Benefits

People just don't remember a sequence of numbers.

This statement is backed up by small businesses to large companies that don't have their numeric phone number as their website address.

People have the ability to read by identifying the shape of a word quickly, rather than working out a number sequence. Imagine if we replaced letters with numbers and asked you to read at the same pace; you just couldn't do it. With that said, imagine replacing numbers with letters? This is now possible with your numeric phone number, and converting it into a telephone name. Let's have a look at this fictitious company.

Giants Solar Panels

Phone number: (03) 9696 0101

The above company and phone number are like a lot of companies throughout Australia. Their phone number, which is crucial for their business, has absolutely no relevance towards who they are or what they do.

It would take large amounts of constant advertising for a person to recall the phone number and then dial it. Imagine the above phone number on radio?

So call Giants Solar Panels today, on, nine, six, nine, six, zero, one, zero, one. That’s, nine, six, nine, six, zero, one, zero, one. In one ear and out the other. Asking a person to remember a numeric phone number after hearing it on radio is a big ask.

At least you are pushing your brand and letting people know that you are alive. And if they can't remember your phone number, there is always the yellow pages the customer can fall back on.

Hang on a minute!

You have spent your hard earned advertising dollar promoting your company, only to find that when a potential customer needs your products or services, they have to find you in a directory to find out your contact details. These directories are where your competitors hang out.

So using the above example; the customer has remembered the company name but not the numeric phone number. However, they are determined to get a quote. They decide to track you down in a directory, only to find that you are surrounded by other similar businesses. Suddenly your customer has options. They may see a competitors special and decide to call them first before they call you.

You have done all the hard work, yet your competitor receives a free kick.

The above example doesn’t just apply to radio. It could be newspapers – A potential customer is reading your ad and likes what you have to offer. Hopefully, they call you straight away, but highly unlikely. They have taken in your company name and your products or services. They may call you in an hour, a day, a week, a month, when they get back from holidays, when they get home from work, etc, etc. But you are relying on them to have your ad close by.

Will they keep your ad for a week or month?What about advertising on your work vehicle(s) or other outdoor advertising? Sometimes a potential customer may only have a couple of seconds to view your sign.

Once again, they absorb your company name and product or services. Trying to remember a numeric phone number in a couple of seconds isn't going to happen.

By changing your numeric phone number into a name or word will improve your response rates on your advertising.

Imagine if Giants Solar Panels changed their phone number to 1300 GIANTS or 1800 SOLAR PANELS.

Let's go back to the radio ad again.

So call Giants Solar Panels today, on, one, three-hundred, giants. That's, one, three-hundred, giants. Or So call Giants Solar Panels today, on, one, eight-hundred, solar panels. That's, one, eight-hundred, solar panels. Both telephone names are very easy to remember, but more importantly, they are easier to remember for a longer period of time.

Newspapers, T.V, signage on your work vehicles, or outdoor media, can all achieve that memorable status using a quality telephone name.

Potential customers may not be ready for your product or service when they see or hear your ad. So it is important for your company to make the most out of your advertising dollar. Satisfied customers are your best sales reps. They will go out and sing your praises.

If you have a quality telephone name, it will enable you to tap into "word of mouth". Traditionally, when people are referring a company to a friend or family member, they will mention the company's name and how happy they are with the product or services.

It was then up to the other person to track down that company's contact details.

Once again, you are doing the hard work, yet a potential customer is heading off to the directories to find you and your opposition.

John: Where did you get your solar panels?

Barbara: Giants Solar Panels. They were so professional. They were fast, efficient and the best price.

John: Giants Solar Panels. I might give them a call tomorrow?;

(The potential customer has the name and he is heading for the directories, but wait!)

Barbara: "Just call, 1300 GIANTS. Ask for Jim"

John: 1300 GIANTS. Too easy!

Barbara has kept John away from the directories, shutting out your competitors.

Perception

Telephone names look far more professional than a normal numeric phone number. They make small companies look big and big companies look even bigger.

Reducing costs

Telephone names can actually reduce your marketing spend.

Eg: Your marketing budget was $25,000 for the year with a normal numeric phone number. It produced 1000 leads. $25,000 divide by 1000 = $25 per lead. By placing a quality telephone name into the next budget, you can reduce your spend by at least 20%. $25,000 – 20% = $20,000. $20,000 divide by 1000 leads = $20 per lead.

You are receiving the same amount of leads but you have just saved yourself $5,000.

Imagine if your existing marketing spend was $50,000, $100,000 $1,000,000, etc. etc.

The point is, quality telephone names work a lot harder than a normal numeric phone number. Your normal numeric phone number may be costing you money.

Summary

We ask you to give an honest appraisal of you existing phone number.

1: Would this phone number keep customers away from the directories/competitors?
2: Would this phone number be mentioned in a ‘word of mouth’ conversation?
3: Is this phone number enhancing your company?
4: Would you have your existing phone number as your website address?
5: Would this phone number stick in people’s minds, for a long period of time?

Please note: This is not about removing your existing phone number. Leave it. With todays technology, you can add a quality telephone name to the same line and receive monthly reports for each.

For information on a particular telephone name, give us a call or drop us an email.