Phone Numbers

So the most important thing that I learned while starting (taking over) my business is to really think about when, where, and how people can contact me.

I got a house phone and I thought that I would want to conduct all of my business in front of my computer and on a real phone.  But I quickly learned that is not how I work.  From not being home between 8-6 for my full time job and not getting all of my voicemails because of some weird static on the line.  Then I work in the studio from 6-10 to work on the trees, I was having a hard time getting back to people.

I had also planned on most people e-mailing me, since that is how I primarily contact the world.  While this has been true for a lot of my larger customers, for my smaller ones they definitely use the phone more often.

Last, I never got a fax number, I’m still on the fence about this, it’s only $3. a month so that is not the problem, but I’ve only been requested for a fax number twice.  I feel like it’s one more thing that isn’t really necessary anymore?

So, this year, I’ve decided to put my cell number (908) 303-9557 on everything.  I’ve started using Hub Spot and Google Drive so I can access everything including all of my orders, order forms, price sheets, and customer contact information right from my phone or tablet while I’m talking to customers.  This lets me see my delivery schedule and while I still can’t always answer my phone while I’m pouring or cleaning greenware, I’ll hear it to know as soon as I’m done with that, I have someone to call back.

Thank you so much for a wonderful 2016, here is to an even better 2017!