acceptance to technology. The affordable prices and the accessibility of
fax machines, voice mail systems, CDs and desktop computers make this
technological advancements key to new ways entrepreneurs can communicate
to and market products to their customers.
In this report, we look at the modem, a small inexpensive gadget that when
installed into a desktop computer, will enable you to set-up an electronic
bulletin board, send faxes with your computer, enable you to get on the
Internet, send and receive e-mail, and more...
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 to computer
users who have access to any type of on-line service, using what is called
the MODEM.
WHAT IS A MODEM?
The word MODEM stands for MOdulator DEModulator, and it's just a fancy name
for that small gadget that allows your computer to "hook-up" with the other
computers, using the telephone.
Modems can either be a card that is easily installed inside your computer, or
it can be an external unit. Basically, the only difference among modems that
you need to worry about is the speed. Modem speed is indicated by what is
called the BAUD Rate, which indicates the amount of "data" your modem can
receive or send per second. The most common baud rates for modems are 300,
1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, and 14,400. This report you are reading is approximately
25,000 bits. If you are using a 1200 baud modem, it will take you more
than 20 seconds to send or receive this file via the telephone line. With a
14,400 baud, it will take you less than 2 seconds.
With a modem and a "communications" program 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 by entrepreneurs.
ELECTRONIC MARKETING MARKETING WITH MODEMS....
With a modem, you will also have the ability send and receive what are called
email or electronic mail - that is mail sent and received electronically,
using the computer.
With a modem, you can also "access" large ON-LINE services such as Prodigy,
CompuServe, Genie, America On-Line, and others. These are basically huge
bulletin board services with enormous libraries of information materials
which are made available to you when you subscribe to their service.
With a modem, you can also access the Internet to do research, send
information (business) materials to other computers, play games, or even
go shopping.
Used effectively, modems can be a formidable marketing tool which can be
employed to send product and business information to large numbers of
prospects quickly (no real lead-time, other than message transfer) and
inexpensively.
If you don't have a modem, by all means go out and get one! You can get a
modem card for your computer for as little as $50. You can even get one that
can also function as a fax for around $100 or less. Considering the benefits
you'll get from having one, a modem is wide investment in this age of
computer telecommunications. If you already have a modem, but never put it
to use, now is the time to get started!
