Stuck on the phones all day long? We feel for you. But we also know how important it is to make sure the phone gets answered when there’s a call. It’s a catch-22. You can’t be out drumming up new business if you’re tethered to the phone lines. Look on the bright side: you’re in demand. People are calling, after all. Bottom line, you need help.
But what if there are no extra funds to hire an assistant? That’s where a professional answering service might come in handy. Need more convincing? Here are some compelling reasons that you should hire a professional answering service sooner than later:
1. You can be more productive
One of the best things about having a professional answering service is that you can work uninterrupted and be more productive. Your answering service will field calls for you, just like a secretary, taking messages and forwarding only the most important calls to you, as per your instructions. It’s like having an executive assistant at a fraction of the price. Think of all the great things you will accomplish!
2. Present a professional image
It happens to the best of us: calls come in when we’re in the midst of something, and it’s an annoyance. This sentiment often seeps into your phone manner, putting off your caller and potentially causing some repercussions in the customer service realm. With a professional answering service, you can be confident that your phone lines are being tended to in a friendly, professional manner that reflects the image you are trying to project – not the one that paints you as too busy or too preoccupied to deal with your customers when they call.
3. It gives you freedom
If your business necessitates travel, or if you work in the field quite a bit, answering the phone is not always possible. If you are out of range, in your car, or if there is an iffy cellular connection, you run the risk of losing calls along the way. Having a professional answering service allows you the freedom of going where you need to be without having to worry about whether you’re going to miss a call or two. Your service will pick up, every time, giving your customers a consistent experience, and allowing you to get out there and get down to work.
4. It allows you to go global
A professional answering service leverages modern VoIP technology, allowing you to choose area codes and exchanges in multiple geographic regions. With the global trend towards buying local, this can benefit you in many ways, capturing local business in emerging markets where you want to have a presence.
5. It saves you money
One of the most attractive things about a professional answering service is that you won’t have the added payroll expense you would normally have to deal with when you have a full-time staff. Additionally, the answering service is always on, 24/7. Your service doesn’t take vacations, it doesn’t take sick days, and it doesn’t need weekends off, so you can rest assured that you are always covered. Plans start as low as $25 a month, and services can be built on from there according to your specific needs.
My Annapolis Office: supporting your success with professional office solutions
If you live and work in the Annapolis area, drop by My Annapolis Office for a tour. We offer flexible office solutions for busy entrepreneurs, small businesses, and freelancers who are looking for an alternative to more conventional office space. We would love to talk to you about how we can help you grow your company.