How Do Answering Services Work?

Many of us love using digital options, live chat, emails, and texts when we communicate with businesses and service providers. Have a quick question? Go to the FAQ  page. Need to schedule an appointment, hop on an automated call. But there are situations in which we need to talk to a person. A real, live human being. When we need to reach our dentist because a toothache is making our lives miserable; when we need to solve a computer problem, and the instructions online just make no sense; when we need help with a complex problem that is beyond the scope of live chat. This is where a virtual answering service comes in. 

How do answering services work – and if you are running a business or practice, how will they work for you?

Answering Services Work for Busy 24/7 Professionals 

How do answering services work? It’s simple. They answer phone calls on your behalf. This way, your clients, customers, or other key stakeholders can reach you anytime, day or night. They can provide the information and assistance that the caller needs when you are unavailable. For example, an insurance company/agent may find it useful to have an answering service to handle routine questions, such as “When is my premium deadline?” or “What are my coverage limits?” 

Another example: you are a therapist, and you need to be available to clients in crisis – and crisis can come at any time. If you are after-hours, your answering service can take the call, provide that essential human contact, and then contact you with emergencies.

Now, let’s say you are in the middle of an important meeting. You don’t want to be interrupted, but you also don’t want to miss out when opportunity calls. Again, the answering service can provide assistance, taking those calls, giving necessary information, and passing the messages on to you.

The answering service handles these communications according to your specifications. 

Professionals across industries find answering services work exceptionally well for them. These include tradespeople (e.g. plumbers, electricians, contractors), doctors, dentists, therapists/counselors, sales reps, solo entrepreneurs, and service providers (e.g. software experts, IT pros).

More Than Answering Phones

Answering calls is, in and of itself, tremendously useful. But answering services can also take on other responsibilities, including:

  • Call screening and announcing
  • Call transferring to multiple phone numbers
  • Relaying basic information 
  • Completing basic tasks, such as taking orders 
  • Voicemail to email functionality (your voicemails are sent to your email in a sound file)

When you opt to take advantage of Office Evolution’s virtual answering service, you also get discounts on our Harbour Island conference rooms and day offices

Do You Need an Answering Service?

A virtual answering service can work for you if:

  • You are unable to answer every phone call that comes in – and really, who isn’t!
  • Your voicemail box resembles the great abscess; messages are piling up, and you can’t respond fast enough. Worse, you may be losing or letting important messages slip through the cracks. 
  • Answering calls is disruptive when you are working.
  • You do not have the staff to answer phone calls.
  • You do a great deal of phone business. 

Are you ready to make comprehensive, professional answering services work for you? Contact Office Evolution today.