In 1963 The “Hotline” telephone communications system linking the White How via National Military Command Center with the Kremlin during the Cold War. The “Hotline” was designed to provide direct communication between the leaders of the United States and Russia. The RED Telephone has often been used as a symbol for the “hotline.”Hotlines are a multi-billion dollar a year business. Today “Hotlines” take on many forms.
Companies and organizations use hotlines for a variety of things.They can be used as lead generation tools. Hotlines can be used to support customer service. They can be used as intructional lines for customers looking for “quick answers” to simple challenges. They can be used to filter calls from advertising. Hotlines can be used as a tool to market your special services. Law enforcement uses hotlines for people to call in to leave “tips” or leads about crimes that have occurred.
Hotlines can also be used as a direct connection to people in an organization that clients want instant access to.
Several years ago, my retail florist created an information “hotline” that gave people directions to our place of business, current “specials” we were offering and answered frequently asked questions. This “hotline” saved our staff hours of labor because the common questions were answered before my staff got on the line, leaving more time to find out what the customer wanted and how we could better serve her or him.
You can listen to one of those “recorded” messages here:
What could you use a “hotline” for in your business?
Today is also:
National Holistic Pet Day
Get a Slinky Day
Frankestein Day
Toasted Marshmallow Day
Also on August 30th:
In 1984 The Space Shuttle Discovery takes off on its maiden voyage.
