Where to Advertise a 900 Number

advanced34    900 Numbers     900 number advertising

by Anthony Wayne

For an entrepreneur offering a 900 number service, it can be frustrating to find media outlets where you can promote your 900 number.  This is true even if you have a background in media or media buying.  Some mediums simply won’t accept any 900 number advertisements.

Horse racing tips is a popular 900 number category.

In most cases, mainstream media outlets will require 900 number advertisers to pay in advance.  This is because most media consider 900 numbers to be direct response and getting credit for a direct response program is often difficult.

In other cases, some media will have an inflated rate card for 900 number advertising.  While this is not as common as it used to be, it’s always important to negotiate a volume commitment to obtain the best advertising rates.

900 Numbers are Direct Response

The key to advertising a 900 number is to remember that it is direct response advertising.  Consumers won’t write the number down and call in tomorrow.  They will call in immediately upon seeing, hearing, or reading the advertisement. 

“I always tell people that if they get 70 cents back on the dollar, we can probably do some things to help tweak the program, the price, or the advertising to make the program profitable,” said Bob Bentz, a veteran of 21 years in the 900 number industry and the author of the best selling book ever on the 900 number industry.  “But, if they only return 30 cents on the dollar, then they either don’t have the right medium or they don’t have the right program for that medium.”

It’s precisely the direct response element that makes the 900 number business so attractive.  “You should never lose a lot of money on a 900 number,” said Bentz.  “The advertising either works or it doesn’t.  If it doesn’t work, try another program.  You’ll eventually find the winning formula.”

900 Number Advertising Resources

There are several resources available for the 900 number entrepreneur that allow you to more effectively place your advertising.  Just be sure to obtain tear sheets from all

Psychic 900 numbers are making a comeback.

media to make sure that your advertising did indeed run properly.

Here are some of those resources:

• Classified Club
• MPower Media – cable TV ads
• Nationwide Advertising — newspaper ads
• Radio Direct
• VizAds — newspaper ads by state

(Advanced Telecom Services does not endorse any of these companies; they are merely placed here as potential vendors for your consideration.)

You may also wish to contact an advertising agency with experience in the business of 900 numbers as this will be integral to your potential success.  Charter Media Group of Rhode Island is one such agency you may want to consider.

Vintage ATT 900 Number Promotion

advanced34    900 Numbers, Cool Stuff, IVR     900 Numbers, AT&T 900 numbers, history of 900 numbers

For those of you who have been in the 900 number industry for a while, this is an interesting promotional video that we found.  It is from back in the day when AT&T was promoting 900 numbers for everything, including information on how to make your plants grow better.

If you are into the 900 number industry, this is interesting reading about the History of 900 Numbers. This video from AT&T 900 is just one part of that history.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgHlvh5lMtk&hl=en_US&fs=1&]

Search in Real Time

txtlover1    Internet Marketing, mobile marketing     Bob Bentz, mobile marketing, real time search

Real time search is changing the way that people will find results in the search engines. 

Advanced Telecom Services’ Bob Bentz is quoted in this article about real time search and its effect on mobile marketing product 84444.com.

Text Message Voting Chooses British Olympic Ski Team Goggles

advanced34    Company News, Cool Stuff, mobile marketing, Telemedia, Text Messaging, United Kingdom     2010 Vancouver Olympics, Adidas, Advanced Telecom Services., British ski team, mobile marketing, Olympic ski team, premium sms, text message voting

In just a month, the sports world will come together in Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.  And,

Text messe voting will choose the ski goggles for British ski team.

Advanced Telecom Services will be there.

Well, in a way.

Advanced Telecom Services has been chosen as the service bureau for the Adidas Olympic Ski Goggles Design contest.  This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for designers around the world.

Designers are able to customize a pair of Adidas iD2 goggles to be worn by a British athlete competing in the 2010 Winter Olympics.  The public will vote via premium SMS text message in the UK and the USA for the winning goggles.  Text message voting will identify the top 10 finalists.  The finalists will each receive several pairs of the iD2 Adidas ski goggles to implement the actual design onto the goggles and then return the sample to Adidas.

Adidas will choose the ultimate winner from the ten finalists.  The winning design will be implemented on the ski goggles worn by a 2010 Winter Olympian from the British ski team.

Advanced Telecom Services is proud to be associated with an internationally recognized brand like Adidas.  It is also an honor to be associated with the British ski team and the Vancouver Olympics.

At Advanced Telecom Services, we have the Olympic spirit.

Hulkamania Runs Wild Again

advanced34    900 Numbers, IVR, Telemedia     900 number, Hulk Hogan

Last week, the return of Hulk Hogan to pro wrestling gave TNA Impact its highest ratings ever for Monday Night.

Hulk Hogan led TNA to its highest ratings ever.

TNA Impact airs on Spike TV.

The special live three hour edition of TNA Impact recorded 2.2 million viewers.

Advanced Telecom Services owes a lot to Hulk Hogan.  ATS was fortunate enough to do the WWF wrestling hotline and the Hulk Hogan Hotline during Hogan’s time at WWF and later at WCW.  AT&T has confirmed that the Hulk Hogan Hotline was the biggest 900 number in the United States from 1991 through 1993.

President Bob Bentz remarked for years what a class guy Terry Bollea (Hulk Hogan) is.  “He once called on Christmas Day to wish my son and me a Merry Christmas.  That small gesture meant a lot to me.”

It’s good to see Hulk Hogan back in the ring where he belongs.  Hopefully, he’ll think about bringing back that 900 number again.

Advanced Telecom Services Celebrates Strong Year

advanced34    900 Numbers, Company News, mobile marketing     900 Numbers, Advanced Telecom Services., Company News, mobile marketing

Advanced Telecom Services held its 21st annual holiday party at

Comedian Frank Butler models the new 84444.com jacket that employees received.

Fleming’s Steakhouse in Radnor on January 6, 2010.

President Bob Bentz and Director Bret Dunlap made speeches thanking the team for an outstanding year in 2009.  CFO Paul Hehn remarked that 2009 was Advanced Telecom Services most profitable year in many years.

The year was strong thanks to increased 900 number sales in ATS’s Canada office due in part to the recent deregulation of the Canadian 900 number market.  In addition, strong growth was produced by the company’s 84444.com mobile marketing product.  Finally, Advanced Mobile Solutions’ mobile classifieds business showed an over 500% growth over 2008 and its Cars To Go platform is showing signs of tremendous increases for 2010.

After a cocktail hour, the team enjoyed a delicious dinner and desert, accompanied by a significant amount of wine.  VP-Engineering Frank Butler provided his stand-up comedy routine, a company favorite, and employees were presented with 84444.com jackets.