It’s 6 days to go until the iPhone 4 will be in my hands. I’ve been thinking today about how it will change my existing user experience, new features that I will start to use, how it will change or enhance the functions I already enjoy using the iPhone for. Just how different is it likely to be?

I suppose really, the first question would be, when are you getting yours? I’ve seen today that o2 have stated that only existing o2 customers will be able to buy the new iPhone 4 at launch, as they have priority, with new customers coming to o2 not being able to purchase until at least the end of July. That’s great news for me, as I’m an existing customer; hopefully it means that they WILL have some handsets in my local o2 store next Thursday, so I can walk away a very happy customer!

With all the new features that Apple have crammed into this new unit, what do you think you will use the most? Has it really enhanced what you already use it for? I know I for one am looking forward to the built in HD camcorder, with the ability to publish immediately to youtube; instant video blogging! It doesn’t get much more powerful than that in my opinion!

Taking photos on my existing iPhone has always been a drag, with there only being a 2MP camera on the 3G unit. Pics are ok, but any movement, or anything less than bright sunshine and they look hideous. a 5MP camera is a very welcome addition for me.

Facetime, the video calling functionality between iPhone 4-iPhone 4 calls, is an absolute revolution. The picture quality seems much higher than anything I’ve seen with other 3G phones offering similar functionality. Of course, this is only enabled via a wifi network, but I’m sure as the carriers progress, we’ll be able to see it appear on 3G signals in the future. (Eventually). Of course, this isn’t anything that I’m expecting to utilise all the time, just a nice feature for when the need/want arrives.

The battery. Oh….the battery. Yes I’ve had some very long love affairs with my power cable of recent. I’ve been using it quite a bit, so have often had to top it up whilst I’ve been working at my Mac. I’m told by a friend of mine who has a 3GS currently, that the battery was significantly better in that unit – plus now in the new iPhone 4, allegedly 40% increase in battery storage, I should have a very nice surprise by the time I come to get mine! Hopefully I won’t have to spend as much time plugged in as I have been so far. The phone, that is.

So what about you? How will this change things for you? Bring on your specifics!

Richard Heathcote, Voice Over Artist

Well folks, the time has arrived, 2010 is now upon us. I for one will welcome this new year in gladly, as for me I think it’s going to be a year that will absolutely rock, work-wise. Things over the past year have been picking up very well, word has spread, and the marketing efforts both online and off are really beginning to pay off.

It’s just the most satisfying feeling when you can see the results happen in front of your eyes. Long hours have been spent travelling the country to various networking meetings, and online, using social media like Twitter, Facebook and the like; but you know what – it’s all been absolutely worth it. Even at the times when you don’t think it will, you’ll get that random enquiry in either over the phone or through Email. Of recent, I’ve even had some come in through Direct Messages on Twitter, from people wanting quotes for upcoming work. This kind of phenomenon 10 years ago was just unheard of.

We’ve moved into a much more interactive world, where questions and replies can happen virtually instantly. I had an enquiry two days ago on Twitter, and within a minute they had in their inbox all the information they required, with a rate card of my prices ready for their upcoming projects. I absolutely love this phenomenon, it just speeds the whole process up no end, and makes things move in an extraordinary fashion.

Online marketing has been the big thing for me in 2009, and I think it will only grow in 2010. It also makes me think, when it comes to return on investment in your time – where are you reaping the most rewards when it comes to your marketing efforts? Are you overlooking the power of what can happen in the online world? Are you giving it at least a try, to get your feet wet and see what it could lead to? I for one was sceptical in the early days, but am a complete convert for how powerful these tools are. They certainly shouldn’t be underestimated by any stretch.

Ultimately, you have to concentrate your efforts on what you feel is right, and what brings you the most reward. My top tip for the near year is to experiment with everything that is out there, as you never know how surprised you might be when finding where your next pay cheque is coming from. Always be open to new avenues of income, especially in the online world. You never know where it might lead…..

But most importantly, have a positive view on the upcoming year ahead, and do all you can to achieve your dreams whatever they may be. Bring on 2010, we’re ready for you….

Ok, bold statement time. You may not be listening properly to your customers. So many of us are guilty for it though, so you’re not alone!

It’s true though,sometimes we get so caught up in ‘what we offer’, it’s not always in synch with ‘what people want’. I had a skype chat with a colleague of mine last week, and we got on to the subject of the packages that I currently offer, namely podcasts, on-hold messaging etc etc. Through the conversation he mentioned that it’s easier for other people to sell other people’s wares as they’re not at all self-conscious about it. For example, you will quite happily say that ‘person x’ is the best at doing ‘x’ and has helped your business no end, and near enough shout it from the rooftops. It would be much harder to say the exact same thing, with the same amount of passion if you were talking about yourself.

What this boils down to is the fact that you don’t want to come across as sounding pushy or arrogant, even though you may well be the absolute best person for the job; we have a problem with saying so without fear of looking bad. So out of this conversation, my colleague said ‘why don’t you offer radio style adverts people can use on their own websites, that actually sell their services for them?’. Now this is something which I almost do already, but it’s packaged up in a different way, and is a twist on what I already offer.

This just proves that sometimes you have to just take a step back, find out what people actually want rather than just plough on with what you think they want. I asked him the question, hypothetically, is this a service he would pay for, and would he see great value in having this a service. He said unequivocally yes; it’s a service that helps a company to sell their own services or products via their own site, to ultimately result in more sales.

It’s all about hooking people’s attention when potential customers land on your website, and making sure they come back. With what I was already offering, it wouldn’t have majorly done this, but now having listened to what my potential customers want, I have a much better understanding of what to offer.

So, my top tip – every so often, do a personal mental stock take of what you already offer product/service wise, check it’s in line with what people want, and if it’s not – change it!

message on hold image

Message-on-hold audio is something which many companies do implement, more so if they have more than one department or line a call could be directed to (If they don’t have a permanent receptionist etc). As you say, there are some horrendous ones out there – my aim is to start abolishing those and show how they can be implemented far better.

First port of call (in my opinion) is to hire a professional copywriter (e.g. Stefan Thomas/Mark Beaumont-Thomas – search for contact details on 4networking.biz) who can produce a highly effective script in accordance with your needs, in terms of including any company branding and specific material. Like with a lot of things, people think they can just ‘whack out’ a few words on a jotter pad and ‘that’ll do’.

However, you need to think about it – this is the first thing a potential client will hear, and they will start making preconceptions about you/your company, be it rightly or wrongly. We all judge, even if not consciously. We can’t help it, it’s human nature!

The question you need to ask yourself is, what do I as a business owner want them to think? How do I want them to feel when the call is answered?

What I can do is to produce the voice clips for those phone systems.

Some recent questions that came in (paraphrased):

Why is it important it’s done professionally?

It’s important because the customer needs to feel special and wanted, so being led through by a friendly, professional human-sounding voice will keep them a happy customer, before being put through to the department/person they want to talk to.

How easy to get it implemented?

In a word, very. You supply me with the script you’ve had written, and I can return the finished audio clip(s) usually same day in WAV or mp3 format.

Presumably this kind of thing is quite costly?

With me, not at all. I have packages starting from as little as £50. It all depends on the length of the script and how long it’ll take to produce. All you need do is drop me a line and I can quote accordingly…

Want more info?

http://www.richardheathcote.co.uk/voice-demos/messageonhold.html