Just thought I'd do a quick thread on a few interesting things I've done over the last year to make my business seem "bigger" than it is. I'm also curious if anyone has done anything similar, and how they boost the image of their business.
When I first got started I was seeking to bring a few multi-million dollar companies to get onto our intranet software, but it was hard for a one-man business (at the time) to get respect from large companies around the world. So here's a few things I did when I first started that earned me respect, without lying or being fraudulent.
1) Asia, Europe, and North American Support Numbers: I was taking 100% of product support calls, but I still have separate numbers for all three continents forwarding to one phone number. It costs me $4.00/month to rent these numbers from twilio. Having these numbers on your website is HUGE for image.
2) 24HR Product Support and Virtual Answering Service - I offer 24 hour live chat and phone assistance on our products which is HUGE for your brand. I've received calls in the middle of the night maybe twice (even though I worried about it happening constantly). When callers call, they get our answering service which costs me maybe $5/month and it will forward them to us WITH on-hold music.
3) Virtual Offices in Multiple Cities: I have since moved the business to an office, which does a lot for your image as well in my opinion. But even after doing this, I took out virtual offices (they basically forward your mail) in two other major cities that clients can send cheques to, this is a convenience for clients but does well for brand.
4) Live Chat: I chose to not add a name, but call the chat rep "SUPPORT AGENT". Again people hardly use live product support or sales chat but it has done wonders for our image.
5) Referring to Departments: When I have an issue with a customer's billing, I respond with my billing@ email. Sales goes out from sales@ email, etc. Just a small one but I think helps.
Anyway - those are my main ones. Which do you use?
PS: I know some of you are going to say I should spend less time on this stuff and more on "Execution". I do agree nobody should spend a large amount of time on this - they are just a few extremely easy, cheap, and efficient ways to boost company image in the early days.
When I first got started I was seeking to bring a few multi-million dollar companies to get onto our intranet software, but it was hard for a one-man business (at the time) to get respect from large companies around the world. So here's a few things I did when I first started that earned me respect, without lying or being fraudulent.
1) Asia, Europe, and North American Support Numbers: I was taking 100% of product support calls, but I still have separate numbers for all three continents forwarding to one phone number. It costs me $4.00/month to rent these numbers from twilio. Having these numbers on your website is HUGE for image.
2) 24HR Product Support and Virtual Answering Service - I offer 24 hour live chat and phone assistance on our products which is HUGE for your brand. I've received calls in the middle of the night maybe twice (even though I worried about it happening constantly). When callers call, they get our answering service which costs me maybe $5/month and it will forward them to us WITH on-hold music.
3) Virtual Offices in Multiple Cities: I have since moved the business to an office, which does a lot for your image as well in my opinion. But even after doing this, I took out virtual offices (they basically forward your mail) in two other major cities that clients can send cheques to, this is a convenience for clients but does well for brand.
4) Live Chat: I chose to not add a name, but call the chat rep "SUPPORT AGENT". Again people hardly use live product support or sales chat but it has done wonders for our image.
5) Referring to Departments: When I have an issue with a customer's billing, I respond with my billing@ email. Sales goes out from sales@ email, etc. Just a small one but I think helps.
Anyway - those are my main ones. Which do you use?
PS: I know some of you are going to say I should spend less time on this stuff and more on "Execution". I do agree nobody should spend a large amount of time on this - they are just a few extremely easy, cheap, and efficient ways to boost company image in the early days.
Dislike ads? Become a Fastlane member:
Subscribe today and surround yourself with winners and millionaire mentors, not those broke friends who only want to drink beer and play video games. :-)
Last edited:
Membership Required: Upgrade to Expose Nearly 1,000,000 Posts
Ready to Unleash the Millionaire Entrepreneur in You?
Become a member of the Fastlane Forum, the private community founded by best-selling author and multi-millionaire entrepreneur MJ DeMarco. Since 2007, MJ DeMarco has poured his heart and soul into the Fastlane Forum, helping entrepreneurs reclaim their time, win their financial freedom, and live their best life.
With more than 39,000 posts packed with insights, strategies, and advice, you’re not just a member—you’re stepping into MJ’s inner-circle, a place where you’ll never be left alone.
Become a member and gain immediate access to...
- Active Community: Ever join a community only to find it DEAD? Not at Fastlane! As you can see from our home page, life-changing content is posted dozens of times daily.
- Exclusive Insights: Direct access to MJ DeMarco’s daily contributions and wisdom.
- Powerful Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse group of successful entrepreneurs who can offer mentorship, collaboration, and opportunities.
- Proven Strategies: Learn from the best in the business, with actionable advice and strategies that can accelerate your success.
"You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with the most..."
Who are you surrounding yourself with? Surround yourself with millionaire success. Join Fastlane today!
Join Today
