June 2009 Archives

We just wanted to share a bit about the people that make up 800response.  Here is a company photo of all of us!  Many of you who are customers should call your Sales and Customer Service reps here to go through the photo and put a face to a name!

An independent survey of 1,000 consumers tested recall of vanity 800 numbers and URLs in advertising, and uncovered consumers' intended actions when visiting an advertisers' web site.

 

Key Findings

45% Higher Recall Rate of Vanity 800 Numbers over URLs
After viewing and listening to sample ads, consumers have significantly higher recall of vanity 800 numbers versus web addresses.

 

As Many as 40% Cite "Research the Competition" as their First Step After Visiting an Advertiser's Web Site
An examination of multiple industries reveals that 17 - 40% of consumers will research the competition as their first step once they move on from an advertiser's web site.

Of those who visit the web, less than 10% would communicate with the advertiser as their first step.

 

Advertisers Will Benefit by Providing Both a URL and a Vanity 800 Number in Their Ads
Based on recall rates and online research behaviors, it is essential for companies to include a vanity phone number in addition to their URL in advertising campaigns for optimal lead generation.

 

Request the full Toll-free Vanity 800 Numbers & URLs in Advertising report.

 

 

This is an uplifting article on MediaPlannerBuyer.com (originally published in The New York Times) about the future of local advertising for auto dealerships.  Here is the beginning snippet...

Published on June 22, 2009

The closing of auto dealers following the bankruptcy filing of General Motors and Chrysler may not be affecting local television advertising as much as some had expected.

That's because the dealers that advertised the most were the strongest dealers, and those were the ones that managed to hang onto their businesses, writes The New York Times.

It's an interesting read...

Here are five tricks to easily ensure that you will be able to track response to advertising campaigns (yours, or your client's), and hone marketing efforts to generate more leads:

 

1.      Include a Strong Offer that will Result in Action

Give people a reason to call you and get them to act fast.  Include an offer that will make prospects and customers call you NOW.  For example: "Call 800-NEW-CARS today to get $500 off your new car."

 

2.       Feature a Vanity 800 Number as the Direct-response Tool in all Ads

To have a successful business, it is imperative that you give people the tools to contact you immediately after hearing a commercial, viewing a billboard, or watching TV.  The best way to do this is with a toll-free vanity 800 phone number.  Getting someone to call means you are one step closer to a sale.  So, get a vanity 800 number like 1-800-FLOWERS.  Put the number in all ads, and on all materials.  A vanity number that relates to your business will reinforce your brand and gives consumers the ability to contact you immediately.  And, research shows that consumers have a 45% higher recall of vanity 800 numbers over URLs.

 

3.      Prominent Placement of your Vanity 800 Number

Put your vanity toll-free 800 number front and center on the screen, and leave it there throughout a TV ad.  Mention it at least three times in a radio ad, and make it the focal point of a print ad.  Make sure it is easily heard and understood, visible and easy to read, and your ads will pull higher response rates.

 

4.      More Impressions will Pull More Responses

Buy a moderate to heavy ad schedule, whether it be radio, television, print or outdoor, or a combination of many of these channels.  Buying more time or space will decrease the cost per ad, and your toll-free vanity 800 number will increase your ability to generate leads and sales.  Delivering a consistent message multiple times will ensure consumers remember you.  And, if during these economic times you've been thinking of cutting your ad budgets - DON'T!  If you need to reduce your spending, just adjust your media buys.  Buy smaller print ads, and shorter radio ads, for example.  But, realize that maintaining a consistent message in your market means people will remember your business.  Cut your ads completely and they'll forget about you, completely.

 

5. Track and Monitor Calls

Finally, make sure you have a tracking system in place to measure cost-per-lead for your campaigns.  This will also help you improve ROI.  A complete lead-tracking system is available when you activate a vanity 800 number.  Also, have a smooth process in place to handle your incoming calls.  Avoid having a prospect call your dealership only to be placed on hold or bounced around to multiple departments until they reach someone who can assist them.  A Call Recording feature will come in handy when you want to monitor how reception or sales handle incoming calls.  Scrutinize how your calls are answered, how much time callers spend on hold, and how they are greeted by a sales person once connected. 

An Easy Way to Brand Your Dealership - Dealer Marketing Magazine, June 9, 2009

A recent article in Dealer Marketing Magazine explains how business owners (in this case auto dealers) can find a vanity number to use in their advertising campaigns to boost response rates and improve ROI.

There are some tips for how to go about finding a legitimate vanity service provider that offers toll-free service, routing, and tracking reports.

<a href="http://technorati.com/claim/c2mz3e2dsi" rel="me">Technorati Profile</a>

SpotWorks, in Alberta, Canada, offers online radio creative and production services for individual businesses, media companies and advertising agencies.

They also happen to be fans of using unforgettable phone numbers in their clients' radio campaigns to get them better response rates and improve the ROI of their media budgets.

http://www.radiocreative.com/vanity_800_numbers.html

Review some sample radio ads by going to the Sample Ads page.

Have you ever tried to dial a business, like your bank or a floral company, to ask questions or make a purchase?

If so, we'd like to hear about your experiences.

Did you see the vanity 800 number in an advertisement?
Was it an easy to remember vanity 800 number?
How often would you say you dial vanity 800 numbers?

Give us the scoop, the dirt, the glowing remarks about using a toll-free vanity 800 number to reach a small, local business in your area, or a national company like 1-800-FLOWERS.

We want to hear your stories!