Business: 800 Numbers

800 Numbers

Written by Bob Osgoodby

Much has been written about repparttar

value of 800 numbers. Basically, an 800 number is like calling someone collect, since they pay for repparttar 106457

call instead of you. Does an 800 number increase repparttar 106458

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 repparttar 106459 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 repparttar 106460 option of talking with a live person. If you don't select one it simply starts repparttar 106461 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 repparttar 106462 caller and will never result in a sale. What a waste!

If you're lucky, you get a real person who answers repparttar 106463 phone, and who can help. Now let's switch repparttar 106464 focus here a bit, and make believe you are repparttar 106465 person who answers. Is repparttar 106466 caller a serious prospect, a bored teenager with nothing better to do, or what they refer to in repparttar 106467 automotive trade as a "tire kicker?

Trying to determine if they are a serious prospect is a challenge. If they are, you might make repparttar 106468 sale. If they aren't however, how do you gracefully end repparttar 106469 conversation? Many small businesses are a "one horse" shop, without repparttar 106470 staff, and equipment necessary to handle multiple calls. Every minute you are on repparttar 106471 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 repparttar 106472 line is busy.

Entrepreneur: Organize Yourself in 9 Steps

Written by Barbara Myers

Owning a business requires expert organizing skills in order to keep on top of everything. Follow these steps and make more time in your work day.

1. Make a list of all your responsibilities as a business owner. Prioritize them. Income-producing tasks should be at repparttar top of your list. Place your prioritized list on your computer monitor. This will help you focus.

2. Make a list of everything that MUST be done each week. Note repparttar 106456 amount of time needed for each task.

3. Reserve ten minutes each evening to schedule repparttar 106457 next day. Generally, schedule only 70% of your time to allow for interruptions and emergencies. Be sure to draw from your list of things that must be done. Try to set up time blocks where you work on a specific area (for example, marketing) for a certain amount of time before you move on to finances.

4. Organize your office by category. For example, place all your marketing files and information in one place. Put all your financial paperwork together. This will help you focus on one project at a time. It is also a time-saver.

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