The Phone Call That Matters
It's just a phone call. Wrong! It's your next customer and you can not afford to lose them. All your money depends on how you answer the phone, carry on conversation and bring closure. That's why I can not imagine why people have music on the answer machine that's too loud or sounds like a bad connection. Or better yet when they answer the phone, you hear a full orchestra, the top 10 R&B, rap or rock tunes booming. Or they are broadcasting their TV on their surround sound home system.
If you are in business for yourself, why would you scare your customer off with such poor etiquette? First impressions are everything and the phone call shows how you will treat the client throughout the business relationship. It's up to you to determine what your conversation manifests. You should be thinking growth, expansion money -- not in a feverish, craving way but a smart, professional business way. Believe it or not, good phone etiquette has not changed. So let's review the better of the BEST.
Whether you have a home-based business or office, you should always answer the phone one of the following ways:
Top 5 Ways to Answer the Phone
1. In the company name
2. Greeting (good morning, good afternoon, good evening), company name, "How may I help you?"
3. If the name is to long or not clearly understood, use the last four digits in the phone number like "4243. How may I help you?"
4. Greeting, company name
5. Introduce yourself, company name, "How may I direct your call?"
The background noise should either be complete silence (highly recommended) or music of your choice playing very softly (meaning less than audible to the caller) in the background. Your attention should be on the person you are speaking to on the phone, not someone else in the room or what you did last night.
Last but not least, if you are sleeping, sleep. Do not answer the phone and try to play it off, people can tell.
About the Author
Jacquéline Edwards is a Business Solution Analyst with over 15 years experience for Business Pipeline, Inc., a Business Development and Professional Training Firm designed to assist entrepreneurs, small businesses and corporations in key methods, strategies, support and resources to help start, manage and grow a business.
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