A Walk Down Memory Lane

virginiad · 05-30-2009, 07:53 AM

Yesterday, I was listening to an audio recording that I had received as part of a solicitation. The man (I'm not sure who he was) was giving a seminar about direct mail marketing. I didn't see anything strange about it, because some marketers are now getting back into direct mail.

Then, he said something to the effect of..."It is now the 90's, and you have to modernize your marketing efforts". That really gave me a start. Then, he went on to tell the audience that they had to get an 800 number to take orders, and a merchant account, so they didn't have to take checks.

That all reminded me that it was not too long ago (OK, I realize that for some of us 15 or so years is most of our lifetimes) that having an 800 number and a merchant account was a big deal.

It made me think of how much has changed in such a short time...

cashcow · 05-30-2009, 08:20 AM

LOL! That just reminded me of back many years ago (more than I care to admit) I sold informational CD's (actually it was before CD's so they were diskettes) on ebay.

Instant digital delivery was not "invented" yet so for each winning bidder I had to put the diskette into an envelope and mail it to them!

Things sure do change fast!

Lee

jjpmarketing · 05-30-2009, 08:20 AM

Don't knock using 800 numbers. They can still be of huge use in this day and age. Old media is not dead... it just isn't used as much as the internet. There are still people that read the local newspaper and would call an 800 number to get info on foreclosed homes and things of that nature. Would be great for CPA offers.

The kicker is technology. Technology has upped the ante by adding recored message responses, and voice mail sent to email addresses and things like that. So 800 numbers are still an option for your marketing efforts. 800 numbers also look business professional and can create instant credibility.

Nowadays they are also affordable. You could probably get an 800 number for less than $10 per month with minutes included each month. Some VOIP services even give you an 800 number for free as part of your service.

Dennis

@Lee

Yeah I remember those. When I got my first taste of IM, those MLM floppies you were being passed around. Just send me $5 and I will send you this floppy disk that will make your rich. Now send that same thing to 5 more people... 1 mailing could make you a millionaire... LMAO.

MattSanti · 05-30-2009, 10:55 AM

A lot of 800 number companies charge a flat rate of say $8.95 a month and then charge by the minute. Not a bad way to go if you don't plan on for heavy usage. Obviously if it'd be an every day thing, then going with someone for a higher monthly charge and less by the minute is the way to go.

JoMo · 05-30-2009, 11:16 AM

With the proliferation of cell phones and email correspondence these days are 800 numbers even worth it anymore?

05-30-2009, 07:53 AM	#1
virginiad HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marlboro, NY Posts: 214 Thanks: 38 Thanked 23 Times in 21 Posts	A Walk Down Memory Lane Yesterday, I was listening to an audio recording that I had received as part of a solicitation. The man (I'm not sure who he was) was giving a seminar about direct mail marketing. I didn't see anything strange about it, because some marketers are now getting back into direct mail. Then, he said something to the effect of..."It is now the 90's, and you have to modernize your marketing efforts". That really gave me a start. Then, he went on to tell the audience that they had to get an 800 number to take orders, and a merchant account, so they didn't have to take checks. That all reminded me that it was not too long ago (OK, I realize that for some of us 15 or so years is most of our lifetimes) that having an 800 number and a merchant account was a big deal. It made me think of how much has changed in such a short time...

05-30-2009, 08:20 AM	#2
cashcow Lee Dobbins War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: , , . Posts: 2,676 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 538 Thanked 730 Times in 518 Posts Social Networking	Re: A Walk Down Memory Lane LOL! That just reminded me of back many years ago (more than I care to admit) I sold informational CD's (actually it was before CD's so they were diskettes) on ebay. Instant digital delivery was not "invented" yet so for each winning bidder I had to put the diskette into an envelope and mail it to them! Things sure do change fast! Lee
	Blog Post: Using Pinterest For Fun And Profit

05-30-2009, 08:20 AM	#3
jjpmarketing Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 1,131 Thanks: 41 Thanked 90 Times in 71 Posts	Re: A Walk Down Memory Lane Don't knock using 800 numbers. They can still be of huge use in this day and age. Old media is not dead... it just isn't used as much as the internet. There are still people that read the local newspaper and would call an 800 number to get info on foreclosed homes and things of that nature. Would be great for CPA offers. The kicker is technology. Technology has upped the ante by adding recored message responses, and voice mail sent to email addresses and things like that. So 800 numbers are still an option for your marketing efforts. 800 numbers also look business professional and can create instant credibility. Nowadays they are also affordable. You could probably get an 800 number for less than $10 per month with minutes included each month. Some VOIP services even give you an 800 number for free as part of your service. Dennis @Lee Yeah I remember those. When I got my first taste of IM, those MLM floppies you were being passed around. Just send me $5 and I will send you this floppy disk that will make your rich. Now send that same thing to 5 more people... 1 mailing could make you a millionaire... LMAO.
	JJP Internet Marketing

05-30-2009, 10:55 AM	#4
MattSanti HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Seattle, Washington, USA Posts: 249 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 11 Thanked 35 Times in 22 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: A Walk Down Memory Lane A lot of 800 number companies charge a flat rate of say $8.95 a month and then charge by the minute. Not a bad way to go if you don't plan on for heavy usage. Obviously if it'd be an every day thing, then going with someone for a higher monthly charge and less by the minute is the way to go.
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05-30-2009, 11:16 AM	#5
JoMo HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 341 Thanks: 34 Thanked 21 Times in 18 Posts	Re: A Walk Down Memory Lane With the proliferation of cell phones and email correspondence these days are 800 numbers even worth it anymore?