11 Ideas To Boost Your Business Using Recorded Message Hotlines - 01/02/11
Posted by Cloudnet Telecommunications on Tue, Feb 01, 2011 @ 05:53 AM
Idea 1 - People like calling recorded message hotlines
People like calling recorded information hotlines rather than calling
a person because:
- They know it will not be confrontational – there is no one there to argue with.
- It is easy to use – no logging into websites and getting spammed.
- It is quick – no auto attendant asking you to key 16 figure numbers in.
Idea 2 - Recorded message hotlines are cheap
You can use a standard Cloudnet number to record incoming calls for £8.50 a month. That’s it, all in. No call charges, no recording charges at that price, not having a recorded message hotline selling for you 24/7/365 is a strange decision.
If you want to go with an 0800 number then the incoming cost is 9p per minute with no minimum charge.
Idea 3 - Your recorded message WILL sell for you
A good recorded message WILL sell for you. There is no pay per click costing, pounds per click and no expensive ads with an uncertain response.
You want a message that is engaging and compelling. If you got the caller to call through an advert then you must be consistent with that advert. It needs to have a call to action. You want people calling the number to do something after they have listened to your words and you need to tell them what that is. Don’t let them guess.
The message can be long or short but it needs to get across your message. The message needs to offer features but also benefits.
Idea 4 - Test Test Test
Give the message a lot of thought but then record the best message you have and then run it. Keep running it until you have had a fair number of calls – 100 should do it. Now change it and see if you can improve.
Monitor each call you get – how long do people listen before they hangup? Do they give you the information you want? Use Excel and avidly record the results. Then change, check, change, check and you will get better results.
Idea 5 - One number per advert
Recorded messages are so cheap you really should have one tailored to every ad you run. They give you great feedback on each ad. You know who each ad is aimed at and now aim your message at the same people.
Idea 6 - There is no need to ask for your caller’s phone number
With a good 24/7 recorded message service, there is no need to ask for your callers phone number. The caller ID automatically gathers the caller’s phone number when they call. So you only need to ask for their name. Studies have shown that response goes up when people are not required to leave their phone number.
Idea 7 - Localise your campaign with local numbers
Recorded message hotlines don’t only have to be 0800 numbers. With Cloudnet you can have local geographic number as well as 03 national numbers. So you can localise your campaign. What’s even better is that you don’t need a local address to have a local phone number.
Idea 8 - Make your business card a direct response tool
Put an ad for your 24/7 recorded message hotline number on the back of your business card and see how much more powerful your business card becomes.
Idea 9 - Get feedback and gather testimonials.
Put your recorded hotline number on all your products and use it as a 24/7 feedback line. You can also use this feedback line to solicit testimonials from satisfied customers.
Idea 10 - Increase response from adverts
Research shows that you increase the response to adverts by using a 24/7 recorded message hotline in your ad. You’ll also reduce your budget, because you can use a smaller ad and get the same or better response. Whats more a good 24/7 recorded message services allows you to easily track response from your advertising, so you can see just how well your ad is performing.
Idea 11 - Include the words “Free Recorded Message” in your ad
Studies have shown that response is much higher when these three words are included in your ad. Just mentioning that it’s a free phone number is not enough.
About Cloudnet
Cloud Net provides reliable cloud based communication systems for SME's, based on high speed internet telephony- hosted voice over internet protocol (VOIP). We are small and friendly and very green.
We offer a simple system that is available next day without any of the hard sell based on a reliable product.
Without any capital expenditure you gain the benefits of free calls within our network and less expensive calls outside. The system represents a giant leap in functionality, is never out of date, has no maintenance charges and is at a fraction of previous pricing models.
The team has developed our platform and the technology behind it. Cloudnet is the only company to concentrate purely on our Internet based solution – the switchboard in the sky.
We give you :-
• Free calls within the network
• Free hardware including phones - no capital cost ever
• Lowest subscription costs in UK
This is third generation hosted VoIP made simple powered by SIP available on demand.
Author
By David Hill, Chairman Cloudnet
