Why are Businesses opting for VoIP systems?

Over the recent years, you've probably heard lots of talk in the business world about “voice over IP” or quite simply, VoIP. This term is used to describe a phone call made over an internet connection rather than a traditional telephone line. It might sound a bit ahead of our times, but there are many businesses that have transitioned or are planning to transition to this new telecommunication method. So, why are more and more businesses turning to VoIP systems every day? The reasons are numerous!

Businesses Save Money with VoIP

The various processes that come along with VoIP, such as set up, investment, management, and maintenance, are all much more affordable rather than traditional telephone system. Because voice and data are consolidated and move together on a single network, the savings ultimately start there. Because this type of system is easy to maintain and manage, it’s also the more financially sound option.

VoIP Offers More Productivity and Features

Communication is much more manageable and efficient due to the loads of features that VoIP comes along with. There are many features that are only possible over VoIP systems such as user presence, web integration, virtual phone numbers, voicemail transcription for email, and much more.

VoIP Setup is Straightforward

If you ever used a traditional phone system or worked in a setting that utilizes one, then you probably know that it required a phone switch to operate. If you're not familiar with the term, then you probably saw an area in the facility that looked like lots of hardware with cords running in and out of it. This hardware is essentially the control centre for the telephone system, and as you would assume, it requires lots of time and professional assistance to maintain and repair it. VoIP does not require this because the setup is incredibly simple and doesn't require nearly as much hardware or wiring.

VoIP is Backed By Strong Customer Support

Because the VoIP system works over the internet, customer support can be administered via the internet. This defeats the need for a physical professional to travel to the location of the phone system and work on it. These systems can easily be troubleshot with web-based support or via telephone support. Additionally, because the majority of the operations take place in the software of the phone system, it's quite easy to troubleshoot most of the time.

Auto Attendants are Easy to Set Up

Lastly, if you need to set up an automatic menu that queues whenever a caller phones in, this is incredibly easy to do on VoIP. Setting something like this up takes a lot more time and configuration on a traditional telephone system, but this is not so for VoIP lines.

Author Bio: Jonny Grant works with Business VoIP providers Packnet, advising business owners on the right VoIP systems for their business needs. As well as his daily role with Packnet, Jonny is also involved in writing and blogging about VoIP based trends and updates, alongside reviewing the latest calling based apps.

Blogging: 5 Tips to Make Your Blog Work For You

In the last ten years, blogging has evolved. Now, a blog is considered a key marketing component to providing value to current and prospective customers. As a result, blogging has evolved into an art form all its own. Is it any wonder many blog owners find themselves floundering in unfamiliar territory? Here are five tips to make your blog work for you.

Blog Writing Tip 1: Build Blog Engagement

Does your blog resonate with readers? Creating resonance is easy. Offer value. Think about what’s in it for your reader, not what’s in it for you. What’s the pain point for your audience? How can your unique product or experiences help someone else? These are key elements to reaching your audience and making your blog special.

Blog Writing Tip 2: Good Blog Posts Don’t Use Gimmicks

Sensational headlines and cheesy word play only does disservice to your blog if there’s no real substance behind the title. Readers want to be sucked in because they see value in your blog post. Your title is the first and most important way to achieve that. A vague, uninteresting, or misleading blog title will kill reader interest in ten seconds or less.

Blog Writing Tip 3: Don't Ignore SEO

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a blog writer's best friend. Every blog post can and should provide value to readers but why just give it away?

A blog post can do double duty – providing long term SEO value for your website while attracting new visitors who have an interest in your products and providing value to the reader.

If time is money, then SEO insures your time spent blog writing (or paying for blog writing services) is money well spent. Keyword research is an essential part of this. Once created, that focused, timely, keyword-rich blog post is yours forever and can give your website dividends for years to come.

Blog Writing Tip 4: Avoid Too Much Content

Think of Goldilocks - too small, too big, and just right. Creating a 1,000 word blog post is too big and few will read it. Too short and search engines won't index it. Expect to share your message in 300 – 600 concise words. (Search engines require at least 300 words minimum). Use the "just right" number of words to get your message across.

This is not a hard and fast rule as more complicated topics may require more word count. Break complex topics up into multiple articles. Always choose a tightly focused keyword topic and stick to it. Use images to add variety to your content. Too much dense content packed on a page will overwhelm a reader mentally. A few creative minutes with PowerPoint and a picture editor could work wonders. Not to mention all the free images on the internet.

Blog Writing Tip 5: Avoid Posting Too Frequently

Life sure is busy these days, isn’t it? Between work, family, social media, and hobbies, who has time for casual reading online? As it turns out, blogs are an easy way to gain information quickly. Blog posts should be a reasonable number of times to suit your audience size and needs. A good rule of thumb is no more than twice a week and only if your blog post has important information (see blog writing tip #1) to share. Don’t blog for the sake of meeting some self-imposed expectation to do so every Tuesday and Thursday. Value your readers' time and they’ll stick with you long after your first blog post.

Are you overwhelmed by blogging and need more than just five simple blog writing tips? Never fear, our AddressTwo partner provider Charity Kountz of Kountz Marketing Group, has a special offer below just for our readers! 

Charity Kountz is an award winning children's author, freelance writer, and marketing consultant based in Dallas, Texas. She is committed to one simple goal: success for her clients. Connect with her on LinkedIn to learn more or visit her website.

A-scared and Paralyzed

When asked to write about a common business mistake, I immediately started a list of all the things we business owners do - or don't do - that are mistakes. You know that list; you probably play your own version through your head. Things like:

•         We don't follow up with potential clients or properly acknowledge referrals.
•         We don't plan well or stay organized.
•          We don't market enough, with a USP or brand as our focus.

But, to me, the biggest mistake made most often is being a-scared.

 Being a-scared is more than not liking spiders or worrying your skirt 

might be hiked up inappropriately.  A-scared is that made up word 

from my childhood that meant being so frightened it's paralyzing. 

Being a-scared makes it impossible to move forward or even maintain

 a position. It makes you take steps backward and as business owners,

 we let ourselves get a-scared - too often. It looks like this:

• You know you’d get more accomplished if you hired a VA or assistant. Why don't you? Yep - a-scared. You're thinking, "What if I can't pay them? What if I don't have enough to keep them busy and I'm wasting money." So you do nothing.
• You are behind on invoicing and paying your bills. The money is there, you just don't have time to make deposits or write checks. Again, being a-scared prevents you from investing in software or a bookkeeper. You're paralyzed and you add to the six months of paperwork stacked up. You do nothing to improve the situation and are dreading tax time!
• You have a great idea for a marketing campaign. You know it would increase your business. A-scared - squared. You’re afraid it will be so successful that you can't handle it all or, on the other hand, you're afraid it will flop and be a waste of money. So you do nothing.
• Nights are spent staring at the ceiling for hours. Why aren't you sleeping? Yep, a-scared. Too wound up to sleep and too exhausted to make a clear plan or find solutions. Your personal relationships are floundering because of too many hours away. Your home and vehicle need attention and you're avoiding the issues. So what do you do? Nothing, except start the next day exhausted and foggy.

Being a-scared becomes the norm and pretty soon, every day is filled with backward business-killing steps. It's easy to say don't be so afraid. Rational and realistic people know a little fear keeps us from making some ill-advised decisions. But being a-scared can keep us from making any decisions.

So, start by acknowledging you feel a-scared. And then begin with just one decision. It doesn't have to be a big one - just one that will make a change for the better.

Continue to build and pretty soon, you might feel cautious or uncertain, but you won't be a-scared - at least not all the time. You'll consciously know that nothing good- or bad- lasts forever. And, if you make a mistake, just apologize to everyone (and yourself) and try something else.

Remember, if you don't like something, you can change it, you're not a tree - and you don't have to be a-scared.

    Elaine Whitesides