We’re Ready to Share the What, Why, When, and Where: All About 844 Vanity Toll Free Numbers by: Custom Toll Free, July 23, 2013 As a business owner or potential toll free customer or industry follower, you may have heard about the release of the new 844 prefix. But what is it all about, when exactly is the expected release, and why? WHAT— Let’s start from the beginning. 844 is the new toll free prefix that will allow businesses and individuals alike the chance to get an easy to remember number with a brand new prefix. All combinations will become available! (Examples… 844-Call-Now, 844-Your-Biz) Read More
4 Common Mistakes that Small Business Owners Should Avoid by: Custom Toll Free, July 22, 2013 Small businesses around the globe are starting to find new ways of advertising their products and services. It is true that most businesses operate locally, but they are now trying to extend their reach and aim for a bigger market. So what pushes them to do so? Why is small business marketing getting a boost today? Read More
Five Reasons Why #Entrepreneurs and #SmallBusinesses Can’t Survive Without Digital Media by: Custom Toll Free, July 19, 2013 There are several reasons why entrepreneurs and small businesses should make their digital presence a top priority. Digital isn’t just cool, or the ‘way of the future’, it’s essential for small business and new startups to embrace. In the past many entrepreneurs have fallen prey to engaging in social or creating apps or venturing into mobile marketing because they were told they had to do it, or out of vanity, and rushed ahead without really getting it. However, there is now more data available than ever to support small business in getting the most out of their digital advertising strategies. So why can’t you ignore digital today, and how can you incorporate what you are doing now with the new digital age? Read More
3 Reasons Why Custom Toll Free’s BOGO Deal is a BIG Deal by: 00juno, July 12, 2013 Better Communication is Better Customer Service Read More
Women and Small Business: How to Crush It with Enhanced Credibility by: Custom Toll Free, Want to be the next Sheryl Sandberg, Marissa Mayer or Oprah? What’s the key to growing a wildly profitable business fast and getting the brand attention and respect your small business deserves? The blog Small Business Ideas for Women suggests “without credibility no business will truly be able to establish itself” and will “join the ranks of the many thousands that fail every year”. Credibility isn’t just about being appealing to consumers, or even maximizing marketing ROI or profit margins. It is also about developing a better perceived reputation and more value among vendors, lenders, and potential investors. So how do you develop more credibility, faster, both as a woman in the business arena and as a female small business owner? Read More
Independence Day for Entrepreneurs by: Custom Toll Free, July 7, 2013 After recently celebrating the 4th of July, we reflect on the fact that America is still #1 for starting a business and taking control of your own future and financial freedom. Despite the nation’s economy still badly bruised from the beating it has taken over the last six or seven years, the number of small business start ups that have erupted from the economic downfall is still higher than ever. There is nowhere like it on the planet: nowhere that the opportunities and odds of success are so great for small business owners. So embrace your independence and freedom and start your own small business or make sure you get out to support some this holiday weekend. Read More
Are You Missing the Call-to-Action? Some Tips for your Social Media and Vanity Toll Free Number Branding by: 00juno, July 2, 2013 What does the perfect marketing campaign consist of? Maybe it’s actively using Facebook or Twitter, or Pinterest’ed people in your product, or even what we love most: a vanity toll free number spelling out exactly what they need and what you do best. While it may not be everything to get the calls you want from customers, sometimes lost in the shuffle of catchy slogans and charming spokespersons is the simple gesture: the call to action. Imagine for a moment a world without customer service. This could be as costly as introducing yourself without a handshake. But it goes beyond green and red buttons and the “Call Now” taglines at the end of your advertising. Review your social media accounts and posts to make sure you’re getting your message right. Here are a few pointers: Read More
Leveraging Resources to Grow Your Small Business Venture by: Custom Toll Free, July 1, 2013 How can you leverage other resources to grow your own small business? Running and growing a business certainly involves resources. Each resource has a key component and must be followed through to the end in order to really see results. Of course, all business owners want an opportunity to brag and let everyone know how great their company is and that customers should be doing business with you. However, even if you are just starting out and maybe don’t offer a whole lot to earn bragging rights for yet, don’t get discouraged. There are still plenty of ways to capitalize on opportunities to get ahead… Use events like National Small Business week that we just saw a couple weeks ago to push out fresh, trending content and get found on the web. This should be a time when consumers are being encouraged to support local small businesses and be made aware of the importance of loyalty to local entrepreneurs in order to prop up and fuel the local economy. Read More
5 #Small Business Saboteurs #Entrepreneurs Must Guard Against by: Custom Toll Free, June 30, 2013 This is an amazing time to launch a small business, but if entrepreneurs aren’t careful these nasty little gremlins will take them down from the inside… Don’t let these fatal missteps derail your plans for small business success: 1. Micromanaging If you are micromanaging, then you are your own worst enemy. Your staff will be miserable and bitter, held back from their best work, and you will continue to entertain yourself with meaningless busy work instead of focusing on the really important money making and strategic stuff. Pinch yourself every time you catch yourself in the act and change that bad habit. 2. Lack of Systems Lacking systems is a recipe for failure. Entrepreneurs must realize that systems are the secret to better time management, increased ROI on staffing, and minimizing the odds of errors. 3. Not Tracking Trends Read More
Why Businesses and Customers Need 800 Numbers by: 00juno, June 27, 2013 The purpose of 800 toll free numbers is to boost communications between the customer and the business; not just in having businesses pick up the tab, but also in protecting customers from phone companies. 1-800 numbers function under a large framework designed to protect both consumers and businesses, ensuring that phone communications remain reliable and affordable. A generation or so ago when 800 numbers were first implemented, long distance rates for telephone calls were very high. The reason 800 toll free numbers became popular is because they are a way for businesses to help customers and to bring in more call volume and possibly more sales and conversions. Throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s, the vanity number became a sign of trust. In fact, it became a staple in direct response marketing which is still successful in many marketing campaigns. 800 toll free numbers still function as an efficient, cost-effective and convenient medium today. Read More
