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Q: How can I spend less time answering business calls?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A: <\/strong>Small business owners can make the most of their limited time by using a virtual receptionist<\/a> to answer calls. This solution is cost-effective, remote, and easily implemented. <\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Harvard Business School, boosting customer retention rates by just 5% can profit increases of up to 95%. American Express has found that the average customer tells approximately 15 people when they have had a poor customer service experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The implications of these statistics<\/a> are clear: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Customer service is a double-edged sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you take it seriously, it can help you carve out a path towards success and insane profits. If you dismiss its importance, it can inflict a wound from which you may never fully recover. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In a world filled with attractive digital marketing methods like social media and PPC ads, it\u2019s easy to forget about the humble business phone line. The truth is that many of your customers prefer to call you and speak to someone directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t have enough time to answer, you could be losing thousands of potential leads. Worse still, unanswered calls can damage the reputation of your brand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So what\u2019s the solution? <\/p>\n\n\n\n It might be much easier than you expected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The benefits of running a small, remote business are obvious. You get to enjoy all the advantages of a major company without the hassle of office space, numerous employees, and that tiresome commute to the office every morning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This type of structure is especially effective for solo entrepreneurs and professionals, such as attorneys, financial experts, consultants, real estate professionals, and mobile business owners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, it\u2019s not a perfect business model. When you suddenly find yourself handling virtually every aspect of your company \u2013 from branding and tax returns to software upgrades and research \u2013 things can get a bit hectic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most overwhelming aspects of running a solo operation is customer support. Some businesses don\u2019t get many phone calls, while others are absolutely inundated with the sound of ringing<\/em> throughout the entire day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whatever the case may be, you need<\/em> a solid plan when it comes to answering calls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n eCommerce businesses are becoming increasingly popular in the modern era, and you can theoretically operate these enterprises with just a handful of employees. Today\u2019s eCommerce platforms can handle virtually every aspect of your business, and numerous tasks can be completely automated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But you can never automate the experience of an organic, human<\/em> phone conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re selling thousands of products to customers around the world, these phone calls can completely overwhelm your business. Suddenly, you\u2019re spending all day talking to customers with all kinds of complaints instead of actually growing your business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While consultants, lawyers, and real estate professionals typically deal with fewer calls per day, the same issue is just as important for these solo entrepreneurs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A single missed call for a lawyer can represent losses of tens of thousands of dollars \u2013 perhaps more. A high-paying client for a consultant can not only lead to income, but it can also lead to new networking opportunities. A satisfied real estate client can recommend you to their friends and family, leading to years of reliable work in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is why catching every single<\/em> call is so important. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s face it \u2013 even the most determined solo entrepreneurs need time off eventually. Funnily enough, it always seems like major clients decide to call at precisely<\/em> the same time we spend time with the kids or go out for dinner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And when customers do <\/em>manage to get through, they need to be greeted with a cheerful, professional voice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n First impressions are everything, especially if you\u2019re just getting started with your small business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As many remote workers have discovered, one of the biggest challenges of this model is communication<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re operating a solo operation, you don\u2019t need to worry about communicating with co-workers \u2013 but you do<\/em> need to worry about how you communicate with your customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Emails, messages, and ads can all be misinterpreted by your leads. Sometimes their only option is to call you directly to clarify concerns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another major issue for solo entrepreneurs is work-life balance. A home office can seem convenient and comfortable at first, but you need to make sure that your work doesn\u2019t take over your life. It\u2019s important to set clear boundaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you find yourself answering work calls throughout the entire day, something is clearly wrong with your work-life balance. At a certain point, you need to log out, switch off, and focus on living your life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A virtual receptionist<\/a> is the ideal solution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you enlist the help of one of these professionals, you can delegate phone calls and focus instead on growing and expanding as a solo entrepreneur. <\/p>\n\n\n This means you\u2019re spending more time building your business, building your brand, exploring new opportunities, and boosting profit margins. With a virtual receptionist, jobs that are more important than answering a phone call take center stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s how a virtual receptionist for small business<\/strong> can help:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Always do your research and weigh up virtual receptionist pros and cons before choosing a solution that makes sense for your business. That being said, a virtual receptionist is clearly an effective choice for a wide range of potential applications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You might assume that hiring a receptionist is costly and that it negates many of the benefits of a remote business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After all, hiring a receptionist means organizing some kind of workspace for them and paying them an annual wage\u2026 right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wrong. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the modern era, receptionists have become more accessible and affordable than ever before. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Virtual receptionists can carry out their tasks remotely \u2013 just like you. You don\u2019t need to worry about where they\u2019ll work, as a third-party agency will handle these details. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In other words, you get to maintain and expand your remote business model without hiring additional employees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your business can grow effectively with virtual receptionists. <\/strong>Remote tasks that were previously in dire need of attention can be handled effectively without causing unnecessary distractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, virtual receptionists are incredibly affordable. While a completely free virtual receptionist<\/strong> is sadly impossible, there\u2019s no need to spend a fortune on this service. Unlike a traditional receptionist, you can enlist the help of a live receptionist for a minuscule fraction of a typical annual wage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This service is a viable option for even the smallest businesses with minimal budgets. On that same note, a virtual receptionist can be equally effective for successful, high-earning solo entrepreneurs who just want to keep operating costs as low as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019d like to check out your options for virtual receptionists, check out Alliance Virtual Offices<\/a>. Live Receptionist services start at just $125 per month, and they include unlimited minutes, voicemail, appointment scheduling, and much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A cheap virtual receptionist<\/strong> service can completely transform your business, leading to better reviews, long-lasting customer loyalty, and plenty of new opportunities for profit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Remote businesses can benefit tremendously from having their employees work remotely \u2013 or having no employees at all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Further Reading:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Thankfully, you don\u2019t have to sacrifice this remote-focused structure when you hire a virtual receptionist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These employees can also work remotely, and you can hire one through a third-party service like Alliance Virtual Offices to reduce costs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe Most Important Challenge Faced by Small, Remote Businesses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nHow a Virtual Receptionist Can Help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe Most Common Misconception of Hiring a Receptionist Today<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nFinal Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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