I was recently luxuriating at my massage therapists office and found out they use myreceptionist.com as an answering service, and I don’t think they are half bad. They are pleasant to talk to, and though they don’t know everything…they are good enough. The rates seem semi-reasonable…much cheaper than a pt employee.
Does anyone here use them? Or another good company that is good? I think I’d actually prefer a local company. I have hired people before to do this job, and it has never worked out. Its time to find a professional. I feel overwhelmed at the amount of voicemails and emails. This time of year I can’t keep up. Literally it is 10:45p.m right now and I just finished all my office work. Its too much!!! I even trained one of my employees to do both office and tech (she is a special breed)…but we are too busy.
NO LECTURES PLEASE.
Half of you are about to gasp in horror…but I NEVER answer my customer calls… o.k. maybe once in a blue moon on accident. I just hate talking on the phone! I also am never in my office, so I like to have the customer info available before I talk to them. (My biz has 28 years of history so although some client history is on my phone…most is in my files at home…too much data entry) Most of my customers now reach me by email and that is awesome. On my voicemail message I say it will take a few days to get back to them, and email is a faster way to reach me (and I leave my e-address). Ive been doing it this way for many years, and I still have a growing business.
At the same time, I am very aware that when I called a business, I like to get a person. So back to the original question…someone must be using a service. Any Reviews?
i’m hoping to get my wife to handle all of the office stuff when i go full time. i dont think i would use or trust an outside company.
not a lecture, more of an fyi. when i call a business and get a answering machine, i hang up instantly. i’m sure your business is growing, but is it as fast as it could be?
lucky you, that’s always a head start like the way Chris had Alex
there’s different personality types, some just love the phone and/or a conversation with someone, they can’t whip it out fast enough to talk to someone
I accept your halfhearted lecture. I actually don’t mind if I lose business but I usually don’t. Last week I was getting 10+ calls and emails a day. (tis the season). The majority of our work is word of mouth, and people are willing to wait for businesses they can trust. My customer base is extremely loyal.
I cut back from 4 employees last year to two and me this year. I am shrinking. On purpose. I would love to shrink even more. My company is 28 years old, and I have been in it 18 years…owned it 8. I know what it takes to grow beyond where I am right now, and I’m not willing to give up any more of my time to this company. I have kids and hobbies and husbands and they require attention. It is frustrating at times because If I was single, I would probably live and breath business. Having a family does ensure that I attempt to balance my time though.
I was blessed to have enjoyed a relatively business free winter. No biz planning or data entry…only a few jobs. I accomplished a lot outside of my business and felt a level of creativity in life that has been missing the past few years. It sticks with me that I was extremely happy during that time.
I know The popular opinion on the forum is a bigger business is a better business. I just don’t think everyone can or should strive for that. I am now working towards building a smaller business, with higher profit customers, more free time, and a happier me.
May need an online receptionist to help make that happen. Or maybe not.
BTW Bruce…thanks for the simple numbers book suggestion. I got it, and I’ve read it. I have to re-read it. I don’t have good retention when reading…Great, easy(ish) book though.
