Business Phone Line - Webinue.com

This is a questions which I often receive.... "Should I get a business number?"

Well, my answer is a.) consider getting a second line designated for business (that the kids won't touch) or b.) consider converting your existing residential line to a business line?

1.) As a business, the phone company provides you one free listing in the Yellow Pages.... That's free advertising! Take out your phone book and see how many travel agencies are listed in the directory. There are still people out there who use the phone book. Many of them may be folks with disposable income who aren't surfing the Internet. Get your free listing and maybe consider upgrading your listing to a bold listing or the next step, place an ad!

2.) Your caller ID. When you call your client, you'll have a choice of how the caller ID reads to your receiver. You may wish to only list your phone number, however you may have the choice to list your business name or website address!

3.) "What if I'm never home to answer the phone?" Good question. Then, forward your calls to your cell phone. Take advantage of whatever tools are available to you to grow your business. Your cell phone isn't going to get you a listing in the phone directory.

Costs. You may be surprised and find out that your telephone doesn't charge extra for a business line (vs. a residential line). If they do, switch to a carrier that doesn't. I use Trinsic. Their website is Trinsic.com. They provide an unlimited calling service plan for businesses for $49.95 per month. It includes voice mail, call forwarding, busy call forwarding, and a find me feature which plays music as the system attempts to locate me. If you choose to use Trinsic, please give them my number (661) 261-9250 as a reference.

Differences in service. "If I convert my residential line over to a business line, what else will change?" The answer is that 3 basic things will change if you convert your residential line to a business line.

1.) The name on your monthly statement and your caller id.
2.) You'll get an automatic business listing in your local Yellow Pages. For additional area advertising ~ You may want to consider getting another line for another city in your area.
3.) The billing department of the phone company (you'll now be dealing with the business department).
4.) If it's important to you to be subscribed to the Do Not Call List,... business lines are excluded from subscribing to the National Do Not Call List.

Talk to your tax man. A portion of your telephone bill may now be a write-off or deduction. This may be true for your business line, home line, or cell phone.

Who will be answering you phone? You may want to consider who will be answering your business line and who won't be. Will they be answering the line properly. If you have older children, you may want to give them some coaching on the new business phone answering etiquette. Give them some instructions, coaching and even practice with them. The image you present on the phone is vital to your business. It's important that they answer your phone properly every time. Also consider how you answer the phone. Is your voice pleasant and professional.

A few phone tips...

1.) Smile when you answer the phone. It does make a difference. I know you feel silly. Do it anyway!
2.) Answer every call you can or call back as soon as possible. This includes everyone who calls you (friends, business calls, even bill collectors). Every call deserves the courtesy of a call back. They have taken the time to call you. Amazingly, this simple phone etiquette modification will change how you think and work your business.
3.) Important: If you're sad, down, or just quarreled with someone, consider letting the voice mail get it.

Thoughts on Call Waiting. A little bit about call waiting... Call waiting is an option most calling plans offer (even business lines). You may choose to keep it, however, you may want to consider disabling it. Why consider disabling it? Call waiting was originally a residential style feature. I can always hear the moment of silence as a person receiving a second call is talking. It momentarily fades out the voice (of the person with call waiting) to the listener. To me it's a sign that the business is small and/or home based. Now, don't get me wrong, home business is definitely a good thing, the current trend and the wave of the future. I personally like supporting mom and pop businesses (in my small local town). I also like supporting the Internet small business owner. Home business is thriving, legitimate and I believe that the freedom it provides is a healthy solution to living in this hectic society. Working from home is also not new. It's been around for centuries. My issue,... personally, I just don't want to sound home based. I want to put my best foot forward in every aspect of my business. Just a point to consider.


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