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How to choose the best business phone for your small business

Author: Nivethitha Narayanamurthy

In today's hyper-connected business environment, effective communication is the backbone of success. Whether it's fostering seamless collaborations among team members or building strong relationships with customers, having a reliable and efficient business phone system is indispensable. But for small businesses with diverse needs and limited resources, choosing the right business phone system can be a challenging task. In this blog post, we will demystify the process to select the best business phone that aligns with your small business's unique requirements and growth aspirations.

How to choose the best business phone for your small business

In a world of digital transformation, the importance of a reliable business phone for small businesses cannot be overstated. A robust business phone system serves as a lifeline that links businesses to their customers, partners, and prospects. But with an overwhelming range of options on the market, how do you pick the best one for your small business? Here are some key considerations.

1. Understand Your Business Needs

Every business is unique, and so are its communication needs. Before you even start exploring the options, it's important to have a clear understanding of your specific requirements. Do you need a traditional landline system or a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) system? Would you prefer an on-premises PBX (Private Branch Exchange) system or a cloud-based one? Do you need features like call forwarding, auto attendant, conference calling, or video conferencing? Answering these questions will help you narrow down your choices.

2. Evaluate the Cost

Cost is always a major factor, especially for small businesses. The cost of a business phone system can vary greatly, depending on the features and the service provider. When evaluating the cost, don't just consider the upfront expenses, but also factor in the long-term operational costs. Keep in mind that a cheaper option might not always be the best choice if it lacks essential features or if it comes with hidden costs.

3. Consider the Ease of Use

Even the most advanced phone system won't be of much use if your employees find it too complicated. The best business phone system should be user-friendly, with an intuitive interface that doesn't require extensive training to use. It should also be easy to manage, with a convenient web-based portal for administration tasks.

4. Check for Scalability

As a small business, you aim to grow. Therefore, your phone system should be able to grow with you. Choose a system that can be easily scaled up or down, depending on your business needs. You should be able to add or remove lines, adjust plans, or add features as required, without a hassle.

5. Assess the Quality of Customer Support

Quality customer support is crucial, as you don't want to be left in the lurch when a problem arises. Look for a provider that offers 24/7 customer support, with various channels of communication like phone, email, and live chat.

6. Look at the Reviews

Last but not least, always look at the reviews before making a decision. Customer reviews can provide valuable insights into the reliability, performance, and customer service of the provider.

Choosing the best business phone system can seem daunting, but with a clear understanding of your needs and careful consideration of the above factors, you can find a solution that fits your small business perfectly. Remember, the right phone system can enhance your communication, boost your productivity, and contribute to your business growth.

In conclusion, choosing the best business phone for your small business is a significant decision that can impact your operations, customer relationships, and growth. The right system will not only cater to your current communication needs but also evolve with your business. While the vast array of options available might seem overwhelming, by understanding your specific requirements, considering the cost-effectiveness, ease of use, scalability, and customer support quality, and by doing your due diligence with reviews, you can make an informed choice. Remember, the best business phone system for your small business is one that streamlines communication, enhances productivity, and ultimately, propels your business towards its goals. Happy choosing!

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How to secure your business phone number and protect yourself from scammers

Author: Nivethitha Narayanamurthy

As phone scams targeting businesses grow increasingly complex and prevalent, it has never been more critical to take proactive measures in securing your company's phone communications. A secure phone line is essential not only for protecting sensitive information but also for maintaining your business's credibility and reputation. This blog explores a variety of strategies designed to bolster your defenses against phone scams and unwanted calls. Equip your business with the tools and knowledge necessary to stay ahead of evolving threats and ensure secure, trustworthy communications in today's digital landscape.

How to secure your business phone number and protect yourself from scammers

The rising prevalence of phone scams targeting businesses makes it imperative for companies to prioritize the security of their phone numbers and safeguard sensitive information. This extensive guide covers practical and effective measures that can help you protect your business phone number from scammers and ensure secure, reliable communications.

Opt for virtual phone numbers

Utilizing a virtual phone number provides an added layer of security by not being associated with a specific device or SIM card. These numbers can be managed through online platforms, enabling you to screen, block, or route calls with ease. A virtual phone number helps maintain the privacy of your primary business number, reducing the risk of scams and unwanted calls.

Deploy an advanced call screening system

A sophisticated call screening system helps identify and ward off potential scammers. Consider implementing an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system that requires callers to state their name or the purpose of the call before connecting them. This process allows you to assess the legitimacy of the call and decide whether to accept or reject it.

Prioritize employee education and training

Equip your employees with the knowledge and skills to recognize common phone scams, such as impersonations, fake technical support calls, and phishing schemes. Conduct regular training sessions to reinforce best practices and encourage employees to report any suspicious calls immediately. Employees should never share sensitive information over the phone without verifying the caller's identity and authority.

Ensure phone system security and timely updates

Maintaining your phone system, be it a traditional landline or a VoIP service, is crucial for its security. Regularly update the system with the latest security patches and firmware to protect it from vulnerabilities that scammers could exploit for unauthorized access or call eavesdropping.

Take advantage of caller ID and call-blocking tools

Caller ID services can help you identify the source of incoming calls, allowing you to screen out potential scammers. Most phone systems also offer call-blocking features, enabling you to block specific numbers or anonymous callers. Utilize these tools to filter out suspicious calls and protect your business.

Implement strong password policies and multi-factor authentication

Secure your phone system and voicemail with robust, unique passwords and prompt employees to change them periodically. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible, as it adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide multiple forms of identification to access the system, making it harder for scammers to gain unauthorized access.

Monitor call logs and detect suspicious patterns

Regularly review and analyze your business call logs to identify any unusual patterns or call volumes originating from specific numbers or regions. Investigate anomalies and take appropriate action, such as blocking the sources of these calls, to protect your business.

Collaborate with your telecom service provider

Maintain open communication with your phone service provider, informing them of any suspicious calls you receive and requesting additional security features or call-blocking services if necessary. Many providers offer fraud detection and prevention services that can further protect your business.

Establish a clear reporting protocol for suspicious calls

Encourage employees to report any suspicious calls to designated personnel within your organization, as well as to the appropriate authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), or local law enforcement. Sharing information about scams helps combat fraudsters and raises awareness among other businesses about potential threats.

Conclusion

Protecting your business phone number from scammers requires constant vigilance and a proactive approach. By implementing the comprehensive measures outlined in this blog post, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to scams, ensuring secure and reliable business communications.

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How to Provide Exceptional Customer Service with a Personal Touch

Author: Nivethitha Narayanamurthy

Customer service is an essential part of any business, and providing exceptional customer service can make all the difference in a competitive market. One of the key ways to stand out is by making your customer service personal. But what does it really mean to be personal? And how can you ensure that your customer service is not only personalized but exceptional too? So get ready to take your customer service to the next level by adding that personal touch!

It’s typical for businesses to receive the advice, “Make your customer service personal”. But without explanation, how do we know what “personal” means?

What’s so great about personalized customer service, anyway? Does it really help businesses? And if it does, how exactly?

With further probes, it's salient to find out exactly what personalized customer service is all about, what you can do to further personalize your service, and explore how it will help your business stand out from the crowd.

Let’s get personal.

How to provide exceptional customer service with a personal touch.

Many businesses have received the common advice to make their customer service more "personal," but this advice can seem vague and unhelpful without further explanation. Why is personalized customer service so important, and how can businesses achieve it?

In today's highly competitive market, providing exceptional customer service is no longer an option; it's a necessity. Customers have come to expect a high level of service, and businesses that fail to deliver are at risk of losing their customers to their competitors. One way to stand out from the competition is to provide exceptional customer service with a personal touch. In this blog, we will explore what personalized customer service is, why it's important, and how to provide it effectively.

What is Personalized Customer Service?

Personalized customer service involves tailoring your service to the specific needs and preferences of your customers. It's about going above and beyond to create a personalized experience that makes your customers feel valued and appreciated. This can include remembering their names, preferences, and purchase history, as well as providing personalized recommendations and solutions to their problems.

Why is Personalized Customer Service Important?

Personalized customer service can have a significant impact on your business. It helps to build strong relationships with your customers, increasing their loyalty and advocacy for your brand. In fact, according to a study by Accenture, 91% of customers are more likely to shop with brands that recognize, remember, and provide them with relevant offers and recommendations.

Personalized customer service can also help you to stand out from your competitors. It's a way to differentiate your business by providing a unique and memorable experience that your customers won't find anywhere else.

How to Provide Personalized Customer Service?

Know Your Customers

The first step to providing personalized customer service is to know your customers. This involves gathering data on their purchase history, preferences, and behaviors. This can be done through customer surveys, loyalty programs, and customer feedback.

The Art of Remembering Names

One of the simplest ways to provide a personal touch is to remember your customers' names. This shows that you value them as individuals and not just as customers. You can also personalize your interactions by using their names in your communication, such as in emails and phone calls.

Personalized Recommendations

Provide personalized recommendations based on their purchase history and preferences. Use this information to suggest new products and services that they might be interested in. This not only helps to increase sales but also shows that you are paying attention to their needs and preferences.

Be Responsive

Respond to your customer's inquiries and concerns promptly. This shows that you value their time and are committed to providing excellent customer service. Use channels like live chat and social media to provide quick and efficient responses.

Follow Up

After purchase, follow up with your customers to ensure that they are satisfied with their experience. This can be done through email or phone calls. This shows that you value their feedback and are committed to providing excellent service.

In conclusion, providing exceptional customer service with a personal touch can help you to stand out from the competition and build strong relationships with your customers. By knowing your customers, remembering their names, providing personalized recommendations, being responsive, and following up, you can create a personalized experience that will leave a lasting impression on your customers. Remember, in today's competitive market, an exceptional customer service is no longer an option; it's a necessity.

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How to Optimize Your Business Communication with a Conversational Inbox

Author: Nivethitha Narayanamurthy

How to optimize your business communication with a conversational inbox? 

In this blog post, we explore how a conversational inbox can help you optimize your business communication by consolidating all your messages in one place, improving your response time, organizing your messages, streamlining your workflow, and monitoring your performance.

Effective communication is more critical than ever in today's rapidly changing business environment. With the increasing adoption of remote work and digital communication channels, it can be challenging to keep track of all the messages and notifications that flood in from various platforms. That's where a conversational inbox can be a game-changer.

A conversational inbox is a tool that consolidates all of your communication channels in one place. It integrates with various messaging platforms, such as email, social media, chatbots, and SMS, bringing all the messages into a single inbox. Here are some ways a conversational inbox can help optimize your business communication:

Improve Response Time

A significant advantage of a conversational inbox is that it enables you to respond to messages quickly. Rather than switching between different apps and platforms, you can manage all your news from a single inbox. This can significantly improve your response time, crucial for customer satisfaction and sales.

For example, if a customer contacts you via email, and you respond within a few minutes, they are more likely to perceive your business as responsive and dependable. However, if you take several hours to respond, it can lead to frustration and a negative impression of your business. A conversational inbox can help you respond to messages promptly, improving your overall communication and customer satisfaction.

Organize Your Messages

Another advantage of a conversational inbox is that it enables you to organize your messages better. Instead of having multiple inboxes for different platforms, a conversational inbox brings everything together in one place. You can create tags or labels to categorize messages based on priority, topic, or customer type. This can help you stay organized and ensure that you don't miss any important messages.

For instance, if you have a customer service team, you can create tags for different types of customer queries, such as refunds, delivery issues, or product inquiries. This way, your team can quickly identify and prioritize messages that require immediate attention, improving your response time and customer satisfaction.

Streamline Your Workflow

A conversational inbox can also help you streamline your workflow. You can set up automated responses for common queries or FAQs, which can save you time and effort. For example, if a customer contacts you regarding the status of their order, you can set up an automated response that provides them with an update.

Furthermore, you can integrate your conversational inbox with chatbots or AI assistants, which can handle simple queries and free up your team's time. This can help you improve your response time and efficiency, which is crucial for business growth and scalability.

Monitor Your Performance

A conversational inbox can also help you monitor your communication performance. You can track metrics such as response time, message volume, and customer satisfaction, which can provide valuable insights into your business communication. This can help you identify areas for improvement and optimize your communication strategy accordingly.

For instance, if you notice that your response time is slow for a particular platform, you can allocate more resources or change your communication strategy to improve it. Additionally, if you receive negative feedback from customers, you can use it as an opportunity to improve your communication and customer service.

Conclusion

A conversational inbox can be a powerful tool for optimizing your business communication. It allows you to manage all your communication channels in one place, improving your response time, organization, and efficiency. Additionally, it can help you streamline your workflow and monitor your performance, providing valuable insights into your communication strategy. If you want to improve your business communication and stay ahead of the competition, consider investing in a conversational inbox today!

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The Benefits of a Multi-Channel Customer Support Platform

Author: Nivethitha Narayanamurthy

As businesses strive to stay competitive in the digital era, they must meet customers where they are - on various communication channels. A multi-channel customer platform can enable businesses to engage with customers across multiple channels, such as social media, email, and live chat. This not only enhances the customer experience but also drives customer loyalty and increases sales.

Let's dive deeper into the advantages of a multi-channel customer platform and how it can benefit businesses.

Customers are the heartbeat of any business. They are the driving force behind a company's success or failure. As such, businesses need to do everything they can to cater to the needs of their customers. Effective communication and building strong relationships with customers are also essential for businesses to understand their needs and preferences, and provide personalized solutions that exceed their expectations. 

By putting customers at the center of their operations, businesses can establish a loyal customer base and create a competitive advantage that drives long-term success.

In today's digital age, customers want to be able to connect with businesses on their own terms, whenever and wherever they want. This is where multi-channel contact centers come into play. With the increasing number of communication channels available today, it's essential to offer multi-channel customer support to meet the varying preferences of customers.

Multi-channel customer support tools integrate phone, email, social media, SMS, and other communication channels all in one place. By leveraging multiple channels, businesses can provide their customers with a seamless, personalized experience that meets their evolving needs.

One of the primary benefits of multi-channel customer support is that they provide businesses with a single view of their customers. This means that all customer information is stored in one place, regardless of which communication channel they use. This makes it easier for businesses to provide personalized support and improve customer engagement.

In addition, it offers better selling opportunities. By understanding their customers' needs, service providers can make appropriate suggestions that improve marketing services and overall business performance. Furthermore, with access to a customer's history across multiple channels, agents can better satisfy their queries and offer personalized solutions that lead to better outcomes.

Another advantage of the multi-channel tool is its ability to enhance marketing campaigns. By leveraging a multi-channel marketing approach, businesses can reach more prospects and increase their chances of generating leads. When customers interact with a marketing campaign, multi-channel customer support services are available to address their questions and direct them on the right track to the right member.

Perhaps the most significant benefit of multi-channel tools is the superior customer support system they offer. By providing customers with easy access to support via multiple channels, businesses can resolve issues quickly and keep customers happy. This helps to improve customer loyalty and increase ROI.

Why is Multi-Channel Customer Service Important?

Improved Accessibility

The primary advantage of multi-channel customer service is accessibility. Customers can contact businesses through the platform they prefer, whether it's online, by phone, or in person. This ensures that businesses can meet the needs of customers from different demographics and preferences.

Increased Efficiency

By offering multiple channels, businesses can expand their reach to a larger audience, increasing the volume of incoming customers. Customers can easily access businesses through different platforms, making it easier for them to contact and engage with them. This leads to increased efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Consistency is Key

One of the essential factors of multi-channel customer service is consistency. Consistency ensures that customers receive the same quality of service, regardless of the platform they use. If a customer contacts a business through email, they expect the same level of service as if they were to contact the business through a phone call. Consistency builds trust and helps businesses maintain a positive reputation.

Customer Satisfaction

Ultimately, the main goal of customer service is to achieve customer satisfaction. Multi-channel customer service helps businesses achieve this goal by providing customers with a variety of communication channels to choose from. By understanding customer behavior and preferences, businesses can deliver tailored solutions that meet their customers' needs.

Tips for Delivering Multi-Channel Customer Service

Understand Customer Behavior

Before investing in multiple channels, businesses should study customer behavior and preferences. Understanding customer behavior can help businesses identify which channels are worth investing in and expanding.

Choose Channels Wisely

Businesses should offer channels that align with their strengths and capabilities. It's better to excel in a few channels than to offer subpar service on multiple channels. This helps businesses maintain their reputation and ensures that customers receive the best service possible.

Ensure Qualified Resources

Different channels require different skill sets. Businesses should allocate customer service representatives based on their strengths and allocate them to the appropriate channels. Businesses should also look for representatives with the potential to master all channels, so they can adapt to new channels as they become available

In conclusion, multi-channel contact centers are an essential investment for businesses looking to improve customer engagement, enhance marketing campaigns, and provide superior support. By leveraging multiple communication channels, businesses can provide customers with a personalized experience that meets their evolving needs and helps to drive business success.

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3 Problems Real Estate Professionals Encounter in Real Estate Business

Author: Philip Miguel Almero

It’s an understatement to say that running a real estate business is “not easy” because the truth is it requires more than just hard work. Real estate agents have strictly commission-based work, meaning they must sell real properties before earning! In fact, according to Michael Cheng, a Bay Area Real Estate Broker and Developer, 80% fail to be successful in this profession.

Here are three problems Real Estate Professionals encounter in this field of business. And don’t worry, Bling is here to help you deal with them!

Problem #1. Overly Demanding Messages from Clients

Being in the real estate business means you have to deal with many clients, and the reality is some of them can be overly demanding. Some customers are impatient and will want you to reply as quickly as possible or send photos and videos of the properties immediately. Indeed, this can be easy if you only deal with one client, but unfortunately, you’re dealing with hundreds of them.

Problem #2. Mountains of Paperwork

Dealing with properties entails lots of paperwork, and this is an inevitable fact that real estate professionals face every day. If you don’t have file organization, you may risk losing essential documents, which can lead to stressful situations with your clients and tarnish your name as a real estate company.

Problem #3. Deals Getting Clogged

As mentioned, being a real estate agent means your work is strictly commission-based. It is a life-and-death situation for agents to convert leads into customers and, eventually, sales. Without the proper tools to track where your prospects stand can be disadvantageous in securing and ultimately onboarding clients.

Bling’s Solutions:

The good news is, Bling has solutions for these problems you may encounter in the real estate business.

First, what is Bling? Bling is an all-in-one communication software platform where you can manage all your customer communications in one single place. Do you struggle with overly demanding messages from customers? Bling’s All-In-One Communication Platform with Social Media and Business Phone integration ensures it won’t be as overwhelming to answer every client message or call from different platforms because everything is inside Bling!

Also, we understand that, as agents, you have to send many files like contracts, property pictures, and blueprints. Guess what? Bling has a “Multi-Media Messaging Service,” which means you can send images, videos, or attachments to your clients on the platform. And did we also not mention Bling has an iOS app? You read that right! Bling app will ensure you are connected 24/7 and always on the go to manage your clients using our app!

Second, you can quickly gather client information through direct messages with Bling’s Smart and Auto-Populating CRM. Are you having problems accessing client files while on a call with them? With Bling’s “Add Documents” feature, you can directly upload documents to Bling and access them while on a call with the customer. Quick access to essential property documents can come in handy, especially when dealing with impatient customers.

Lastly, you don’t have to worry about not being able to keep track of leads. With Bling’s CRM Pipeline, you can track where your lead stands–which are warm, hot, or cold, and which leads you have already won. Overseeing your customer’s lead status will not only help you see their standing but will also help you see your progress as an agent or a realtor. In a nutshell, Bling’s CRM Pipeline is a great tool to convert your leads into customers and, eventually, revenue.

By the way, Bling can also integrate with 5,000-plus apps with the help of Zapier. Easily automate tasks between apps by assigning commands (no code required) and save time for what matters most!

So let Bling do the job–you will not only deal with these problems quickly but also close deals with clients! Wait no more and Begin your 14-day Free Trial Now!

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Learning the Ropes in EdTech: Why Should You Choose to Be A Part of Online Education?

Author: Ellice Dojillo

EdTech can certainly take you places – not even only as a student but also as a business person. Don’t believe us? Well, we’re laying out all the reasons to convince you right here, right now.

EdTech is the future. Thanks to EdTech, you can now take courses teaching you various skills and knowledge you want to understand and know more about from the comfort of your own home. All you need to do is have a stable internet connection and a working gadget to take courses, and you’re good to go. You can learn anything you would ever want to, anywhere, anytime. It’s a great investment – not only in terms of knowledge but in business as well.

Working or choosing to begin a business rooted in the EdTech industry is a great decision to make, considering how it’s one of the best and trendiest e-commerce ideas to choose as well. So, if you find yourself enjoying being a student of EdTech, why not try to see if you’ll also enjoy being in the business?

In case you’re still hesitating, today we’re bringing you all the reasons why you should try investing in the EdTech industry. Who knows? This blog just might be your sign as well.

Firstly, one reason as to why you should get involved in EdTech now as someone who is more than a student is the increased accessibility to EdTech. As a result of the prices of some smartphones and data becoming lower and more affordable, you are bound to find a really big target audience. You can welcome a great number of leads with completely open arms. 

Another reason is how much more people want to study. Due to the pandemic, more people have realized that they cannot rely solely on their initial skills and that further education is one way to achieve true stability in life. Again, this accounts for a sure and steady flow of customers once you work in EdTech.

A third reason is that you can further explore your own abilities and even learn a lot of things about the sector yourself. EdTech courses often revolve around one-on-one classes. Individualized teaching allows you a lot of space in order to learn about how you can improve your teaching styles and what methods of teaching work best for different students.

Finally, with EdTech (as it is online), you work from the comfort of your own home. As it is an e-commerce business, all transactions and all classes are done online. You don’t have to worry about having to work onsite, considering that your “educational institution” has basically been established online.

We surely hope that with all these reasons, you will feel even more inspired to begin your own.

But of course, managing your EdTech company might not be totally complete without the best business partner you could ask for – Bling! 

Bling has an auto-populating CRM that fills up any Facebook, Instagram, and even Gmail engagement that you get from your wonderful clients. You also won’t have to miss any text or call from your business phone from Bling which you can easily personalize with an area code of your choice.

Absolute bliss, isn’t it? Well, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and try a 14-day free trial right now!

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4 E-Commerce Business Ideas You Should Try Out This 2023

E-commerce is a vast industry with a vast number of possibilities. There are so many things you can choose to sell on the internet, but we’re giving you the four trendiest ideas that are sure to bring you tons of success in this special new year.

You just woke up. You’re stirring yourself a cup of coffee. You’re staring outside of the window, lost in your thoughts, wondering, “Hey, what brilliant thing can I do today to start 2023 off with a bang?” Well, we have just the thing for you: business.

Now, before you go on worrying and getting into beginner jitters, you don’t have to go through so much stress to begin a business. You can start selling and distributing products even without an immensely big amount of money, a physical store, and a bunch of employees. You can start out small, on your own, and online through the wonderful world of e-commerce.

What Exactly is E-commerce?

E-commerce is a very popular word often mentioned literally everywhere. After all, it’s an incredibly big part of today’s society. We feel it a lot, but we barely allow ourselves to have some time to get to know it even more. So then, begs the million-dollar question: what exactly is e-commerce?

Well, e-commerce, for one, is short for electronic commerce. The word “commerce” means the act of buying and selling products or services. If we add the word “electronic” to this now, we’re basically implying that it is the act of buying and selling products or services online. In shorter and simpler words? E-commerce is basically having an online business or buying from online businesses.

Do you buy from Amazon? You’re engaging in e-commerce. Do you tend to order your food from your favorite restaurant’s website or Uber Eats? Then yes, you are once again engaging in e-commerce.

Can You Begin Your Own E-commerce Business?

Yes! If there was this instance where we would have to name the best thing about the e-commerce industry, it’s the fact that any Ordinary Joe or Jane can actually own their own e-commerce business. All you’ll really need is an internet connection and an idea of what you should actually sell to begin. (Oh yeah, and let’s not forget to mention but you’ll also need to buff up your online presence — but don’t worry, we got you covered with that because we wrote a blog about it here.)

If you’re rather dry on ideas at the moment, there’s definitely no pressure. When it comes to starting up your very first e-commerce business, it’s understandable that you would want to be able to do it perfectly right. After all, who wouldn’t, right? But while you’re still trying to figure it out, we’re going to suggest the four trendiest e-commerce ideas we have on our belt.

IDEA #1. Trying Out Your Hand in Writing.

If you’re into writing just as much as I am and do it as a great hobby, why not make some money out of it and sell your content writing services out there? It may seem quite far-fetched that you can get money from writing words, but it’s not too good to be true. This is a real thing. In fact, it’s even one of the best e-commerce businesses and one of the most booming industries out there.

You can begin your content writing services by establishing a website or making your presence known on platforms such as Facebook or even Instagram.

IDEA #2. Joining the Edtech Industry.

Already a teacher or tutor? Or do you feel you have the right knowledge and abilities to offer courses? If so, then you can totally join the edtech industry. With this, it’s true what people say that knowledge is power, because thanks to the edtech industry, it’s now power you can convert into money through the use of online matters.

IDEA #3. Love Fashion? Develop Your Own Clothing Line!

Have you always wanted to be a known fashion designer? Well, you can become one at any time with just one click. Create your clothes and post them online. Fashion, of course, never becomes something that goes away. Surely, with your talents and abilities, your clothing business which you will establish online, will never go away.

IDEA #4. Sell Your Amazing Food Online.

The pandemic out there really made us realize a lot of things — such as how crucial food e-commerce businesses are and that much like fashion, food businesses (and, well, more emphasis on food businesses, really) won’t become obsolete.

While the pandemic is near to a close, though, it’s certainly not too late to have a food business online, especially if you can’t afford to buy your own space or even a food truck. Go ahead and try this out!

And surely, with these amazing ideas, you can certainly know for sure that tons of customers will come flocking to your door. And when they do, dealing with the volume of customers and trying to maintain the quality of your business can become a hassle. Go ahead and prevent this before it becomes seemingly impossible by partnering with Bling!

Bling is a business-friendly platform that is ready to cater to all of your needs. If you get engagements from Facebook, Instagram, or even Gmail, you can get to see all of them on this amazing auto-populating CRM (one of Bling’s best features!). You can also easily see any text and call that goes your way, and you’ll never have to miss them ever thanks to the personalized business phone that Bling has in store for you.

Isn’t it all exciting? Open up even more possibilities through Bling. Start Bling-ing and try your 14-day free trial now!

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The Struggle is Real: Financial Advisor Problems and How to Solve Them

It’s 2023, and everyone’s embarking on a new era in finance.

When it comes to threading new land in money matters, financial advisors have the most advantage as they are our trusted captains taking us towards our desired destination — the place of financial success and security. However, that isn’t to say that they never face struggles on the way there.

As a financial advisor, while you may be trusting in your skills, you also surely know that there are difficult aspects you will have to go through in order to truly be that confident money compass for various people who are not exactly sure which direction to take when taking care of their finances.

In this blog, we’ll be going through the exact struggles that financial advisors experience, and if you’re going through these problems, we’re presenting ways to solve them so that you can fearlessly take the lead and cross the finish line to success together with your clients.

STRUGGLE #1: Money Expectations vs. Reality.

We’re in an era where everything comes instantly — or at least an era where everybody wishes everything comes instantly. One of those things? Well, it’s money.

It’s certainly no question that when people invest in something, they want that investment to become twice, thrice, or even four times as much when it returns to them. It’s a big expectation, and as much as we would want to be optimistic and say that any dream can come true, such expectations just do not seem to be cut out well for reality. Often though, clients are not able to understand this and can put the blame on the advisors.

Solution? Instill Trust In Your Clients.

As a financial advisor, it’s important to be able to make your portfolio stacked with impressive qualifications and experience so that you can really get to show your clients that you have superb knowledge and that they should be able to trust you. Furthermore, carry yourself well and speak with consistency so that your clients can really tell that you really know how to apply your knowledge.

Remember that you are basically selling your knowledge to your clients, and you need to make sure that you can provide them with as much evidence as possible that you are skilled. Products that are shown to clearly be good are usually the ones that are seeked the most.

If having great skills and really showing that you are great at what you can do still doesn’t work, then you will need to take deep breaths and lengthen your understanding.

Note that this could happen because it is human nature for us to overestimate reality and expect more things even when we know that this probably is something that isn’t likely to happen. Be kind towards your clients and practice great empathy towards them. Remember that that’s why they hired you — so that you can help them understand finance more.

STRUGGLE #2. Going Through Heaps of Information.

Being a financial advisor means having to advise and teach your clients how to make the best decisions with their money so that they never really lose them but instead multiply them.

As a result, besides how you shouldn’t stop believing, you also shouldn’t stop learning. You should always be up on your toes to any information or update that comes in the financial world so you can effectively advise your clients. Although, of course, it isn’t always so easy, especially when a rush of news reports about the current state of finance comes through. Keeping up on your toes with everything can begin to hurt, and you may begin to break down. By then, what should you do?

Solution? Organize Your Information.

So that you wouldn’t be so overwhelmed with everything, you should firstly take a few deep breaths and then pull up Notion (make an account if you haven’t yet) or OneNote. Through these platforms, you can be able to effectively categorize your information using colors or other designs you see fit. You can also even easily hyperlink them.

Organizing important material can help you effectively study and understand them so that you can do the best in your job.

In fact, organizing is absolutely helpful in just about anything. Learn here how else you can implement organization in your success story so that you can eventually get to financialize.

STRUGGLE #3. Actually Being Able to Get Clients in the First Place.

In the financial advisor industry, being able to get a sea of clients can be an immensely difficult thing. In order to really deliver your services, you need to be able to have great connections, but what if you’re just starting out and you haven’t really established those kinds of connections?

Solution? Market, Market, Market.

When you don’t have the best connections yet, digital marketing is the handiest tool. Get yourself known through viral videos, ads, or even aesthetic feeds on your various social media platforms (like Facebook and Instagram).

Once you consistently market yourself, you are sure to be able to receive more clients than expected. And as you do, just like the information that you’ll need to study, sorting through your clients can be a very difficult task. That can all be easily managed and organized so that you never miss an opportunity through Bling!

Bling is the best business partner that anyone could ask for. Bling has an auto-populated CRM that fills up any Facebook, Instagram, and even Gmail engagement that you get from your wonderful clients. You also won’t have to miss any text or call from your business phone from Bling which you can easily personalize with an area code of your choice.

Absolute bliss, isn’t it? Well, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and try a 14-day free trial right now!

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Starting from the Bottom to the Top: Opening Your Own Digital Marketing Agency

Author: Ellice Dojillo

Eyeing owning and opening up your own successful digital marketing agency but not sure exactly how to start it up? Read closely as we give you the best keys, tips, and secrets to doing so!

Digital marketing helps connect businesses with their target audience. When businesses continuously cultivate their relationship with their audience, they are more likely to get more customers, and when businesses do indeed get more customers, the more chances of success they get. This cycle definitely shows how powerful digital marketing exactly is. In fact, a 2021 CMO Survey has displayed that 77.4% of businesses invest in digital marketing, which makes digital marketing a great career and even a business choice to put up.

If you’re one of those people with that train of thought and have come here to find out exactly how you can begin building your agency, well, then you’ve made the right choice, and you have certainly come to the right place. Here are the following steps you can take to get your digital marketing up and ready:

Step #1: Get that Experience in Freelance and Make Connections!

When building a business (or, in fact, just about anything), it’s best not to rush things. Take things slow and build yourself up first. Aside from working for corporate offices directly, try venturing through the world of freelance. You can be able to build the best connections from there and eventually direct the clients you were able to meet during your time as a freelancer to the company that you’re starting up.

Step #2: Build Up Your Portfolio!

Aside from building up your business, you should also be building up your portfolio, which is something you can do during your time as a freelancer or as an employee expanding your experience across various companies.

Keep learning new skills that center on digital marketing, provide high-quality samples of your work, and showcase all your achievements. Organize them well into a portfolio, either an online website or a PDF document. Make sure that they’re good to the eyes because the presence of aestheticism is significant when it comes to convincing people to hire you to work for them.

Step #3: Begin Plotting Your Digital Marketing Agency’s Business Plan.

Business plans are very essential. Aside from the sense that they provide structure, they also help to provide investors with confidence and assurance that your business will be a hit and that they won’t get an intense loss from their investment in you. If you aren’t sure how to start writing your business plan, there’s no need to stress out. You can check out all the details on a blog we wrote here.

Step #4: Use Your Own Marketing Skills to Level Up Your Agency.

As an experienced digital marketer, there’s no better person to know how to level up your agency than you! Roll up your sleeves, open up your laptop, and start getting to work. Apply all that knowledge you have collected throughout the years, or keep on learning through a couple of courses here and there if you still want to improve. After all, there is always room for improvement.

Once you apply all these steps and really get your digital marketing agency business going, come back to us here and subscribe to Bling!

Bling is a business-friendly and business-first platform wherein you can be able to easily see your customers’ messages and interactions, whether it be through Facebook, Instagram, Gmail, or even text and call. You can respond quickly and never have to miss any of these as they swiftly get organized through Bling’s auto-populating CRM.

Managing your customers has surely never been this easy and seamless. You can be sure that when you have Bling as your business partner, your customers will always have a smile on their faces, and you can most definitely guarantee that more people will be rushing in to avail of your services!

With Bling, you can be sure that the possibilities are endless. So, what are you waiting for? Start Blinging by availing your 14-day free trial!

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Making Marketing Manageable: What Insurance Agents Need to Know About the Ups and Downs of Marketing

Author: Ellice Dojillo

Cross out marketing as one of your problems as we break it down and make it easy for you!

Insurance agents and companies deal with a whole plethora of issues — but certainly none too difficult to handle. Well, except for marketing, at least.

It’s a well-known issue (although certainly not a new one) that marketing can be a little difficult to deal with, especially within the insurance industry. If you’re an insurance agent or someone who knows an insurance company and is reading this right now while dealing with the same problem, well, we’re here to tell you that you can definitely check marketing off your list because we’re about to give you the break down on the marketing strategies you can use for your business to completely soar.

Before we understand how to solve such a problem, though, let’s dissect and understand first why marketing can be such the hassle it is known to be within the insurance industry.

Issue #1: The Search for New Customers.

When it comes to selling insurance, one of the biggest problems agents deal with is searching for new leads which they could then convert to becoming their customers. The main reason for this is that many people nowadays question the need for insurance (especially life insurance), particularly people from the Millennial or Generation Z generations. And why do they question this need? Well, a Bloomberg article states that this is because thanks to the most recent events that have occurred in our lives (the pandemic, for instance), people have come to the belief that insurance doesn’t necessarily and automatically equate to financial security.

This can be an extremely tough hurdle, considering that if you don’t know how to sell or let alone find new customers, your insurance agency or your work as an insurance agent would be in hot water. So, in this case, how do you deal with such a problem?

Solution: Fostering Human Connection & Education by Moving in Modern Ways.

Although it may seem that insurance doesn’t have a place in this modern world, it’s actually still incredibly important and it’s simply something that the world needs to be reminded of.

According to various studies, experts have observed that the Millennial and Generation Z generations prioritize doing business through various digital channels and in a place where they could easily access people or articles that could help educate them further on the topic at hand. With this information, what exactly can you do to convince them to get insurance from you?

Well, you can start with omnichannel marketing which is a very effective marketing strategy that mainly puts the customer as the star of the show. In other words, you’ll be marketing across different platforms with your customers in your mind first. Omnichannel marketing is an effective way to get your business out there, especially if you’re just starting out.

Through omnichannel marketing, you can engage with your customers on platforms like Facebook and Instagram at the same time by posting educational infographics or videos explaining why (for instance) specific types of insurance are important regardless of their age or lifestyle.

Issue #2: Networking Blues.

Networking is incredibly important in being an insurance agent because building connections is one of the main ways insurance agents can get more clients. And this is the tricky part because, certainly, networking isn’t a walk in the park.

Solution: Keeping Yourself Organized.

As an insurance agent, networking also means constantly having to be able to keep up with appointments as you’ll have to meet with your possible future clients or people who can give you your future clients. By keeping yourself organized, you’re also setting yourself on the road to success.

Issue #3. Problems with Small-Scale Tech in Insurance.

If you just became an insurance agent or if you’re handling a startup insurance company, it’s completely understandable to be worried that you might not have the right technology in the long run when it comes to organizing the customers you have and the ones that you will be having. What can you do in this case?

Solution: Partner Up With Bling, the Best Business Partner You Can Have!

It’s time that you consider Bling! Bling is a business-friendly platform that has been designed to be the best business partner you can ask for! You never have to worry about missing a single call ever again because Bling has an easy-to-use business phone that comes with amazing features such as an auto-text responder. Additionally, the phone puts all those who are calling you in a queue so that you don’t have to miss a lead all because you’re in the middle of talking to another one. And best of all, you can personalize your business phone with an area code of your choice. And if you’re thinking that you might not get to use this because you already have a business phone of your own, you’ll have to think again because you can actually transfer the business phone number you’re already using onto Bling.

The same goes with CRM! You can easily upload your own CRM on the Bling platform as a .csv file so you can also get your own taste of the amazing features Bling has set just for you, such as an auto-populating CRM with Facebook, Instagram, and Gmail integrations. Furthermore, with the CRM, you can maintain your clients’ records and attach multiple files or documents to their profiles on your CRM.

Sounds great, doesn’t it? Yes, with Bling, life (particularly your business life) can get much better. Conduct your business like never before by starting up your 14-day trial now!

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Be Faster than The Flash in Securing Customers with Quick Replies!

Author: Ellice Dojillo

Bling is ready to power you up with another brand new superpower: the ability to quickly reply to your customers so that you never let them down!

Did you know that you could be spending around 1 to 5 minutes typing a typical message? It may not sound like a lot, but it actually is, especially when you count the big amount of customers you’ll have to send messages to. Imagine if you have 100 customers suddenly inquiring about the same things. You’d be spending 1 and a half to 8 hours just answering all these customers. That’s a lot of time wherein you could have been doing so much more.

This truly is an eye-opener, and you may be alarmed by the situation at hand, but don’t you worry because Bling is more than prepared to equip you with a brand new superpower that will have you saving time, money, and your success!

Presenting the Quick Replies! Follow the three steps below so you can use this brand-new feature and be faster than The Flash in securing your customers!

STEP #1. Add All the Accounts Your Business Has On Social Logins.

In the Social Logins portion of your account’s main menu, add all the accounts your business has, whether it be Facebook, Instagram, or Gmail, if you haven’t already. After you add the accounts, you’re a step closer to getting to use the Quick Replies feature!

STEP #2: Click on “Add Messages.”

After you add all your accounts, an “Add Messages” option will appear where the “Add Account” option once was. You can go ahead and click this. Once you do, a pop-up of “Quick Replies” will appear.

Note that the quick replies you will customize are for the specific platform to which you clicked the “Add Messages” option. For instance, if you click the “Add Messages” option across the Instagram icon, then those quick replies will be for Instagram.

STEP #3: Customize the Quick Replies to Your Heart’s Content!

You can now be able to customize the quick replies. You can click on the pencil icon across one of the quick replies to edit that specific response. You can also add more quick replies by inputting the “Display Name” (the subject of the message) and “Message�� in the given spaces.

Easy, right? Be quicker than ever before by using Quick Replies! Check out the video below to learn more!

If you have any more questions, feel free to message us at help@bling.cloud. We’d be thrilled to assist you!

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Everything You Need to Know About Bling’s Business Phone

Author: Ellice Dojillo

Bling’s Business Phone has a ton of features guaranteed to make your business shine with your customers.

Bling is a business-friendly platform that is ready to prioritize your business needs. It’s a platform with an auto-populating CRM with social media integrations and business phone in one!

Today, let’s take a look at all the features you can get through Bling’s business phone!

FEATURE #1: Unlimited Calls & Texts (Throughout the United States and Canada) and Call Recordings

You don’t have to have any more worries when it comes to paying extra just to call and text your customers and make sure they receive the best service from you. When it comes to Bling’s Business Phone, you’ll be able to have unlimited calls and texts, making your communication with your customers seamless.

Plus, you don’t have to count the number of call recordings you’ll be able to make either because Bling makes it possible to deliver you an unlimited chance to download, so you could back up all those calls you have had with your customers as much as you want.

FEATURE #2: Choose Your Own Phone Number and Area Code Within the United States and Canada

Bling also gives you the opportunity to personalize your very own business phone number, including with you choosing the area code and everything, so that you can make sure that the calls transmit well to your customers and that your customers will most definitely take the call.

FEATURE #3: Customized Auto-Text Responder Message, Welcome Greeting, & Voicemail

Forget about losing customers ever again with Bling’s auto-text responder message feature. The feature enables Bling to send an automated text to your customers in case you missed a call and were completely unable to take it or the call suddenly gets disconnected for any reason. This feature can be customized along with the welcome greeting and the voicemail.

FEATURE #4. Set Up Your Business Hours

Know your boundaries by setting up your business’ working hours on your business phone in your Bling account. Any call that calls your business beyond these hours you have set will be automatically sent to voicemail (which you can customize yourself)!

FEATURE #5: Call Queuing and Live Call Transfer Capability

Even when you’re on a live call with a customer, you’ll never have to miss all those other customers calling you simultaneously. They all get sent to a queue that you can monitor. You can also choose from any of the customers who you will prioritize first.

As for the live call transfer, with this feature, you will be able to easily transfer the live call you are on to any other department in your business. The live call transfer feature can also allow you to create a multi-people conference.

FEATURE #6: Click-to-Call (Chrome Extension) 

The Click-to-Call chrome extension enables you to call anyone with a single click easily. Just simply download the extension, then log in to your Bling account. Once you do, you can now easily use it. Just highlight any phone number within Google Chrome, then click this extension. After that, you’ll automatically be on that call!

You can start downloading the Click-to-Call chrome extension by clicking here!

FEATURE #7: An Interactive Voice Response (IVR)

The Interactive Voice Response or IVR is a function that will let your customers speak to the specific department they would want to. For example, the IVR will tell them to “Press 1” if they want to speak to the Sales Department; “Press 2” if they want to get their order status; and so on and so forth. Meanwhile, the functions of pressing 0 and 9 will allow your customers to listen to all the options again and leave you a voicemail, respectively.

FEATURE #8: Bling for Teams

Bling is also a collaborative tool wherein you can connect the accounts of your company’s different branches or your different businesses on one platform! Each account can have its own business phone assigned. 

And with you, as the owner, handling the Super Admin account, you have the ability to look at all the accounts for each of your company’s branches or businesses. Note, however, that it doesn’t work the other way around. Although, as the Super Admin, you can see everything, other users will only be able to see what is within their scope.

With all of that said, aren’t all the features of Bling amazing? Well, what are you waiting for? See wonders happen to your business relationships with your customers by starting your free trial with Bling now – no credit card required!

And, in case you already have a business phone on another platform, you don’t have to worry because you can easily transfer your number onto Bling. Go ahead and port your number today!

Never miss this chance of getting your hands on Bling’s business phone, especially since the major point that sets Bling apart from other VOIPs is that you can use a business phone and CRM with various social media integrations (such as Facebook, Instagram, Gmail, etc.) on one platform. You won’t need to have to switch through different apps or programs. With Bling, everything is completely flawless and worth it. Check out what we mean!