The passage of time is funny. It used to be fun to check your mail, get emails etc. We used to even do this weird thing called the white pages where you would list your home phone number so people could call you. Fun times huh? Fast forward 30 years later and we dread most of those things. And we wouldn’t dare list our phone number on the internet for friends to reach us. But that’s exactly what you have to do when you have your own business. You give your personal number out to the internet! 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
When I started my gym, I used my personal number as the company line. A year in I realized what a mistake that was. If you’re an entrepreneur, real estate agent, small business owner I know for a fact you’ve done the same.
If you’re constantly bombarded with spam and robocalls to your personal number, here’s a few things you can do to help.
Search for Your Number on the Internet
- Search the different combinations of your phone number. 512-555-5000, 5125555000
- Try adding your name with your phone number Cody Fedell 512-555-5000
- If you have a business name try that with your phone number as well GymFed Fitness 512-555-5000
Visit these Sites to see if Your Name Comes Up
- Manta.com
- Whitepages.com
- B2B Yellowpages.com
- RocketReach
- Lusha
- Trustifo.com
These sites have different opt-out processes but most of them you can send an email with your information requesting that they remove it.
Do Not Call Registry
You can try registering your number on the DO NOT CALL list if you are getting a lot of spam calls.
What are my options if I need to advertise a number on the internet?
Option #1 Get a Separate Number For Business
When I started the gym, my only real alternative was installing a landline for $50 a month. Luckily, there are affordable and far better options. With Reach, you can get a number for your business / work for $9.99 per month. If you go this route, make sure to update your google listing and all of your social media accounts.
Option #2 Port Your Current Number and Get a New Personal Line
This is becoming a popular option. No one wants to change business numbers after using it for a few months or years. It’s all over your cards, social media, etc plus that’s where clients are used to talking to you. Porting your current number into a business app and getting a new personal number from your carrier is a viable option as you only have to let friends and family know your new line.
Whatever you end up choosing to do, remember this isn’t the 80s or the 90s. We unfortunately no longer look forward to the mail, phone calls, or emails. KEEP YOUR PERSONAL NUMBER PRIVATE.
