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Even with all of today’s technology and communication options, the telephone is still the preferred way for customers to contact a plumber, be it to connect with their existing provider or to find a new one. That’s why it’s critical to have a plumbing answering service covering your phones for you whenever you’re unable to or need to focus on other things. Yet some businesses feel they don’t need an answering service for plumbers. “I already have enough business,” they say. They believe that they don’t need to answer their phone if they don’t feel like it, or that returning [...]

HVAC Call Answering Service The success of heating and cooling businesses depends on two things: the quality of your work and your responsiveness to your customers’ needs. Though even the best HVAC answering service can't help you with the quality of your work, they can stand as a central resource for the responsiveness that your customers want. That's why your selection of your HVAC answering service is so critical. Don't go with the low-cost provider because they’ll skimp on the professional service that you want and that your customers so desperately need. After Hours, Daytime, or 24/7 Phone Coverage Tailored to Your [...]

A common question many answering services hear is, “How can I reduce my answering service bill?” Given the increase in costs that many businesses are currently undergoing, wondering how to reduce your answering service bill is an understandable concern. But it may not be the right one. You have an answering service to better serve your customers, and if you cut corners with your answering service to save a few dollars, will you jeopardize a relationship with a customer in the process? To save $10 and lose a customer with a lifetime value of, say, $1000 in the process is [...]

If you’re thinking about hiring a telephone answering service or switching to a new one, you may wonder about answering service cost. We typically think of expenses in terms of cost per month, but when it comes to answering services, this is not a good default position. Read on to discover why. Rate Plan Explanation Telephone Answering services have three components in their rate structure. The first is a fixed recurring dollar amount. No matter how often or infrequently you use your service, this charge applies. The second element is the amount of work that this reoccurring fee covers. Though [...]

If you’ve never used one, you may ask, “Are telephone answering services worth it?” That all depends. If you don’t care about your customers, making money, or the long-term viability of your business, the answer is no. However, if your business and customers are important to you, then a professional answering service should be worth it to you. Consider these items that demonstrate a telephone answering service’s worth. Retain Customers Your customers will call you whenever they perceive a need. And they expect a response. If you don’t react, they’ll call someone else. It doesn’t matter how long they’ve done [...]

Not all telephone answering services are the same. Some cut corners, with their clients and callers suffering as a result. Others pursue a middle-of-the-road approach, which neither delights nor shocks anyone. Only a few providers strive to be a professional answering service. Yet if your business seeks results that matter, then hiring a professional answering service is the only solution that will produce the outcomes that you and your customers desire. Here are the main tenets of a professional answering service. Well-Trained Communication Experts Drive Quality Outcomes A professional answering service starts with professional front-line telephone staff. They receive in-depth training on [...]

Though many people have a basic idea of what an answering service does, they may wonder about the specifics. They may ask, “What services can an answering service provide?” In general, answering services handle phone calls by taking messages, giving out information, and relaying communication to their clients as appropriate and when needed. If you have a need that involves telephone calls, it’s likely that an answering service can help. Here are some common services that an answering service can provide: Standard Answering Service The most common application is that an answering service will handle your calls when you’re unavailable. [...]

How Much Is an Answering Service?  Many people ask, “How much is an answering service?” A lot of managers wonder this because they don’t know what else to say. Instead, they’re looking for a way to initiate a meaningful discussion. If this describes you, ask instead about service quality, expected outcomes, and customer service. But for other business owners, inquiring “How much is an answering service?” is a relevant question. They need to determine if hiring an answering service is a realistic option to consider. Or they want to make sure they have the budget for it. How Much Is an [...]

When business owners and managers want to start or switch telephone answering services, they’ll often ask the same question: how much do answering services charge? Asking about rates is the first question most people make when inquiring about using a telephone answering service. Basic Answering Service Charges Most answering services in business today follow a common industry practice when it comes to rates. When you ask, “How much do answering services charge?” you’ll hear three numbers in response. The first number is the recurring base rate. This fixed amount appears on each invoice and provides the answering service with needed [...]

Electrician Call Answering Service Electrical contractors must juggle multiple unrelated tasks to maintain a viable business and move successfully into the future. This means keeping existing customers happy, finding new business, and submitting bids. It also includes staffing, purchasing supplies, and managing the business side of it all. With so many activities, electrical contractor owners and managers struggled to keep up. One critical element, however, that often doesn’t receive enough attention is the venerable telephone. Don’t take your phone calls for granted, hire an electrician call answering service to ensure every caller receives the attention they deserve. What Does a [...]