Читать книгу Start & Run a Creative Services Business - Susan Kirkland - Страница 33

Depending on your location, the type of Internet access you use, and whether there are teenagers in your house, installing an extra phone line with a dedicated phone number might be required. If you use a dial-up connection for your online work, an extra phone line may be a necessity. Don’t be embarrassed about having dial-up instead of broadband. There are 48 million dial-up users in the USA alone. The only drawback is that some online features (like video) will not be accessible. If an extra line for the dial-up is beyond your budget, an easy, low-cost alternative is using digital voice mail provided by most local phone companies to handle incoming calls while you work online. Your calls will be answered before they ever reach your phone, sparing clients a constant busy signal.

If you have online access via a cable modem, wireless T1 or T2 broadband, consider getting rid of your phone line altogether and using an online provider such as Vonage. They supply an adapter box that connects to your modem interface. Plug your phones in and start dialing. You can realize incredible savings by eliminating your phone and long-distance carrier and opting for cable phone service. Current offers include a $40 credit for customers who make referrals plus the same amount in credit for the new customer. The most popular plan in the us offers unlimited nationwide calls and 500 minutes of international long distance for a flat monthly rate that is less than you pay for local service.

Choose your Internet service provider (ISP) according to the type of creative work you do online.

Keep in mind that your cable broadband must be at least 500k to prevent signal falloff, when your party’s voice trails off into the void. If you don’t mind a few empty, extended pauses, try it on your 256k modem. Most of these services will allow you to keep your local phone number or even create a new number with your choice of area code (as long as it is not taken by somebody else). With the advent of deregulation, satellite phone and cable companies are offering lucrative package deals bundling phone, Internet, and television services for a set fee. Keep in mind some companies require a contract while others do not. In the US, visit www.bundlemyservices.com to look for deals.

If you never want to miss a call, a mobile phone is the obvious answer. One scriptwriter I know sleeps, eats, and showers with her cell phone within arm’s reach. Having a cell phone also solves the dilemma of nonbusiness calls competing for telephone time. It’s easy to restrict the use of your cell phone to business calls by only giving the number to clients.

What about facsimiles? Most people use email to send documents these days, but if you deal with clients who are reticent to enter the digital age, you may be required to have a working fax machine. If so, a dedicated line may be the best choice for ease of operation and rapid exchange of hard copies. Let your volume of work determine need.

Choose your Internet service provider (ISP) according to the type of creative work you do online. If you send large files for output in this worldwide market, broadband is definitely worth the expense. Different areas have different services available. There are many options even in rural areas, and the selection is growing. Whether you choose satellite dish access, cable modem access, wireless access, DSL, ISDN, T1 or T2, or dial-up, make sure you choose a reliable server and an isp that meets the demands of your business.

Most service providers experience some glitches as they struggle to keep up with and work out the bugs in the latest technology. That said, don’t let a bad choice make you miserable. Ask professional peers what providers they prefer and be prepared to change yours if it’s less than satisfactory.

If your means of Internet access (e.g., cable) requires a special modem, make sure you shop for it online. My local cable company charges $129.99 for a modem I found online through Yahoo! Shopping for $34. Checking sources online is well worth your time. Another good source is Buy.com, especially for wireless routers.