Land vs Cell

Land vs Cell

So, I belong to a professional organization for editors and threads fly around all day, usually with deep discussions of grammar—I tend to delete those quickly because I really can’t that deep on the issue. But then a really interesting topic came up—or actually two of them: Do you give your landline or cell numbers to clients? And do you accept texts from clients who have “quick” questions?

To answer the second one first: I think I’ve only ever received one text from a client, ever. The issue was dealt with in three minutes and then switched to e-mail. The first question is better because landlines, from what I’ve read, are starting to disappear as people use their cell phones for their only lines.

Personally, I like being able to have both. I never give my landline information to a client unless it’s an emergency. But if I have a conference call, I dial in from the landline because the receiver can stand up on its own and has a better speaker; and I don’t have to worry about it running out of power, or minutes.

And I like having a landline because it almost always works—and because I can have an old-fashioned phone with cords. Have a blackout? I plug in the phone with the cord and I’m good. Something happens to the portable handheld, again, I plug in the one with the cords and I’m ready. And my old-fashioned phone has a really long cord for the receiver so I can get pretty far with it. 

During Superstorm Sandy, though, I plugged it in and nothing happened. Even those lines were gone. But once the power came back, I made sure it was plugged in for a couple of days just to make sure everything worked all right-and to let all those other communications devices recharge at their own pace. Yes, I’m nutty with it.

Even more importantly, I give out the landline number whenever I have to put something down for contact that isn’t that important. The store will call to let me know when the package will be delivered? They can leave a message. Need to put something in the phone book—and yes, those are disappearing too but a lot of that information can be found online so it’s a good number to have—the landline is the way to go. I have an answering system set up that I can call into a couple of times a day if I’m working onsite, but usually (yes, there are some calls that should have been answered faster) that’s fine. Nothing there is urgent.

My cellphone, though, is my business line. All of my clients have the number. Even prospective clients have it. Plus, all of the vendors I work with have the number. My handyman can reach me no matter where I am. Same goes for the guy who cuts the lawn, and the one redoing the driveway. Those people need to be able to find me quickly and I’m on at least 12 hours a day—less on weekends. Plus I keep my contacts’ information in the phone so I can find them just as quickly—both phone numbers and e-mail addresses. It’s a business thing and seems to work well. Do I want them to text me regularly? Not really; but a text here or there won’t be a problem. And I use a Bluetooth earpiece when I’m in the car. I don’t actually get many calls when I’m driving but if I do, I can answer and then I usually pull off whenever possible to talk. And no, I never text while driving.

The system works for me. What would you do?