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January 26th, 2012

Is your business phone number allowing you to be all you can be?

All eyes were on the President the other night as he delivered the State of the Union address a large part of which focused on job creation and business development. He reminded the nation of the greatest asset everyone in this country enjoys, the ability to reap great rewards in return for hard work and innovation.

Jobs may have drifted overseas in a big way and who can blame employers for outsourcing when it is the only way to stay competitive and achieve a decent bottom line? In fact outsourcing has enabled thousands of new American businesses to be launched in the last few years. Perhaps you have launched a business of your own, are working hard and innovating but if you aren't utilizing the best tools available to your organization and are working to get the most out of them, you certainly can't complain if you aren't seeing all rewards you desire. For small business owners this includes your business phone number.

Are you using batches of toll free numbers to test and hone your marketing campaigns? Do you have a winning vanity number which boosts your brand and maximizes your conversion ratios? Great toll free numbers are so affordable today that there is no excuse for any organization to go without one. It would be like someone complaining that they don't have a job when they haven't bothered to open the newspaper or apply for any.

This is still a great country. However, many great countries and empires have fallen before, never to regain their pole position. Get the most out of your business phone number, achieve your own and business maximum potential, hire more employees and do your part to keep this country great.

Uncategorized, Vanity and Branding |
January 25th, 2012

When someone mentions vanity numbers there are probably a select few which immediately pop into your head. How can you develop and capitalize on this level of brand recognition for your own enterprise?

Some of the most generic vanity numbers have done incredibly well for building industry dominating corporations. Of course most of these are already taken but this doesn 't mean that you can 't get your hands on a catchy toll free number which will ingrain itself in the minds of your prospects.

Many of the best of these numbers have been created as part of creative brands using new word pairings. Think 800-Geek-Squad, 800-Got-Junk and 800-411-Pain. So if you are working on a new start up or are attacking a new niche think about how your business phone number, business name and Internet domain name can bring together a great new brand.

How do you get your own winning vanity numbers? Using the latest toll free search tools begin using the broadest keywords, individual words and allow the tools to make great suggestions for you. Then dig deeper as needed.

However, no matter how great or not so great your choice of vanity number is, it is often how you use them and promote them that makes all the difference in becoming the it brand. Think of the vanity numbers you remember. What is it that makes them stick? Often it is the accompanying radio jingle. Even if you aren 't using radio you could accomplish this with TV and web commercials.

Impress your clients and prospects with your catchy vanity numbers and then show them how to get their own, while you earn a nice commission through a toll free affiliate marketing program, adding a slick new revenue stream.

Affiliate, Vanity and Branding |
January 24th, 2012

There are various advertising techniques and strategies available which are proven to drive traffic and increase sales. It does not matter whether you have a small, mid-sized or large business. Most success comes from great advertising campaigns, topped with a great product or service, of course.


Have you ever wondered how certain companies stand out and attract crowds and become successful? Your competitors are using proven advertising strategies which drive traffic their way, engage customers, and make sales. If you analyze the most important, useful and available marketing and promotion choices for your business, you can achieve the best advertising strategies.

When trying to attract customers you will be faced with a very challenging task. In order to create a successful advertising strategy, you will be competing against local competitors as well as online businesses. Consumers are overloaded with all types of advertising messages. You most certainly need to examine how you intend to stand out from the crowd.

The brand name and logo that you select are key elements to your advertising strategy. The most successful advertising businesses today stay visible with a unique brand name and logo. Remember, your business name represents your company, and how others view your company. Definitely spend time trying to come up with ideas on how you will stand out from the competition. Focus on establishing a name which is easy to remember. Your name and logo will be the focus of how your audience will recognize specifically what it is that your business does and will keep them from going to your competition.


One of the biggest concerns entrepreneurs look at today is how they will draw people to their website. Professionals can certainly create amazing websites which act as an excellent lead generating source. In order for the website to be effective, you must increase the amount of visitors, or traffic, to your website. Your site must pop up in search engines. This contemporary form of advertising is done with social media and blogs. You can certainly establish a Wordpress blog or blog site, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages, and learn Social Media Control.

Some other great avenues of advertising include trade shows, direct mail marketing campaigns, conferences as well as promotional items. Name recognition in the marketplace is what will help your business reach the highest levels. Consistency among your advertising strategies is key.

Uncategorized |
January 23rd, 2012

Looking for winning toll free numbers for your business? Check out the following tips for searching and finding the best possible toll free numbers.

Use Shorter Keyword Phrases

Try beginning your search for toll free numbers with individual keywords or shorter keyword phrases. The best search tools will automatically return additional toll free number options. You can go up to 10 digits or letters but it is much wiser to start with shorter, easier to remember ones and expand your search if you need to.

Keep Your Prefix Options Open

Even though you may have a preference in mind, try to keep your options open to begin with. Successful businesses, products and brands have been launched using all of the current prefixes available for toll free numbers including 800, 888, 877, 866 and now 855 toll free numbers.

Don 't Write Off Toll Free Numbers Already In Use

Just because one of your favorite toll free numbers is showing it is already in use, it doesn 't mean that you should give up on it. New shared usage plans allow you to get access to and control of premium vanity numbers at affordable rates for specific geographic areas. The added benefit to this solution means being able to piggy back on the current call volume of a number and competitors who are using their resources to promote it. Or considering taking advantage of monitoring and back order service so that you are alerted as soon as a desired number becomes available.

Premium Toll Free Search Services

Leading toll free service provider Custom Toll Free can assist by performing advanced, in depth searches for you. This provides you with a specialist consultant who will find winning business phone number options for you as well as tracking down the owners of must have toll free numbers and negotiating the take over for you.

Toll Free Benefits |
January 20th, 2012

If you have logged onto the web in the last few weeks you have heard of SOPA and the battle to stop the proposed bill. If SOPA isn't stopped and a clear message sent that infringements and restrictions like this won't be accepted, where will it end? The Library Association is already raising fears that they could be on the hit list. Then why not target your vanity numbers so that you cannot effectively compete offline either?

SOPA has the power to kill a huge number of jobs overnight and halt the launch of companies in their tracks. It's not just the small guy who will be affected either. A recent survey of angel investors and venture capitalists resulted in almost every respondent stating they would stop funding digital media intermediaries.

Hollywood is upset. They spent $3.7 million on getting Obama elected, have already thrown $4.1 million into the re-election campaign pot and have publicly come out in the news essentially attempting to blackmail the President into supporting them or losing their support. That's a lot of pressure. That is 10 times his current salary, not to mention the ego boost of staying in the White House. For Obama it is either the right thing for the people ad the country or the best thing for his career, certainly a tough decision on who to support. Ironically, if Hollywood gets its way they may still be able to make movies but the only one who is going to be able to afford them is the President!

Even if you don't conduct the bulk of your business online but maybe you rely heavily on your vanity numbers, what does this mean for you? How would your business survive without your vanity numbers? It's scary to think about. Think about all the lost clients and revenue, not to mention a large part, if not entirely, your marketing campaign.

So far 4.5 million have signed the anti-SOPA petition showing the congress how strongly they feel but that isn't nearly enough. If you work in or own a company which does business online, make your voice heard. If not you don't just face having your website shut down and doing five years in a cell, your vanity numbers could well be next, followed by far more serious consequences.

Vanity and Branding |
January 19th, 2012

1. Time to Tweak Your Web Domain Name?

Whether you are working on re-branding or just want to improve your credibility and PPC advertising results, acquiring a web domain name which incorporates your toll free number can be a great move. This doesn't mean you have to abandon your current Internet domain yet, you can have multiple domains all forwarding to your WordPress blog while you test them.

2. Go BIG with Your Vanity Number

Don't hide your vanity number on a hard to find contact page. Exude instant credibility and deliver confidence in your organization and products by being bold with your placement and sizing of your vanity number on your home page.

3. For Winning at Local Search

Local search marketing is only going to be more important for all businesses this year, especially with the advent of mobile devices. Tweak and optimize your WordPress site by including your business phone number and address.

4. Social Media Badges

You should absolutely by incorporating social media badges on every blog post you put up on WordPress. This not only makes it easier for your traffic to share what they love about your brand but also helps build credibility and build a buzz about hot topics.

5. Time for a WordPress Makeover?

>If there is one gift your business deserves this year it could well be a WordPress makeover. If you haven't already, invest in a premium theme or framework. Genesis is great for those who like DIY but aren't tech pros. The Thesis Theme offers a ton of benefits but does require some technical expertise.

6. Start Asking for the Business

Your WordPress blog may be your most important marketing asset this year but now that you have had time to build up your content and offer value it is time to start asking for the business. Don't be afraid to ask for comments and for prospects to acquire what you are offering. It's time to close deals.

7. Affiliate Marketing

Start diversifying your affiliate advertising. Instead of overloading your site or blog with ads try incorporating sticky widgets and deep text links which will not only increase the revenues you see from the affiliate marketing programs you join but also improve your image on the web.

Vanity and Branding |
January 18th, 2012

Ready to launch your first major round of marketing campaigns for the year? Maybe you aren't...

The holidays are out of the way, you are finally getting caught up, you have tuned into to the most important advertising trends of the year and are ready to unleash your campaigns just in time to capitalize on the flood of consumers flush with cash from tax rebates. However, without the right toll free numbers you could be setting yourself up for failure.

Whether you are seizing the opportunity in direct mail or TV while your competition is distracted elsewhere or you are racing to hone your PPC advertising campaigns. Vanity numbers can make all the difference in your responses, conversions and ROI. Work the math and you will see the huge difference. Beyond this, it isn't just about whether you pull in enough business to cover the overhead next month. Maximizing marketing ROI means having a bigger budget to splash on your next round of promotions and advertising, while establishing your brand as the best in your industry. You are either snowballing in a positive way and gaining momentum or being steamrolled by the competition who are using their vanity numbers to put you out of business.

Don't make the mistake of just stopping with your main vanity number either. You need to be constantly testing and tweaking your marketing campaigns, especially if you are getting into new niches or exploring new mediums. Batches of 855 numbers are ideal for this.

With mobile so important this year and being able to differentiate yourself with personal service your toll free and vanity numbers could be your best asset. Make sure to utilize all the routing and forwarding capabilities at your finger tips to extend your service hours without having to add more overhead.

Vanity and Branding |
January 17th, 2012

Brand Naming can be fun and exciting. The of brand naming may put you on top and leave your competition dragging behind. Designing a particular grand is a big deal for your business. However, the best brand naming does not require any particular college degree or special skills. All it takes is a little focus on your business and the message you are trying to convey.

If you need help with your vanity brand naming, you will also find many helpful brand naming tools that are available for free. Place your focus on locating that one particular word or phrase that will leave a lasting impressive and descriptive message, certainly one with enough to capture the audience you want to reach. Brand naming can be used to help consumers describe what your business does or makes your business unique at what you are offering.

It can be somewhat overwhelming to think of a great brand name. A brand represents your business, your product, or your services. A brand is what people remember and associate with your business, so it has to be a good one. A great brand name that will linger in people's minds forever. There is no doubt that a successful brand name will stand clearly above the rest, therefore assuring you the greatest ability of success and you will have a competitive advantage.

A business with an exceptional brand name should have other components like having the best available customer trust, loyalty and long-term relationships which will together ensure that your business will endure the test of time. The success of your company is in your hands. Secure a unique brand name with your vanity numbers and become a leader in your industry.

Vanity and Branding |
January 13th, 2012

With $153 billion to be spent on advertising this year are you prepared with the vanity numbers you need to compete?

Extensive research by leading media companies has revealed the most competitive marketing channels for the next 12 months. In addition, they also revealed the predictions of significant growth in advertising expenditures in the U.S. Regardless of which industry you are in, it is going to not only take acquiring great vanity numbers but really putting them to work in order to win a significant amount of the business. Are you prepared?

So what are the hottest advertising trends anticipated to flourish in 2012? Cable TV advertising is expected to lose half a million subscribers a year and print remains repressed though fewer competitors could make these channels great performers for those who use them. Both of course rely on vanity numbers for maximum effectiveness. The biggest winners in terms of growth are set to be online search and display advertising channels with mobile marketing and video drawing the most attention.

Unfortunately many businesses continue to overlook the importance of toll free numbers for their online presences. If anything having great vanity numbers and using them everywhere on the web is not just critical for competing but also essential for a better bottom line and ROI.

While you may be tempted to increase your spending in order to try and keep up, the truth is that there is little point if you don 't have the basics right. Otherwise it is simply throwing good money after bad. If you can increase response rates and conversion ratios by double or triple digits with the addition of a vanity number, why would you put more money into any marketing campaign until you have one?

Still not convinced you need a vanity number? Look at the biggest winners in your industry last year. Don 't they have them? Plus with affordable toll free services and monthly contracts it is easy to test out how vanity numbers can impact your advertising effectiveness.

Toll Free Benefits |
January 12th, 2012

Entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to generate more leads and lock in new contracts for the year may find the answer from a combination of the current job market and hot toll free numbers.

New data from the Department of Labor 's monthly surveys revealed there are currently about 4.2 job seekers per available job openings, with 3.2 million jobs up for grabs as of November last year.

Small business owners looking for a new source of leads and prospects to promote their B2B products or services to can find job ads a great choice, especially for those on a budget. Companies advertising job openings are a sign of organizations who are flush with cash, ready to spend and who are expanding. In other words, the perfect target customers. Of course you don 't want to spend hours combing job ads yourself but a $1 an hour virtual assistant can scrape data from the web for less than it costs to acquire decent lead lists and can make initial contacts for you.

Just as job seekers need a way to stand out and can wow prospective employers with great vanity numbers so can entrepreneurs looking to win new business and contracts. This works even better when vanity numbers are highly targeted to the industry being promoted to.

Instead of forking over millions and searching for hours for a great toll free number, there is another affordable solution which offers premium vanity numbers from less than $20 a month - shared usage.

Custom Toll Free 's new spotlight service highlights the best vanity numbers which come available so that small businesses can cash in quickly and can be used on shared usage plans.

A few of the amazing vanity numbers available at the time of writing this post included:

 

855 - RESTAURANTS

855 - MARKETING

888 - PRINTER

877 - PC - INNOVATIONS

800 - ATTRACT


Find more here.

 

Image Credit: Mszumlas | Dreamstime.com

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