Question:
In the past, I’ve used voicemail to answer my calls after hours. This
worked well for routine messages, but was a disaster for urgent calls.
Then I began using an answering service so
that a “real” person could handle my emergency calls. I couldn’t be
happier, but now I need to cut
costs. Can I get the best of both worlds – a real person, while
containing costs?
Answer:
Although voicemail can be effective in
some circumstances, it is seriously lacking in other situations.
Answering services can combine aspects of voicemail with the
professional interactions of their staff. The combinations are too numerous to detail.
But, if you can envision a combination of “live” service and voicemail
that is perfect for you, you answering service can likely implement it.
One common scenario is to use automation
to answer your calls with your answering service's operators as backup. For example, the
automated system may give out common information, filter non-urgent
calls, and route basic calls to voicemail.
Another approach is to have
your answering service's operators answer each call, routing some to
voicemail and personally handling others – according to your
instructions.
Also, it is important to note that the
manner in which voicemail is
integrated with live answering service can present a certain image to your callers, making you
appear as a larger, more sophisticated organization or a smaller, more
personal one.
The key point is that your answering
service can design a call processing strategy that balances all of your needs within
the confines of your budget.
Learn more about telephone
answering services and discover how the might be able to help you.