Fake it till you make it

When you start a new business you always have to “fake it, till you make it.” In other words you need to look like a successful ongoing business, even if you don’t have any real customers yet. But most startups are more than a little short on cash too which makes it hard to look like a successful ongoing business.

Getting a good toll free number is one of the first and best things you can do in starting a new business, but it’s not one of the last things you do when you’re starting something new, it’s one of the first things you should think about. That’s because having a good toll free number is one of the easiest ways to look (and sound) successful for next to nothing.

With a toll free number you’re basically just paying the cost of the incoming calls each month. Most services have a tiny monthly fee, of just a couple bucks a month plus you’ll pay a few cents per minute for a couple phone calls which cost you almost nothing. Don’t you wish your rent was based on how much business you did that month?! It’s not, it’s a large fixed monthly fee so you don’t want to get that way ahead of time. Your toll free number will cost you almost nothing to have and will make you sound more like a business than anything else.

One more tip is that you can set up a toll free number going to your existing local number. You don’t need to get a separate local number right away, because you don’t have many incoming call. When you use a toll free number you have much more control over the ring to number so you can start with it pointing to your current local number and when you are ready to launch more and start to get more calls then you can change the ring to number to a separate business line. Not having to get a separate business line for a few months will probably save you more than the cost of the toll free number, so having a toll free number will not only give you more control and make you look more professional but it will actually SAVE you money too. How’s that for a deal!!

    1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
    Loading ... Loading ...

    4 Comments »

    Mark LaMoure says:
    March 4, 2008 at 8:12 pm

    Excellent article, Bill! Thank you for specifically anwering my question so clearly. My question was whether I can wait on putting the 1-800 number into service, when I don’t currently plan to open my business’s doors quite yet. You answered everything. Again - THANK YOU!

    Mark LaMoure

      What happens if I forget to transfer my number? at TollFreeNumbers.com says:
      March 24, 2008 at 12:07 am

      […] We don’t have a specific deadline, although eventually it can be considered abandoned and will have to be dropped. People who usually ask this are imagining that it will cost them a lot of money to have the toll free number active and they want to avoid this until they launch their advertising. They are forgetting that will probably get calls along the way and that a toll free number is one of the best tools to fake it till you make it. […]

        When to turn the water on. at TollFreeNumbers.com says:
        April 13, 2008 at 11:36 pm

        […] free number is one of the cheapest things you’ll do to start your business and a great way to fake it till you make it. It makes you look successful and serious without very much expense or […]

          Do you have to keep your toll free number Active? at TollFreeNumbers.com says:
          May 16, 2008 at 1:15 pm

          […] if you didn’t have much up front expense in turning it on. A toll free number is a great way to fake it till you make it so it’s usually one of the first things people do when starting their […]

            RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL

            Leave a comment

            Random Testimonials

            Testimonial 142 out of 1727

            As a new business having a viable phone number is imperative. Bill has been extremely helpful and we appreciate his "extra mile" assistance.

            Mickey Spurrier
            sacramento-limo



            Testimonial 80 out of 1727

            Our company's experience with 1-800 MARKETER and Mr Bill Quimby was excellent. They were very responsive and their professionalism and follow up was outstanding. I would highly recommend their services to anyone looking to help expand or grow their business through the use of a toll free number.


            Ben "Tres" Brooks III
            President
            Brooks Realty & Advisory Group



            Testimonial 1099 out of 1727

            Exceptional service!! good reliable company to work with.

            Sam Thomas, Manager
            heberinsurance.com



            Testimonial 657 out of 1727

            I really appreciate the personal time you've put into helping me choose a number.

            Michael Huffman
            Real Estate USA



            Testimonial 493 out of 1727

            I wanted to thank you for your personal attention and immediate response to my request. I figured being a small company and only getting one number, I would have to wait quite a while to get it set up and activated. But that was not the case. I was up and running in one business day. Thanks again for you help.

            Frank Cohen



            Testimonial 915 out of 1727

            Thank you for how you REALLY take care of your customers. I called you all frustrated at something I did not understand and you personally took care of
            all my problems. You made it work for my benefit. Thank you again... and again!!!

            Truthfully,
            -Polly Kristinsson



            Testimonial 1335 out of 1727

            Thank you Bill and Rita for helping wade through the maze of obtaining an 800#. I first called my local carrier and found it expensive, plus they couldn't forward to my cell phone. She was so helpful and informative. My new number was up and running within an half hour!Gourmet Baskets and More

            Thank you again,
            Suzanne

            Suzanne Lorenz
            (877)442-GIFT
            www.GourmetBasketsandMore.com
            "High Quality Gifts that Show you Care"



            Testimonial 615 out of 1727

            This is BY FAR THE BEST solution I've seen in 12 years for quickly, easily, and economically finding a good vanity toll free number that is still available for use! I want to put your website link on our website, so that our small and home business customers NATIONWIDE can use your simple system.

            THANKS!
            Bob Whitaker
            The Daily Plan-It, LLC



            Testimonial 1417 out of 1727

            Being in China recently trying to get a number we where unable to get the order form to come up to pay for the number. I called and talked to Bill and he said don't worry we will hold the number in your name and you can take care if on your return. He did! and must say am very impressed by the great service and the trust he showed in us. Thank you Bill!

            Barney G Ward
            TUIT Inc.



            Testimonial 945 out of 1727

            Our business puts us in contact with a number of service companies, particularly companies in the marketing and advertising field. Rarely if ever have I had the opportunity to work with a company that provides as much sophisticated data prior to an actual purchase. The ease of navigating your site encourages additional purchases.

            Mike Nichter
            Media/Programming Promotional Consultant