Tips on Finding the Right Answering Service
With so many options to choose from today, how do you really know which answering service is for you? The answer may not be so clear, however, here are some tips to consider when finding an answering service that fits you.
1. Specialty Services
Some Answering Services excel at some things, and do not do so well at others. For example, some answering services offer 24/7 coverage, others may only be during normal business hours. If you are a lawyer, consider hiring an answering service that specializes in attorneys, like Answering Legal! (Though I am a bit biased.)
2. Call Quality
Of course, having a live person to answer your phone is better than the proverbial voicemail, however, if the caller encounters your answering service and he/she cannot understand the operator because of a poor call quality, the opportunity for retained business is foregone. Make sure that your virtual receptionists sound crisp and clear to your callers, or they will not be your callers for very long!
3. Agent Capabilities
A polite greeting and call quality can make a huge difference when a caller is attempting to reach your business. Another criteria to consider is how well a virtual receptionist can handle the various tasks – this ties in better with specialty answering services. For example, as a lawyer, you most likely want to speak to all new clients as soon as possible, and for that reason would enjoy the benefit of a virtual receptionist who is able to politely place callers on hold while he/she attempts to announce the call to you. If the agents at your answering service can only take simple messages and you would like to be patched into new callers, consider switching to a more robust answering service.
4. Pricing
Pricing is what a lot of answering services come down to, and that’s okay! Your overhead costs should be kept to a minimum while making sure you are bringing in the maximum amount of profit while providing a great product or service! You should always inquire about per-minute costs, flat rates, and OVERAGES. Make sure you understand the billing agreement between you and your answering service, because an overage of minutes may result in a hefty add-on to your monthly bill!
Tying it All Together
These are only a few things to consider, and of course, contacting the sales department at any answering service is a great way to receive more information about each individual service. If you are a lawyer seeking the best of all words when it comes to a lawyer answering service, try Answering Legal! There are never any contracts or obligations, and we offer a 14 day free trial when you call in. Happy hunting!
Phone: 631-686-9700
a href="https://Answeringlegal.com">Answeringlegal.com
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