How To Use Vanity Number To Triple Your Income!

Vanity Numbers are easy to remember numbers used by companies to give their marketing an extra edge. You probably have heard of 1-800-FLOWERS and 1-800-Rent-A-Car. These are perfect examples of excellent Vanity Numbers . 1-800-FLOWERS is for online florist company. They tied their name, domain name, and phone number to the same phrase (1-800-Flowers) and turned their number into a successful brand. The 1-800-Rent-A-Car number is for Enterprise Rent a Car. If you are in an airport and need to rent a car but can not find a car rental, you could dial that number and get in touch with Enterprise.

Unlike popular belief, Vanity Numbers do not have to be a toll free phone numbers such as 800, 866, or 877. They can be a local phone number. There is always a debate weather you should use a toll free or local phone number in your marketing. My personal belief is that if you work in a small town and you want to establish yourself as the local or go-to company, then you want a local number. If on the other hand you want to establish yourself and your company as a national or bigger company, then go with the 800 number. Of course you could always use an 800 number and add in small print the word "local" under the 800 portion of the number or state "We are local!"

Another concern raised is that trying to figure out the numbers associated with the letters is difficult. While this is true, you need to evaluate weather you want your customers to remember your phone number, or remember your company name and look you up every time they want to call you. It also establish a connection between your marketing pieces where people find it easier to associate words than numbers, and will recognize a vanity number more so than random numbers.

Good Vanity Number Means More Leads…

So what is a good vanity number? Like I said, a vanity number is a number that is easy to remember. That does not mean it has to be a spelled word(s) such as 1-800-FLOWERS, it could just be a numeric phone number. For example if you visit San Antonio TX and wanted to order a cab, you just dial 210-222-2222 or 210-777-7777. Both numbers belong to Cab companies. I hardly ever lookup a cab company, I just dial one of these numbers and order a cab. Notice now they do not spell the name of the company or service they offer, yet these numbers are memorable. Can you imagine how many other cab companies did not get business because of these two cab company numbers?

You may argue that it is not like people in Real Estate will be calling you so often to so there is no need for a vanity number. However, if you use Bandit Signs, Magnetic Sign, or more than one type of marketing, a vanity number will be easier to associate and tie in your message across the marketing medias and help establish a brand in the eyes of the prospects.

If you are going to use a phone number, then do use a vanity number.

Here are some good choices for phone numbers.

X – Represents a random number.
Y – Represents a specific number, repeat Ys means the same number repeated. for example, (XXX) YYY-0000 means (210) 555-0000
Z – Represents a specific number different from Y, repeat Zs means the same number repeated. for example, (XXX) YYY-Z000 means (210) 555-4000

• (XXX) YYY-YYYY – example (210) 555-5555
• (XXX) YYY-0000 – example (210) 444-0000
• (XXX) YYY-Z000 – example (210) 777-2000
• (XXX) YYY-ZZZZ – example (210) 888-3333
• (XXX) YYY-Z0Z0 – example (210) 333-1010
• (XXX) Y00-Y000 – example (210) 200-2000

The Word based vanity numbers should describe your service and not your company name. It is easier to associate a number with a service needed than having to remember what a company name is for. For example 1-800-SELL2DAY or 1-800-CASH4HOMES. If you are going to use words in your vaniy number, then spell out a word or it loses its meaning. For example, use QUICK not QUIK or some variation variation.

There are other examples, but the point is made. You want a number that is easy for people to remember and to call.

Where to get the numbers from

There are companies that have purchased toll free vanity numbers and license them out based on geographic location. This allows more than one company to have the same phone number but the call get routed to the right company based on the caller’s location. This is an option, although I do not like leased numbers because you may lose the rights to that number one day, and with it your number’s brand. You could also look for one that is not taken and purchase it yourself. To find one, there are companies (AT&T is one) that lets you search for a nice number to purchase or lease. 800 numbers could be pricy however.

Local phone numbers are trickier since they are governed by the phone company and each company has its own way of assigning numbers. When I called Vonage, they said their numbers are randomly assigned and they cannot give me or help me find a marketing number.  I then checked with AT&T (SBC before it was renamed) and the process was much simpler. I simply asked the nice lady for a marketing phone number and she provided me with options. You could always ask the phone company if they have one of the above structures for example "do you have one that ends with four zeros?" and so on.

An alternative would be to pick up the phone and calls the numbers you like and if no one answers, check if it is available for you to purchase. If someone answers, ask them if they would sell it. Tell them you would pay all the fees to transfer this phone and activate a new phone for them.

But… Does this mean I have to have a dedicated phone line?

Well maybe. Again it depends on the local phone company. AT&T here offers Forward only service where you do not get a physical line, just a permanently forwarded phone number to another existing number or line. I am not sure if all companies offer that, I know AT&T does for $6/month.

An alternative is to get a permanent phone line and forward the phone to wherever you like. I opted for this option because this allows me to transfer my line anytime I like to anywhere I like. Besides, I was getting a fax line in as well so matter as well hookup two lines versus one. If you plan on forwarding the line,  DO ask them if they have a service that would allow multiple forwardings at the same time. The regular forwarding service you get by defaultforwards one call and the rest of the incoming calls will get busy signal.

Hope this helps and happy marketing!

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© 2008 Fadi Zeidan's Articles.