Pattern 800 numbers
Have you ever dialed a number and thought as you were dialing it, that it had a nice pattern. Maybe it was all in one column, or row, for example. The only advertising I’ve ever personally seen that mentioned the pattern was AT&T’s dial down the center promotion for 800-CALL-AT&T.
Pattern numbers become memorable from use, not advertising.
Pattern 800 numbers are similar to numeric numbers in some ways. They don’t increase the response rate in advertising, but they can help especially in repeat calling situations. Repeat order situation like a calling card, take out food, or taxis tend to like them because they do become memorable with repetitive use. It’s not easy to explain in advertising how to remember a number but when you figure out a trick like that yourself it can make it very easy to remember someone’s phone number.
They’re Hard to Search for
Pattern numbers are hard to search for just like numeric numbers because you can’t just ask the computer for “pattern” numbers. And even if it knew what you meant by pattern it would be like trying to find all of the listings for someone’s first name in a phone book that lists names by last names. You can check for specific numbers, but you can’t ask it for any combinations of these numbers. It just isn’t set up to do that.
They’re Hard to Market
Pattern numbers are also hard to market because they don’t have a specific target market. They are good for anyone to some degree but that also means they’re most valuable to nobody specific. That means they’re especially hard to market and that you have to use mass appeal markets. You could list it on Ebay for instance. That doesn’t target anyone in particular so it appeals to a wide range of people who might wander through. They may take enough time to look and understand the value too.
What type of patterns do you like or have you found? Row, Columns, diagonals, corners, or shapes for example. Post them here as comments!
Update:
Did you know there are 12,032 number that only use the center column. That means there are a total of 48,128 possible toll free numbers in the four area codes, although 800 and 888s would be the best because for those numbers the area code is also in the center column too. Here’s a great Wall Street Journal article analyzing center dial numbers.
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Larry says:
January 1, 2009 at 7:15 pm
If anyone’s interested I have one of the best possible pattern numbers availabe 888-852-2580. It’s one continuous movement up and down the keypad.
I’ve had it for years and it’s still used to some degree but we might be willing to part with it if someone really wanted it. Call the number and ask for Larry Perkins.
Dilip says:
April 1, 2009 at 4:37 pm
I have 1 877 ….toll-free number to sell. It is easy to remember unused number. Let me know if you are interested to buy.
Thanks.
Dilip
Bill Quimby (678 comments.) says:
April 9, 2009 at 12:25 am
I don’t buy and sell or broker numbers. see http://www.TollFreeNumbers.com/nobroker But if it’s really exceptional or if there’s something interesting then I might be able to mention it and promote it for you.
Bill
Dilip says:
April 9, 2009 at 9:04 am
My number is: 1.877.343 (EID).1234
It can be 343 or can be marketted as EID. EID is holiest religious occassion in Islamic comunity in entire world. Can be good number for phone card company.
Bill Quimby (678 comments.) says:
April 9, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Dilip,
That’s not really a very marketable number. I wouldn’t waste very much time on that. Sorry!
Bill