A LOW-COST
MARKETING SYSTEM
USING YOUR MODEM
The computer is now viewed as the most essential business tool available.
The only problem is, many businesses buy a computer just for the sake of
having one, with no plans as to how the computer will be used. Sure,
they start to type letters on it, maybe a few marketing documents, and
the customer list goes on it, but that's the extent of computer use for
many businesses. Some don't even get that far. Well, those businesses
are missing out on a valuable low-cost marketing opportunity open ONLY
to computer users. To take advantage of this opportunity, you need to
have a MODEM. First, I'll tell you what a modem is, and an overview of
how to use it. Then, I'll let you in on some valuable marketing secrets.
WHAT IS A MODEM?
The word stands for MOdulator DEModulator, and it's just a fancy name
for a telephone hookup for your computer. Modems can either be a card
that is easily installed into your computer, or it can be an external unit.
Basically, the only difference from modem to modem that the average user
needs to worry about is the speed. Modem speed is indicated by a BAUD rate,
which indicates how many "data bits" are transferred per second.
The most common baud rates for modems are 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600,
and 14,400. Don't get a 300 or 1200 baud modem, as they are outdated and
too slow. A 2400 baud modem is sufficient for most people and is very
economical (usually $50 or so).
With a modem and a special computer program called a terminal program
(one is usually included with the modem), you can call up other computers
and communicate with them, including transferring programs and files.
You can communicate with individual computer users, or through BULLETIN
BOARD SYSTEMS, or BBS's, which are services run primarily by private
individuals.
When you call a BBS, you are instructed to type your name and a password
of your choice. If it's your first time calling the BBS, you will usually
go through a short registration process, similar to filling out a form.
This is all done on your computer. The information you type on your end
is sent through the phone line to the system operator's, or SYSOP's,
computer, which is running the BBS. Once you are registered, there may or
may not be a membership fee, depending on the individual SYSOP, though
most will allow free use of their BBS by non-members for a short period of
time each day. This will be all the time you'll need, though, to use the
methods I'll describe in this report. There are also large ON-LINE
(accessible by modem) services you can call, such as Compu-Serve, Genie,
America On-Line, and others. These are basically the same as BBS's,
but on a much larger scale, and all have monthly membership fees, with
most charging by the hour.
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