I get asked this time and time again. Most people I meet start out wanting a non-geographic number as they feel an 0845 or even an 0800 number looks more professional. This is not always a good thing but does have it’s place.

For local businesses, a local number is always best as you demonstrate instantly that you’re in your target market’s area code. A mobile number can work depending on the type of business but usually best avoided for initial advertising as it suggests you’re on your own and rarely in.

If you deal with small businesses, they tend to call from mobiles due to very good mobile packages with included minutes. Most mobiles are charged for 0800 numbers and most 0845 calls are outside their allowance. A local number however is included no matter where you are in the country. If you’re marketing to the whole country, presumably locality doesn’t matter anyway and potential clients shouldn’t be put off by the fact that you’re based many miles away.

If you deal internationally, the 0845 may not work and the 0800 will not be free (yet you will still be charged for receiving). A local number is still best.

If you are a B2C however and tend not to work with other businesses, an 0800 can get good results. Many consumers still rely on mobile so offering a local number as an alternative on your contact page might help capture those people. Other NGN’s can also work depending on the type of business but with scams appearing left right and centre, any variation of 0845 and even 0845 can lead to a lack of trust. I would advise offering a local number as an alternative on your contact page.

Mostly it’s all pennies when it comes to calling various numbers, but these pennies can make a huge difference as to who calls you.

A mobile number suggests solitary worker, hard to get hold of and never in the ‘office’. If I get through, I know I’ll be able to speak straight to the person I want.

An 0800 number suggests a solid call centre. Free to call from landlines but I wouldn’t want to call when out and about as it will cost me. Might be difficult to speak to a specific person. Not sure where they’re located so can’t pre-think a meeting request. Might have to sit through automated services.

An 0845 number suggests a solid call centre. Will cost me every time I call, might be difficult to speak to someone specifically. Not sure where they’re located so can’t pre-think a meeting request. Might have to sit through automated services.

A landline number (locally) suggests a solid office. Free from my mobile, the person I want to speak to is probably near the phone. Handy as their office is just down the road so before calling, I’ll get a list of dates and times we could meet.

A landline number (non local) suggests a solid office. I know where they are, I may not be able to meet them but I know this before calling. The person I want to speak to is probably near the phone.

As a side point: When printing business cards with your name, ALWAYS include a direct line or mobile, a direct email address and optionally twitter, linkedin, ecademy links.

I have a blog which contains loads of articles about freelance copywriting. But for those of you who are new to the art of copywriting, this blog will focus on giving an introduction to the subject and why it is in such high demand today.

Take a look around you. Every where you look someone is trying to market something to you. Therefore the field of copywriting is large and continues to expand every year.

A way to describe copywriting is putting a creative message in front of a consumer and is based on three fundamental principles:

• When you are writing to a customer, there has to be an involvement between the customer and the seller.
• You must make sure that you explain the rewards as far as when the customer is purchasing a product.
• The final piece is achievement and that is what you as the writer will be focusing on.

Whenever you write copy, you want your readers (the customers) to want a certain product because they will want to gain certain rewards – you know the kind of thing, the product will save them time, money etc. etc. etc.

‘Come on, anyone can write sales stuff…can’t they?’

A lot of people would like to think that true but it’s not. There is a specific niche for copywriters. They are the ones who write messages in such a way that it brings about an interest in a consumer.

There are so many ads out there today so consumers won’t respond unless it is something that specifically interests them. This is why it is more important than ever to have a clear focus when you are writing your copy so that you know which particular niche you’re trying to hit.

There will always be a need for copywriters no matter whether the economy is in a recession or in a boom. Companies must always put out a message to consumers and as long as this demand is needed, copywriters will be in high demand.

Author – Sally Ormond, Briar Copywriting. A professional freelance copywriter with extensive experience B2B and B2C copywriting across all industries.

There have been a number of posts and forum discussion about the value of article writing. Well it’s not a fad – writing articles and marketing with articles is one of the best and fastest ways to market your business.

Don’t believe me? OK then, I’ll prove it. Here are seven ways you can benefit from articles.

1) Articles quickly position you as an expert in your field

Writing articles sets you apart from your competition. You never have to say “Listen to me, I’m an expert!” Your articles do that for you, because articles increase your “expert-ability.”

2) Articles can become an army of 24/7 salespeople

Once you have an article published, especially on the internet, you will achieve a 24 hour, 7 day a week, 365 day a year international sales team working specifically for you and your business.

3) One article can have many uses

In other words, leverage. Just one article can be used as a free report, a newsletter feature, it can become part of an online e-course, part of a book, etc.

4) Articles spread the word about your business and your services

Articles, especially when submitted online have a very long shelf life. They can be picked up by anyone at anytime and anywhere.

5) Marketing articles is simple, easy and inexpensive

It costs you nothing to write an article (apart from your time). It also costs you nothing to have it listed on article directories such as EzineArticles.com. Imagine what it would cost you to pay for that kind of exposure and publicity.

6) Articles can help you build a mailing list

Once you have a few articles out there, prospects will begin to flow in. These will build into a mailing list worth its weight in gold which can be used over and over again.

7) Articles let you stay in touch with clients and sell more products

We know that it can take from 5 to 8 contacts or more for new prospect to be ready to become a client. Articles allow you to stay in touch with prospects and provide them with quality information.

This list of 7 is just the tip of the ice berg. Article writing and article marketing will boost your business. Why not give it a go?

Sally Ormond is a freelance copywriter working with companies across all industries worldwide.

Proofreading is most probably the most boring pastime known to man but it is also the one thing that stands between a letter, email or newsletter of quality and a shoddy piece of marketing that lands itself in the bin.

It is a job that most people avoid like the plague, but proofreading should be seen as (probably) the most vital stage in any marketing push.

When you are writing for a company, excellent proofreading services are vital. And there are three very simple steps you can take to make sure this doesn’t happen to you:

A recent example of this (and in fact the very thing that prompted me to write this) landed on my mat this morning. It was a mail shot from Google offering a free Google Adwords voucher.

As you could imagine my eyes lit up when I saw this – as I began to read their ‘5 reasons to attract more customers with Google Adwords‘ I couldn’t help but stiffle a giggle as I read number 1:

1. You control where you ad is showing – by country, region or town

It may only be a missing ‘r’ but it was amusing to see that even a company as big as Google occasionally make an error.

So what are the three simple steps? Well…

1. Get someone else to proofread for you – The services of a professional proofreader are invaluable. Externally sourcing editing services is money well spent especially when writing direct mail letters or reports that will have a wide readership (please note this Google!).

2. Leave it for a few days – By that I mean that if you have to proofread your own work, put it aside for a day or two and work on something else. That way, when you come to review it you should be able to read it with a fresh pair of eyes.

3. Read backwards – If you read your sentences backwards you will be able to spot mistakes easily as what you are reading will make no sense whatsoever so you will find that you will be looking at each word harder.

Basically if you can make use of external proofreading or editing services, then do so as it will save you pounds in the long run. A new pair of eyes will always be better than the old ones (so to speak). But if you have no choice but to proofread your own work, try one of the techniques above – it might just save your blushes.

Sally Ormond is a freelance copywriter who also offers proofreading and editing to her clients. If you would like more information you can get in touch with her here.

Advertising copywriting is an essential tool that all businesses should be using for their on and off line marketing strategies.

In my ealier post on copywriting services I illustrated this point with the well known example of Kelloggs during the American repression. But it’s not just the fact that you can’t let your advertising and marketing slip when the economic climate becomes gloomy, you also have to ensure that your advertising and marketing copywriting is effective.

Whether you are looking to start a direct mail campaign or concentrate on your online presence, your advertising and marketing copywriting is where you need to start.

When writing you need to follow these 4 simple rules:

1. Shout about the benefits – whether you are writing website copy or direct mail, your copywriting must illustrate the benefits of your product or service to your reader.
2. Unique selling point – there has to be a reason why your reader should choose your product above another one.
3. Speak to them – talk to your reader directly. Use the word ‘you’ freely to build rapport with them.
4. Tell them what they need to do – without a strong call to action your hard work will be wasted.

Your advertising copywriting is the key to your marketing success. Whether it is done in-house or whether you hire the services of a freelance copywriter it is essential that it adheres to the 4 steps outlined above. This list is not exhuastive by any means, but it is a great start to ensure that your marketing is effective.

Sally Ormond of Briar Copywriting is a freelance copywriter who offers a comprehensive range of copywriting services. She has helped companies across all industries by producing compelling, powerful and creative sales copy to increse their sales and market visibility.