Virtual Receptionist

[Charlie Brown]

I urgently need a Virtual receptionist/agent to take my calls and emails whilst I'm away.

Does anybody have a few ideas?

I'm a bit stuck.

[yourdj]

And your mum or similar

Do they not have the internet on the boat? I would get rid of the number and just use email.

[Charlie Brown]

I don't think I'll have time on the boat.

[DazzyD]

But surely you'd need to make time to respond to the enquiries even if they are taken by a virtual PA?? People tend to look elsewhere if they don't get a response pretty quick.

I've used a virtual office in the past (a long time ago!) and it wasn't really worth the cost and hassle of setting up. It's nothing that a well worded answerphone message couldn't beat, anyway! In my opinion, of course!

[hammy]

alldayPa are good but the prices can be steep, If its just for phone calls then not too bad, You would be better on the "price per call" tarrif.

http://www.alldaypa.com/virtual-office

[Corabar Entertainment]

What exactly are you looking to achieve / how do you envisage it working, Charlie?

(If we've got a better idea, we might be able to give better answers)

[yourdj]

I don't think I'll have time on the boat.

You will have loads - it only takes an hour a day or so to communicate.
Drill in the morning and getting drunk from then on

Just make sure you can get the internet for free or sleep with the person in charge of it
Thats what people do on boats so I hear.

You can also put an auto responder explaining your situation if you will have times when you do not have time.

Also could you get Martin to make up a form, where people choose the reason for contacting you.
For example:

- enquiry
- already a customer
- sales/annoyance email

etc.

and then have a set response template.
The enquiry one can automatically send them a booking brochure pdf etc.

[Charlie Brown]

You will have loads - it only takes an hour a day or so to communicate.
Drill in the morning and getting drunk from then on

Just make sure you can get the internet for free or sleep with the person in charge of it
Thats what people do on boats so I hear.

You're such a You make me laugh.

Angela, I need someone to pick up the phone and send out my standard email template with PDF OR if somebody emails me their playlist an agent can reply saying 'Thank you very much, your file has been updated'

If somebody wants to arrange a consultation, they can. The agent can book them in for when I'm back. At least it keeps clients engaged & interested. I've been in Skegvagus for just over a week (came back at the weekend to gig) but I've come back to tons of emails and calls. I would hate to come back to two months worth of the stuff!

I wouldn't expect people to take deposits or draw up contracts etc.

I've rang round and the cheapest so far is £25 a month for line rental (they set me up a phone number) and then charge 60p per minute for phone calls & £1 an email.

I can't vanish off the face of the earth. Couples were get stressed etc. I need work to come back too as well.

[Excalibur]

Would it be more cost effective, and perhaps more customer friendly to have a flesh and blood receptionist? In these days of part time working, and working from home, couldn't you find someone to do what you need for a sensible sum? Also, they could perhaps email you if something untoward occurred.

[discomobiledj]

Have you not got a trusted friend or family member you could bung a couple of quid to?