118 Numbers

Telecoms World would like to encourage charities to use 118 directory enquiries numbers as a way of fundraising. Research suggests that the UK 118 directories market is worth £350 million per annum. On average, an estimated 2% of a company's phone bill could consist of calls made to 118 directory enquiry services and a private individual will make on average one to two 118 directory calls per month. This may seem like a small figure, but when multiplied across your private and corporate sponsors, this could provide your charity with a substantial monthly income stream at no additional cost to your sponsors.

How does it work?
We will provide your charity with a unique 118 number. Users of the service will hear a personalised welcome message using the Charity's name followed by the delivery of a premium service. All enquiries benefit the Charity with an automatic contribution of 10p. The caller will be informed that a donation has been made and thank them for using the service.

Promote the concept
Inform your corporate sponsors of this 118 opportunity and advise them that if they would simply reconfigure their telephone system to default to the Charity's 118 number, the Charity would benefit substantially. With modern telephone systems this is a simple process and takes a matter of minutes. A simple way to generate an immediate income for their chosen charity, at no extra cost.

Inform the individual sponsors of this 118 opportunity and advise them by simply dialling your 118 number they are supporting their charity to the sum of 10p every time they use the service. They in turn could inform friends, family and work colleagues to use the service. After all why give the money to the men with moustaches?

Most charities publish a regular newsletter or periodical. This medium can be used to promote your 118 number to the donor/supporter database, regularly reminding your target market to use the designated number. Simply by promoting the number on your website, headed paper and other printed material will result in calls being made to the 118 number.

Projected income
Current income projections indicate a minimum of £1000 per annum for every thousand people using the service, i.e. 50,000 donors/supporters each making 10 enquiry calls annually would generate £50,000 directly for your Charity each year.

Working with you
Telecoms World will work with you to develop the service, agree tariffs, number allocation, legal formalities and all regulatory issues.