March 16, 2009
Have you ever deleted a voicemail, only to realize that you forgot to write down something important like a phone number or address? Ever cleared your text message inbox before saving the messages you wanted to keep? Do you find it annoying that you have to check your work phone, mobile phone, and home phone messages through separate outlets?
The above issues have probably applied to all of us at one time or another. Google Voice is the Google® solution to those problems. Google Voice is a service that allows you to view written transcripts of your voice mail; creates archives of your text messages; and reroutes calls and texts to different phone lines to one line of your choice.
Google Voice is still new, so the service isn’t open to everyone just yet; however, the impact Google Voice will have on the communication industry is already apparent. Business owners will especially benefit. Think about it: Instead of taking the time to listen to your clients’ voicemails, which can often be long and detailed, you’ll be able to view them all in an easy-to-read text format. Instead of worrying about missing calls to your business phone while you’re on the go, your calls will be directed right to your mobile phone. Google Voice has the potential to increase the efficiency of certain business procedures, as well as make all of our lives just a little more convenient.
For more information on Google Voice, check out https://www.google.com/voice/about.
Leave a Comment » | 
General, Mobile, Small Business, Uncategorized | Tagged: business owner, business owners, business tools, Google Voice, phone service | 
Permalink
Posted by thinklocal
January 28, 2009
Business owners should always try to think from the perspective of their target consumers, especially when determining which advertising channels are most appropriate for their offerings. The example below will explain.
Imagine that you live in Madison, Wisconsin. Today, like most winter days here, it is safe to assume that there will be snow outside – inches and inches of it, piled on your car, your driveway and your sidewalk. Sure, you can throw on a hefty snowsuit and start shoveling. However, if you’ve done this before, you will instantly remember that shoveling your own driveway and sidewalk is a painfully cold and horribly slow process. So instead, you decide that hiring a snowplowing contractor will be the better option.
Now, if you don’t have a snowplowing contractor that you regularly use, then you’ll have to find one quickly. Snowplow contractors who advertise on TV or on the radio are out of luck because you’re smart enough to know that you won’t find the information you need on either medium, at least not within a short period of time. Rather, you’re either going to thumb through your yellow pages or use a local search directory, and in the end, the contractor you choose will be listed in one of these advertising channels.
The moral of the story is: think carefully about where you advertise your business. It’ll make a huge difference.
Leave a Comment » | 
General, Internet Yellow Pages, Local Search, Small Business | Tagged: advertising channels, business owner, Local Search, local search directory | 
Permalink
Posted by thinklocal
January 22, 2009
There’s no denying it. Times are tough. Even the largest, most powerful corporations are suffering as a result of the economic downturn. When these big dogs are suffering, you know that the negative impact on small mom-and-pop shops are tenfold.
Think about the neighborhood ice cream parlor you used to visit with your parents after a long day at the pool or the local diner where you had your first date. These local businesses will most likely become the next casualties of the horrific economy, without your help.
Take the initiative to preserve the businesses in your community by simply choosing to do business with local establishments over large national chains. Encourage your friends to do the same. You can easily find local businesses that offer the products or services you need by searching the ThinkLocal® online business directory. This online business directory is completely free to use.
Want to Be Listed?
If you are a business owner, you can take ownership of or create a business listing in ThinkLocal for free. First, search for your business name. If you find your listing, you can take ownership of the listing by clicking on the ‘Manage this Listing’ button and filling out the provided forms. If you do not find your listing, you can create one from scratch. Just click on the ‘Join Today’ link located at the top-right corner of ThinkLocal.com and complete the forms provided.
Leave a Comment » | 
General, Internet Yellow Pages, Local Search, Small Business | Tagged: business owner, local businesses, local establishments, mom-and-pop shops, shop locally | 
Permalink
Posted by thinklocal
