michael

E-MAIL v TELEPHONE
Mike Walsh

It is 135 years since the telephone was invented yet most businesses are still largely dependant upon it to handle their communications. They have replaced the horse and cart with a firm’s van; the town crier is history as newspapers now carry advertisements. Mysteriously the telephone, once companion to the telegram, Morse code and semaphore signals, is still in vogue.
The year 2008 was the year when more of business advertising budgets were spent on Internet advertising than on television. Nearly everyone is familiar with e-mails so here are a few tips to make yours work for the improvement of your business. For a start always make sure your advertisements, signage and promotional literature includes your e-mail address prominently displayed.

WITH E-MAIL

• You can give precise directions to visiting clients; even attach a map to make their trip easier. They will appreciate the thought that went into it.
  
• E-mails can detail the services and prices you offer; if you own a restaurant your menus can be e-mailed. Pre-ordering makes life easier for the kitchen staff whilst reducing your buying costs.
  
• Invite your customers to leave their e-mail addresses. That way you can inform them of special offers; price reductions; entertainment books, holidays, opening and closing times.
  
• We have all heard the expression: people don’t buy products, they buy people. It is true. Pictures of the premises, staff; interior, can be sent to enquirers. This will help them to loyalty bond better with your business.
  
• If you hold events; moving address, take on a new manager, book an entertainer, the e-mail can be used to inform customers or to make your introductions
  
• The e-mail message will offer opportunity for you to place a ‘signature’; a permanent sales message on every message you send.
  
• Invite customers to comment on your services. These can then be included in e-mails to reassure new clients. They are good for inviting suggestions too.
  
• Good news? Tell your customers; promotions, awards, and very important key selling points to identify your business as being perfect for their needs.
  
• If you are a member of a trade association or body this can be permanently included in e-mails too.
  
• If it is appropriate to the type of business you are involved in then places of local interest can be included. You can invite visitors to browse associated businesses.
  
• When the phone rings you are obliged to answer it even if it is inconvenient for you to do so. Similarly you might have to get your timing right when making calls even though it interrupts your routine. Unlike the telephone call e-mails can be sent and replied to at your convenience.
  
• Unlike the telephone the e-mail doesn’t cost anything to use.
  
• Again, unlike the costly inconvenience of postal deliveries, when they are not striking or behaving like prima donnas, the e-mail can effortlessly handle bulk information without bumping up the cost of sending it.

Mike Walsh © Spain / Britain : Freelance Journalism : Legal Issues

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baldilocks

Michael you missed one:-
e-mails can also fill up your SPAM container faster than a WWII food producer.

betterlife

I prefer emails, since sometimes there are people who make cold calls.

Spain-123

Stick a zz or a qq or something similarly obscure in front of your proposed email address.

E.G. zzjohnsmith this will prevent many spam trawlers finding your address, not many names begin with zz or qq

Also, beware of I.S.P.'s that use call centres of the Indian sub continent, strange how Email lists then appear on the African continent

valicante

To me the email is more than just a manner of receiveing/sending notificationsetc, it is also my work. I work as a freelance Virtual Assistant, I can sometimes administrate 9 email acounts at a time.
Many freelancers receive all their work projects by email.
Translation work is sent by email and then send for payment.
All the work sent me for copywriting etc is sent to me by mail. Some of my previous clients live in the United Kingdom and some the otherside of Spain.
Meeting face to face is impossible, so sending an email is the only way of delivering instructions of the projects to be done.
So the email is my world.

baldilocks

Funnily enough nearly all the mail in my 'Spam Box' comes from people whose e-mail begins with a 'q' is this significant?

We have a lot of translation work and ophthalmological secretarial work that comes to us via e-mail.

michael

Welcome to 2010, my friend! I am compiling a directory of restaurants in the Costa Blanca region. Rule of the thumb I would say only 1/15 display an e-mail address for their customers.

Yet, through the local Press I recently pointed out the 12 ways of making an e-mail address work to their advantage. It was a waste of 'pen and ink'. The Americans have a saying for it: 'You can't fix stupid.'

It isn't my rant. It's been discussed between many friends, posters on other forums; even restauranters. Generally they agree. Many have said that most restaurants deserve to go belly-up.

The recession is only an excuse. The truth is they are not fit for purpose; a recession works perfectly in exposing their management weaknesses.

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JazminesII

Many businesses in Spain have no idea how to utilise the internet and market themselves. For this reason I've thought about branching out on my own to set up a BPR (Business Process Re-engineering) and Marketing company quite a lot over recent months.

valicante

Go for it, obtain your dream. Do a mindset...
It wont be easy but it will be for you. I spent years debating and negociating in still a very male dominated Spain. Sorry lads
In my work it is difficult to get the idea accross, people either do not know what a Virtual assistant is or they just dont understand what we do. Everyone understands the benefits they are clear, but how it works is another matter.
I was once told a very long time ago that Spain is the land of opportunity, if you have an idea go for it. If something is missing, fill the gap.
So go for it and if you ever need support, just let me know I am here.
Us female business have to stick together...lol
Make 2010 your year

baldilocks

" negociating" ; "In my work it is difficult to get the idea accross,", etc. - it doesn't help if you can't spell either!