Kylie Fox flipped her telephone directory open to the yellow pages and began searching for photographers. Kylie and her fiancé Rick were making slow but sure progress in the planning of their wedding in June, and the next task on the list was securing a photographer.

She knew that she should have started earlier, but it seemed like six months was plenty of time; she was about to learn differently. Kylie looked at the advertisements on the page. One ad was particularly impressive, and Kylie dialed the number.

Her call was answered by a harried woman who clearly was not interested in making callers feel welcome. Kylie explained that she was looking for a photographer for a June wedding. The woman, clearly inconvenienced by Kylie's call, asked Kylie for the date.  "Sweetheart, I've got some news for you," she said in an unsympathetic voice. "June next year, we can do, but nobody is going to have room for June this year. We book a year in advance." Kylie meekly thanked her and hung up.

She called several photographers from the yellow pages. Twice she got answering machines and left messages. Three others told her the same thing that the first one had. One woman actually laughed. Kylie's next call was to her mother. She cried.

When Kylie returned to her calling list, she noticed a small ad that said: "Linda Rahn, 10 years of friendly professional service." Kylie dialed the number. For the first time, Kylie's call was answered quickly and by a friendly person, "Linda Rahn Studios, this is Terri."

Kylie explained her situation to Terri, who informed Kylie that Ms. Rahn was booked for another wedding on the same day as Kylie's, but earlier in the day. Terri asked Kylie a number of questions about her plans and promised to convey information to Ms. Rahn. Terri also told Kylie that Ms. Rahn was conducting a sitting, and she would call Kylie back as soon as she finished with the client.

Terri, an answering service employee, sent an email message with all the necessary details to Linda Rahn, who worked with one assistant photographer in her small studio.  An hour later, Linda was talking to Kylie, making arrangements for an early afternoon "studio" wedding and making plans for an assistant photographer to cover Kylie's reception. Relieved at the friendliness and flexibility that she had found, Kylie explained how difficult it had been to find a photographer that was willing to work with her.

Linda smiled into the phone and said, "Some people are very good photographers, but not good businesspersons. Sometimes, knowing just how much you can handle, and how much you can leave to others is the mark of a true professional - which is one reason that I use an answering service!"

Learn more about telephone answering services and discover how the might be able to help you.