MARKETING SYSTEM USING YOUR MODEM

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 Don't get a 300 or 1200 baud modem, as they are outdated and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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