Starting a company has been busy it seems.

[daytrader]

What else can we offer to help folks just getting started setting up their company?

For me I would add get a toll free number. They are cheap and VERY much a market item.

When I say cheap. Here is what I pay. 5 bucks a month to have it. .50 a call from a pay phone and only .02 cents a min from anywere else. This is cheap!

I can set that 800 number up to ring to any phone or sector. So with our service trucks. Running around. When someone calls out road service 800 number it rings to the closest truck from were the call is comming from.

Also on our advertising it works as well. As EVERY call is recorded and traced. Only cost me about .08 a call. I choose to have this. The recording have never had to be used in a court yet. They have helpped us find drivers that were in bad cell areas. We were able to go listen to the call again and again telling our techs were to go.

I use a company called kall8.

www.kall8.com

At the end of the month I pull a report that show the exact time and PLACE were every phone call came from. This comes in handy.

[ProView WR]

Originally Posted by daytrader

...they are cheap and VERY much a market item.

Agreed 100%. For some reason having an 800 number is like having a website for your company...seems to make your company more legit. I'd much rather call an 800 number then even a local number to a company. Not sure the psychology behind it, but it works.

I have used the kall8 service for numerous things. They in my opinion are the easiest to use.

How are you getting the 2c/min though? Cheapest they have now is 6.9/min and a few years ago when we started with them I believe it was about 4c/min.

Just curious.

[daytrader]

.019 cents was my sign up rate. About 5 years ago. I transfered my 800 number to them from a diff service.

[StarQuest]

I guess using a 800 number works for some people in this business but to be honest it didn't work for me in my area!

I ran a 800# for over 2 years (actually it was a 888# because very few 800 virgin only numbers are available today, unless your willing to pay extra for them!)

On my signage and business cards I offered both the toll free "888" along with my local number and the results weren't what I thought they would be. 95% of calls where made to my local and not to the "toll free".

Some of you may ask how can that happen? Simple answer. My local number shown I was an area operated business and the other logical reason was they knew they wouldn't be charged extra for a zone call using their cell phone for my area code, so why bother with 1-800?

The only time a think a 800 number is necessary is when your selling services out of state when additional charges are added.

As far as a local working area in repair...I don't see much advantage to it. JMHO

[daytrader]

The advantage is fleet work.

Like Enterprise can give the renter my 800 number and they can use it from any phone with no charges. They could give them my local number, yet we service 200 miles in 3 states.

I am like the other poster I will call someone with a 800 number before I call one with out. Seems safer.

[daytrader]

I also use Biz cards that cost a heck of alot more, yet I only use them in special times. They are Aluminum printed cards. They look great and Last. I also use paper just not many. I find tele cold calls from a telemarketing company to be much CHEAPER and more effective then paper cards.

In Las Vegas I do marketing every year as a service truck for semi repairs. You would be shocked at the reaction I get from the metal cards.

[Bois]

I guess it all depends on the size of your NPA service area (area code). I use a cell phone and I chose a provider who would give me an 903 area code number. Any one calling me from a 903 land-line phone number is not charged a toll. The area covers practically all of eastern TX. Anyone not having a 903 NPA is out of my marketing area anyway.

[daytrader]

Originally Posted by Bois

I guess it all depends on the size of your NPA service area (area code). I use a cell phone and I chose a provider who would give me an 903 area code number. Any one calling me from a 903 land-line phone number is not charged a toll. The area covers practically all of eastern TX. Anyone not having a 903 NPA is out of my marketing area anyway.

Very good point. See in my area in 30 miles we have 4 area codes.

So dose anyone have any other tips to offer.

I have a ton on advertising. I set up my Corp for a reason and yet no one else seems to have anything?

Folks many of us learnt the hard way. Lets, let others plan on our learning.