Answering the Phone...Returning Client Calls...

[~Jenny~]

Morning Geeks,

I've got a question regarding taking client calls while working....

How do you all deal with this??

I do not answer the phone when I'm with clients, I never have as I like to give my clients my full attention.

I have always returned calls/texts at the end of the day.....I've been finding taking calls very difficult lately as my working hours have changed so I tend to work more in the evenings and during the day if I'm not working I'm with my little girls....anyone who has children will appreciate how hard it is to take business calls when children are running around!!! I feel like I end up sounding unprofessional when there's a lot of kiddy noise in the background...this is not a problem for my regulars because they know my girls, I just don't want to put off potential new clients.

I have come up with a a kind of template text that I can very quickly adapt and send which I'm hoping will work as I don't like to think of people phoning first thing and not hearing a peep from me all day or evening the next day.

If you were a potential client would you be happy to receive a text shortly after your call to let you know that someone will get back to you later on that day??

 

[Carole.B]

If you were a potential client would you be happy to receive a text shortly after your call to let you know that someone will get back to you later on that day??

Yes I would, at least it shows my call has been acknowledged..xx

 

[Debbies Gellies]

I would be happy with a text.

One thing though what about those who phone that with hold their number. ? I use my mobile as my business phone and some calls say Unkown or withheld. Maybe answer these ones if you can.

 

[Flesh_and_Bone]

You could have 2 set times of the day when you return calls. Say, all calls received in the morning are returned at lunchtime and all afternoon calls returned early evening. That way, nobody is waiting longer than a few hours for a call and you will hopefully not lose clients because they're impatient to wait all day for a call and end up going somewhere else.

I've heard voicemail messages where the caller is asked to leave their details and is told that their call will be returned within X number of hours or before a certain time of day, you might want to think about doing that.

Sx

 

[prettymiss]

I think a standard text message is a really good idea that you can just fire off so they know you're not ignoring them! Quite a few of my clients contact me by text so I think thats perfectly acceptable. I've also got a voicemail on my phone saying Im probably with a client but please leave a message and i'll call back at the earliest chance I get - or words to that effect. At least it shows you're busy!!

I also got handsfree in my car so can return calls between appointments. The problem comes when i have to write something down!!

Hope that helps!

 

[Ruthlm]

yea, I think thats a good idea, I would know that you were aware that I wasw anting to talk to you and that you were going to call me back. I understand the children thing, personaly I wouldnt mind that as I have 3 myself and understand, noise noise noise lol x ruth

 

[Buff]

Hi, i completly agree Re: not taking call while with clients, i'm in a similar position with my little girl, they always want you when you're on the phone. I would be happy to recieve a text as acknowedgement.