1. Use a Fax to Email Service

Fax to email can halve your monthly line rental charge! Many businesses have a phone line just for the fax because they require a dedicated fax line that is rarely engaged. It is however engaged when it is receiving a fax. For the dedicated line they are paying around the $34-$39 per month in line rental.

By converting your fax number to a virtual number and then directing it to your email you can ensure it is never engaged. A few other benefits are:

• fax can be received at more than one location.
• fax doesn’t have to be printed
• fax can be forwarded without reducing quality
• fax to email is much cheaper than email.

There are many different pricing models out there but to give you an idea of pricing, Telcotalk offers unlimited fax receiving for $18 per month – around half what you would pay for line rental. You can send faxes the same way, or simply plug you fax machine into a voice line for sending.

2. Using a mobile to call mobiles

With all the mobile cap deals around at the moment, calling a mobile from a mobile has become the cheapest way to call other mobiles. Many businesses are taking this concept a step further and investing in GSM gateways for their phone systems. These are hardware components that allow you to put a sim card into your PABX as a new line.

3. Bundling Internet and Landline

There are many options on the market at the moment where Internet and landline services can be brought to the single provider for a cost benefit.

4. Direct Debit.

In many cases going on direct debit can encourage discounts. If you think about it, if a phone company can spend less resources collecting payments then they are making savings that can be passed on.

5. Billing Methods

Make sure you are on ‘per second billing’. Many companies are offering a great per minute rate, but then billing it in 30 second or 15 second blocks. The effect of a 30 second block billing method is that a 32 second phone call will be charged as if it was a 1 minute call because it has gone into the next 30 second block. More and more phone companies are moving to this method of billing so make sure you ask about it.

6. Fleet Deals

Free calls between mobiles on the one account can save a bundle. Some companies (including Telcotalk) offer fleet between any of their customers. Great for families that don’t want to be on the same account or businesses that work together.

Hope this helps. Yell out if you can need any further information on how to reduce your phone bills.

Till next time…

Related posts:

1. Small Businesses Saving a Buck on Their Phones
2. The Small Office Fax Setup

Call Forward Immediate

All incoming calls can be forwarded immediately to most numbers in Australia by:

Lift handset>*21Phonenumber#>replace handset

To DISABLE call forward immediate:

Lift handset>#21#>replace handset

In each instance there is a recording confirming that the diversion is enabled or disabled.

To check whether call forwarding is on or not:

Lift handset>*#21#listen to announcement>replace handset

In the case of a hardware fault or if you require an Emergency diversion, Telstra can charge a $60 network diversion. They charge this to enable the diversion and disable it. Once the hardware is fixed though, you can disable the diversion from your handset and save the $60 Telstra charge.

If you want to download a PDF with these instructions go to http://www.telcotalk.com.au/downloads/03_call_forward.pdf

Call Forward No Answer

You also have the option of diverting your landline if it is not answered.

To forward all incoming calls when there is no answer

Lift handset>*61Phonenumber#>replace handset

If you want to forward after a set time

Lift handset>*61Phonenumber*number of seconds>replace handset

To DISABLE forward ‘no answer’:

Lift handset>#61#>replace handset

To check if forward no answer is on or not:

Lift handset>*#61#listen to announcement>replace handset

If you want to download a PDF with these instructions go to http://www.telcotalk.com.au/downloads/03_call_forward.pdf

Call Forward Busy

If your landline is busy, you can have it forwarded to most numbers in Australia:

Lift handset>*24Phonenumber#>replace handset

To DISABLE Call Forward Busy:

Lift handset>#24#>replace handset

To check if Call Forward Busy is on or not:

Lift handset>*#24#listen to announcement>replace handset

If you want to download a PDF with these instructions go to http://www.telcotalk.com.au/downloads/03_call_forward.pdf

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1. Word Definitions:

Don’t bother with the dictionary, if you need to quickly look up the definition of a word or phrase, you can  use the “define:” command.

Example: define:telecommunications

2. Site Specific Search

If you are looking for something in particular on a site and they don’t have a search feature built in you can use Google search to  filter through for you. Use the “site:xyzsite.com.au” modifier

Example: “1300 numbers” site:www.telcotalk.com.au

(Telcotalk has a search function)

3. Share Price

Simply enter a valid share code (ticker) into Google’s search field

Example: BHP

4. Calculator

Can’t reach the calculator? Just punch the calculation straight into the Google search field

Example: 39842*3.14

5. Excluded Words

say you want to search for “business Telco” but don’t want to waste your time with Telstra simply place a “-“ sign in front of the term you want to exclude

Example: business telco –telstra

6.  Time Zones

Find out what time it is anywhere in the world by inserting time: place

Example time: New York

7.  Currency Conversion

Enter what you wish to convert into the search field in the following format

Example: 10 australian dollars in US money

8. Find Lyrics

Looking for song  lyrics but can’t remember the words to the song? Use the wild card. Insert “*” where the word is missing

Example : Don’t * Be Happy lyrics  will bring up ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin

9. Specific Documents

If you are looking for a file with your search terms in it, try the “filetype” modifier.

Example “marketing plan” filetype:doc

10. Explicit Phrase

Using double quotes around your search term filters your results more exactly.

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If I get an email to my iPhone and I am too busy (ie. don’t have enough hands) to type a response, I will simply click (touch) on the phone number in the signature and the handset dials the sender for me. Love it! I can deal with the enquiry or issue on the fly.

However recently I have noticed that businesses are getting fancy with their signatures and doing a beautiful graphic at the foot of each email. These look great but guess what? The footsoldiers that are roaming around the country side conducting their business from their smart phone are denied an easy way to call these people back.

It’s hard to ascertain whether or not this is a bad thing for the company producing the graphic or not, but I would think that any strategy you employ that reduces the ease with which someone can call you is not the best move.

Anyway, I’m only one person. Would be interested in some other opinions…feel free to coment.

Till next time

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Many small businesses have a landline and then the obligatory fax line to the side. They do this to ensure that they never miss a fax by showing an engaged tone and this costs them $30 – odd per month in line rental. With the growth in email dependancy, the fax line is getting quieter and all it really is to many is just a spare line.

Fax to email is a great solution to this. For a much smaller monthly fee (depending on volume), you can have your faxes received into your email inbox. Benefits include:

• Fax line is never engaged
• Fax can be received when away
• Fax can be received at different locations (eg. small home based partnerships or staff working from home)
• No need for a dedicated phone line

Fax to email can be setup reasonably easily. You can retain your fax number and Telcotalk can take care of all the details. For more information, give us a call.

Til next time

Related posts:

1. The Small Office Fax Setup

All our ADSL plans can be seen here

The nuts and bolts of the product and some differentiators  include:

• Super fast download and upload speeds
• Business grade service with 99.3% guaranteed up time
• Static IP address included free with all  ADSL 2+ plans with Telcotalk
• Shaped and unshaped plans available

What’s the difference between ADSL1 and ADSL2+

One word – SPEED!

Without getting too technical, ADSL1 is a technology that allows faster data transmission over copper telephone lines by making use of frequecies not used in voice telephone calls. ADSL2+ has the potential to double this frequency, therefore making it possible to achieve theoretical maximum speeds of up to 24 Mbps as opposed to 12 Mbps on ADSL2 and 1.5 Mbps on ADSL1

These advertised speeds are subject to speed drops the further you are away from the exchange, that is why they are called ‘theoretical maximums’.

This is a great product and with availability in 1760 exchanges across Australia, Telcotalk can get you set up on your ADSL2+ plan in no time!

Till next time.

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Every organisation has a network. Telcotalk wants to engage this network and in return provide funds back to the organisation on a monthly basis.

What Type of Organisation?

Any group that provides for the support or development of a group of children is eligible for this initiative. Examples can include:

• Schools – P&F groups
• Kids Sporting Groups
• Scouts/Girl Guide Groups
• Dance Schools
• Church Groups
• Any other children’s activity organisation

How does it work?

Any member of the organisation that is a customer of Telcotalk locks in a donation of 5% of whatever they spend on their phone services each month with Telcotalk. Telcotalk guarantees that their rates will be the same or cheaper than what they are currently paying so the individual will not be disadvantaged at all. However they will be contributing financially to the organisation without having to think about it.

For more information visit Telcotalk for Kids

We are really excited by this. If you would like to speak with someone from Telcotalk about this program, please call 1300 720 591 or email enquiries@telcotalk.com.au

Till next time

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Flip Camera’s are small video cameras that fit in your pocket, similar in size to a mobile phone, but as powerful as a full on camcorder. In fact thats what they are. The video quality is great – HD is available in their range, and they can store up to an hours footage (2GB) on their inbuilt flash drive.

When it’s time to access the video on your computer, at the push of a button a USB plug flips out from the side of the camera and it can plug straight in to your PC or mac. Here’s the best part though. The editing software is in the camera. This means that it doesn’t matter what computer you are on, you have access to an editing suite that you are familiar with and can get your video off the camera and edited as you like, ready for your presentation, for a client or even to directly send to Youtube.

We love them, and can’t rave enough. So much so we’ve decided to give a Flip Mino away to every new customer or every existing customer that wants to agree to a 24 month term on their land line. Full details of the offer and full flip camera specs can be seen here.

If you simply want to buy one outright you can get them from the crew at www.itmadesimple.com

Any questions, please call 1300 720 591 or email flip@telcotalk.com.au

Till next time

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A couple of simple things to keep in mind:

1. Always request the new rates in writing, preferably by email so you have a direct contact with the sales person. Another good idea is to ask the salesperson for their direct line so you can go through your first bill with them. Their response will show you whether they are genuine or not.

2. Don’t be led on by complicated credits. They rarely work and often have large line rentals.

3. All line rentals and plan charges are charged ‘in advance’. This means, depending on what time of the month you start the plan you will most probably see a prorate charge on the first bill. ie. if your line rental is $34.50 and you came on in the middle of the month then your next bill will have a ‘in advance’ charge of $34.50 and a prorate charge of $17.25 (34.50 / 2) for the current month’s usage.

Telcotalk has a free ‘no obligation’ annalysis service where we can advise you and suggest any changes that can benefit your usage. Of course we will always suggest our services but you will not be pressured into using them. Simply fax a copy of a recent bill to 1300 720 561 and we will pull it apart and come up with a better strategy for you. If you are on a good deal already, we’ll confirm it for you and you can move on confidant that you aren’t caught in the fog of the many ’smoke and mirror’ offers that dominate the Australian telco market.

If you would like to discuss this offer, please call 1300 720 591, or email enquiries@telcotalk.com.au and we’ll call you!

Till next time

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Inbound 1300/1800 numbers show your customers how serious you are about your business – its your way of opening the door as they enter…virtually of course! Inbound numbers also provide your business with a vast amount of flexibility and an inbound routing package will ensure you never miss a call.

Inbound numbers are an ideal way of gaining that competitive edge when advertising in local or interstate markets. Imagine if you are looking for a plumber. You might go to the local yellow pages and look up plumbers where you will get a list of plumber’s advertisements. Some contact numbers will be landlines, some will be mobiles , and perhaps an inbound number will be there. As a consumer, who needs a plumber and knows nothing about the plumbers on offer, which number would you pick to call first? My guess would be the inbound number as the business looks bigger and the prospect knows that this call will likely be the cheapest one to make.

Inbound numbers operate as virtual services. Incoming calls are redirected to an existing business land line, fax line or mobile phone anywhere in Australia. The answer point can (but doesn’t have to) vary dependent upon location of originating caller, the time of day the call was made or upon rotation.

Inbound numbers are completely transferable. Your inbound number can last the life of your business, great for future expansion or relocation.

If you would like some more information on Inbound numbers and how they can benefit your business, call Telcotalk on 1300 720 591

Till later

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