Your phone # on your site might save you.
Several years ago I had some do-gooder, trying to rid the world of Spam. He assumed my ezine, OyesUcan, was the enemy and was going to expose my wrong doings to the internet world. It didn’t matter that people were opting into my newsletter; to him it was still spamming.
To justify his attack on my business this guy chose to pick up the phone and call what he thought was going to be a fake phone number listed on my contact us web page.
Now the truth is I really do run a home business (with 5 children I would not do it any other way). And this guy chose to call at dinner time. So here I am standing over the stove, children noise in the back ground and answering my business phone.
This is how the conversation went.
Valerie: Hello this is Valerie
do-gooder: I hear children!
Valerie: Yes, OyesUcan is a home based business, sorry for the noise, how can I help you.
do-gooder: (sounding confused) But this is an overseas spamming operation.
Valerie: No I am a real person running a real business.
The conversation went on for a bit and ended politely, although I did later find a forum post with some unkind things said about me and our conversation.
The point is having my phone number may have saved some much worse attacks on my website had this do-gooder not talked to a person that day.
If you are running a real business, post your contact information. It is part of running a professional business.
Valerie
editor OyesUcan
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Comments (11)
Joe Henning11
Your Profit Connection
It seems I follow you everywhere, Warren, as I just came across this, as you said, old article... nothing wrong with old hey.... Very good points made by all!!
Warren Contreras14
Old Retired Guy
I realize this is an old article, but it certainly is Evergreen. What I decided to do is use a free Google Voice number, then it rings my phone if they identify themselves and I can decide to answer or let it go to voice mail. It weeds out robot calls that way. I also include my Skype ID and leave it online 24/7, so they can always leave me a text message.
Cindy Bolley16
HHCTB?
What a woman!!!
Not only for the 5 kids but for posting your phone #.
Sorry to say I have opted for an evoice #. It works just as an answering machine does but the messages are delivered over my computer. I am able to set up the message just as I would a real answering machine.
I wanted the # to be my own area code so it costs me $4.95 a month to me money well spent!
Your also able to get them with an 800#
They offer a free option as well.
Cindy
Chuck Bartok10
Veteran Entrepreneur now Sharing
Valerie,
You are always so correct.
If a person aspires to be a Marketer, or any business for that matter, they must be accessible.
The reason I only Shop in my small rural Town is I can touch the Boss.
Get the service I deserve..
We don't eat in chain restuarants unless the manager is Local.
(beides,shoppoing local keeps the sales Tac HOME for My schools and services)
Post your number everywhere.....
But here is a tip. I also use a FREE 24/7 answering system and advertise th
Catherine Wilhelm3
Follow Me to OZ
I've just started posting a privatephone.com number in some places
just to see how many calls I might get.
Catherine
MichaelAp Clayton14
I Earn My Income Online ...Join Me
Hi Valerie,
I totally agree about having direct contact.
Valarie I also incude my telephone number in email posts and in articles etc.
What I find strange is; I do not get many calls but I do get lots of sign ups.
I think people just like to know you are a real person and you are there if they need support.
I also tell people to google search my user name rexiedexie
Michael Clayton (rexiedexie)
Chuck Ellison2
Very good point to be made here.
I believe you should never do business with anyone you can not personally speak to prior to the transaction. If more people would demand that phone numbers be available I believe we could resolve a lot of potential problems before they become problem. Your little story is a real good example of that.
I refuse to do business with anyone I can not personally get in touch with before I do any business with them. The internet has made it so easy for people to be
Teodor M.11
Blockchain Real Estate
My Thumb is Up here too!
T
Bob Riddell6
As I have teenagers sharing the phone and sharing computer time
has become our issues. Problem is until we are bringing in enough
funds, additional phone lines or computers even not in the equation.
That being said I wouldnt trade working from home for any other opportunity in corporate america. What price does your freedom
bring !
No salary could replace the joys the freedoms or the opportunity
for success as working from home. This has allowed us to have
our own websites and busi
Lisa Lomas11
Hi Valerie,
Its really neat to see this as I have children also and at times my children
are home when I have conversations. One time I had some people with my
phone number calling at 2am every morning for a week, for this reason I got
an answering service and monitor whom I give my number to.
Saying what you said though made sense and I think I may have to get a business phone number.
Thoughts for me to ponder.
Thankyou
Lisa