail, there are other programs that let you look at your e-mail before you open it. One we mentioned last week was mail washer.
http://www.mailwasher.net/
3. Keep your virus protection updated at least weekly and do a full system scan at least weekly.
4. Keep backups for your files - keep all your important account names and passwords on paper.
5. Don't open attachments.

+++++++++++++++++
Food for thought
+++++++++++++++++

The only man who makes no mistakes is the man who never does anything. Do not be afraid of mistakes providing you do not make the same one twice.
Roosevelt

+++++++++++++++++++

+++++++++++++++++
100 Ways to promote your site - # 61
Toll Free Numbers
+++++++++++++++++
So would a toll free number help your business? First we have some notes from our readers - then a recent article I received and finally some comments from yours truly.

We have an 800 number, and it has allowed us to help many additional customers with their writing problems. --
*********************
Professional Effectiveness Seminars by Gloria Pincu Business Writing, Reading, Telephone Skills, etc. Bull's Eye Business Writing - a self-paced workbook How To Improve Your Business Reading Skills also on CD-ROM Basic Learning Systems, Inc. 954-792-4698 Fax 954-791-5004 See our Web site at
http://www.basic-learning.com
***********************

yes we have a toll free number. We feel it has helped to a certain degree. Although recently, our toll free number was down for over a week and we still received phone calls, I think that the majority of customers would much prefer the long distance call be on my phone bill instead of theirs.

Angela
*****************
Personally Yours by TAG Designs Put your favorite Photo, Logo or Artwork on a Mouse Pad, Mug, Key Chain, License Plate, Tee Shirt and more. Advertising & Promotional Products for your business & Event Just Send us your photo, logo or artwork, and we'll do the rest
http://www.tagdesigns.com/?olsig
http://www.advertisingangel.com/?olsig
*****************

800 Numbers
by Bob Osgoodby

Much has been written about the value of 800 numbers. Basically, an 800 number is like calling someone collect, since they pay for the call instead of you.

Does an 800 number increase the chances of making a sale? Let's explore this a bit. Suppose you read an advertisement, or visit a web site that lists an 800 number where you can get more information. Many times you get a "canned" spiel which, if you bother to listen to the whole thing, asks for your number so they can return your call. At that point, many people simply hang up as they don't want to give out their private number. The last thing they want is to be put on another telemarketing list. This tactic is used extensively in network marketing. Does it work? The jury is still out on this one.

Some make you fight your way through a maze of options - press 1 for this, 2 for that, and so on. Some don't even give the option of talking with a live person. If you don't select one it simply starts the option selection process again. - The jury is in on this one. The owner of this 800 number will pay for a lot of calls, that simply frustrate the caller and will never result in a sale. What a waste!

If you're lucky, you get a real person who answers the phone, and who can help. Now let's switch the focus here a bit, and make believe you are the person who answers. Is the caller a serious prospect, a bored teenager with nothing better to do, or what they refer to in the automotive trade as a "tire kicker?

Trying to determine if they are a serious prospect is a challenge. If they are, you might make the sale. If they aren't however, how do you gracefully end the conversation? Many small businesses are a "one horse" shop, without the staff, and equipment necessary to handle multiple calls. Every minute you are on the phone, with someone who is not a serious prospect, is not 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 because it 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 an 800 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 the small entrepreneur must have a separate phone line for this. If you are involved in several businesses, you should have a line for each one. That way, when the phone rings, depending on the number called, you can answer the phone in a businesslike manner.

We used 800 numbers with our businesses. As an experiment, we took the 800 number off our website, and put in a non-toll free number. Two things happened and they were both good. First, the number of calls received decreased by almost 80 percent. This of course concerned us at first. Secondly however, we saw our sales dramatically increase. Why? Because the prospects were pre-qualifying themselves, and we were not wasting our time, or losing calls due to lines being busy.

Do 800 numbers have a place in your business plan? Sure! If you are product oriented, a toll free order line is essential. People may hesitate to pay a toll for a product they wish to order. If you are service oriented, it is a must for technical support. With long waiting times for help, it would be a real turn off if one wasn't available.

Did you know that subscribers to Bob Osgoodby's Free Ezine the "Tip of the Day" get a Free Ad for their Business at his Web Site? Great Business and Computer Tips - Monday thru Friday. Instructions on how to place your ad are in the Newsletter. Subscribe at:
mailto:tipofday-subscribe@topica.com

So how can you know if an 800 number will work for you?

Test it.

Call your local phone company and ask them the rates for installing an 800 number. They'll have different plans, so make sure that you choose a plan that fits your needs and budget.

Sign up for a couple of months and add the number to all of your sales stuff - web site, etc. Then track your results. Does the benefits (sales), justify the cost, then you've got a winner. If not then unplug it.

+++++++++++++++++
Quick Link
+++++++++++++++++
Anti Virus resources
http://www.claws-and-paws.com/virus/