Save Big Money On Phone Bills

Nov 10 2008

Published by Dany at 12:18 pm under Software

Save Money - Use Skype

If all the doom and gloom economic forecasts are true, now is the time to take a good hard look at business expenses. Where can you save, what should you dump, where should you expand?

If you are like many small business people, your cell phone is your lifeline. You may be on the phone with clients while you drive, while you shop, while you walk the dog. Maybe you use your phone to check auction listings or sell through rates or the going prices of second hand books on Amazon.

Cell phones become such a normal part of doing business that we just accept the sky high rates as inevitable.

True story: I used to work for a business where employees sitting at their desks would call other employees sitting at their desks in the same building on cell phones, because it was convenient and because reaching for the cell phone was a habit. At the end of every month, this company would waste the better part of one person’s day trying to determine why the cell bill was so high.

For the self-employed, breaking bad habits is not only necessary - it’s rewarding. You’ll see the difference in your bottom line.

SKYPE AND VOIP

With a Skype Unlimited Subscription - which is actually limited to 10,000 minutes (about 167 hours) per month - and a headset, you can call any landline or cell phone number in the USA from your computer. You use your broadband internet connection to bypass the phone company’s charges entirely. If your cell provider or your landline service charges for long distance calls, Skype, at $3.00 per month, will pay for itself almost instantly.

Skype has come a long way since it was a computer to computer chat service. Even if it doesn’t replace your landline phone service entirely (and for many, it just might), it can cut long distance bills to almost zero. You can also call between offices without a complicated PBX phone system. Just install Skype throughout your computer network (even if your network is just the packing room in the garage and the computer you use to list on eBay in the den), add a cheap USB microphone or headset to each PC, and you’ve got instant, free, voice communication.

If you source your products internationally or if you sell to a large international clientele, Skype’s low international calling rates will probably save you money as well.

LOWER YOUR COSTS - NOT YOUR SERVICES

When finances are tight, you need to control costs closely. But now is not the time to cut back on customer service. In fact, now is the time to reach out to your customers in more creative ways. Find ways to promote yourself without spending a bundle. Look for alternatives like Skype to replace some old high-priced habits. And if you find real savings - pass the tip on the your customers. They’ll be glad to know you’re looking out for them.

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