As a busy parent, you often have to wear more than one hat at a time. Who can relate to juggling school drop-offs, taking work calls, rushing to appointments, and fulfilling family commitments, all within the space of a few hours?
The thing about being a working parent is that good communication is absolutely essential. Especially if you spend a lot of your time in a home office, or indeed, run a small business. Given how prone they are to being pulled in several different directions (often at once), many parents look for simple ways to keep the communication lines open and organised without letting work take over family time.
The key to doing this is to have a good system in place. That is why some are using a 1300 number to make their lives easier. Here is how having this type of inbound number can help you stay connected as a business parent.
Why is it So Hard for Busy Parents To Stay Connected?
Parenting today involves far more communication than it did in the past. Between schools, childcare, medical appointments, work enquiries, and family commitments, many mums’ and dads’ phones rarely stop buzzing. In fact, many parents rely on their mobiles as their main point of contact. As a result, this can blur the line between their personal time and work duties.
For parents who run a home-based business, this can feel especially difficult. After all, it’s not uncommon for the phone to ring while you’re caring for kids or during family moments. If you miss these calls, it can be stressful, not to mention costly, in terms of potential missed sales.
That is why many have professional phone lines by Telcoworks installed in their home offices. This provides parents with a system that lets them manage their family responsibilities while keeping their communication lines clear for business conversations.
What is a 1300 Phone Number?
A 1300 number is a virtual phone number that is used by Australian businesses of all sizes. Unlike a landline, it is not linked to a physical phone line. Instead, calls are routed to a mobile or landline that is chosen by the company. For busy parents, this means they can have one dedicated number for business enquiries, while all their personal, non-work calls will be directed to their mobile number.
The great thing about a 1300 number is that it can follow you wherever you are. This could be at home, at school pick-up, or while working remotely in a coffee shop. Many parents love the flexibility a virtual phone number offers in creating a clear boundary between their work and home life.
Which Type of Parent Benefits Most from a 1300 Number?
Most parents won’t need a 1300 phone number. However, it can be very useful if you:
- Regularly work from home
- Run your own business
- Have a busy schedule
- Receive a lot of phone calls during the day (both personal and business-related)
Moreover, many find value in a 1300 number in various ways. For instance, parents running small family businesses often use a 1300 number to appear more professional, especially if their customer base is nationwide.
Likewise, freelancers and consultants working from home often appreciate having a dedicated business point of contact without having to install an extra phone line. Even parents balancing part-time work and school commitments can benefit from an inbound number, while those returning to work after time at home can use one to ease their way back into the swing of business communications.
How To Separate Work Calls from Family Time Without Missing Opportunities
One of the biggest challenges for busy parents who run their own businesses or work from home is the parent guilt that comes from being pulled away from family moments by incoming calls. That is why separating their work calls from personal calls is important, as it helps them reduce interruptions while still remaining connected to their business.
A 1300 number allows parents to set clear expectations, such as letting clients or customers know when to call and when to leave a message. Specific features, such as voicemail, allow you to explain when you will return calls and make it easier to do so when your schedule allows. You can even choose to keep your work notifications off during family time, if you want.
How Much Does a 1300 Number Cost?
The cost of a 1300 number will depend on what type of plan you sign up for and how many calls you receive.
Whenever someone phones you on an inbound number, the charges are split between your business and the caller. They typically pay a local rate, which can range from 25 to 40 cents for landlines. But it is often free on unlimited mobile plans.
At the same time, businesses are charged monthly fees of around $5 to $10, as well as separate call charges. Generally, they are between 6 and 9 cents per minute.
They will also need to pay setup fees, which are usually a one-time charge starting at around $30. While basic numbers are free, procuring premium or “smartnumbers” with a memorable pattern, such as 1300 BARBER, will cost extra.
1300 numbers do not require you to purchase any kind of additional hardware beyond what you already have. Typically, they take between 1 and 2 business days to set up.
Is Having a 1300 Number Worth it for Parents Who WFH?
Ultimately, this is something only you can decide. And the best way to do that is to weigh up the costs of having one against the potential benefits it brings.
A 1300 number is generally worth it for home-based parents who are looking to grow their businesses. Not only does it enhance their credibility and project a professional national image, but it also keeps their personal phone free of business calls.
Perhaps most importantly, it enables flexible call forwarding to mobiles or softphones, as well as various voicemail functions. This allows parents to better manage their work-life balance and do important things, such as helping their kids with homework.
