As a tradie, if you’re sick and tired of playing phone tag or missing out on valuable jobs because you’re elbow-deep in work, it’s time to sort out your call management game. But before we dive into the nitty-gritty, you may wonder what a call management solution actually is.
What’s a call management solution?
Simply put, it’s a tool or service that helps you handle incoming calls more efficiently, even when you’re busy on the job. It can act like a personal assistant for your phone calls. For a tradie, it means you can focus on your work without worrying about missing important calls or potential work opportunities.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s break down the various options out there and help you find the perfect fit for your business. After all, the right call management solution can be a game-changer for your trade business, saving you time to focus on what matters most.
The Tradie’s Phone Dilemma
We’ve all been there – you’re up a ladder, hands full of tools, and your phone starts buzzing like an angry bee.
Do you risk life and limb to answer it, or let it go to voicemail and potentially miss out on a big job? It’s a classic catch-22 for tradies everywhere.
But fear not! There’s a whole range of solutions out there to help you manage your calls like a boss.
Let’s dive into the options and weigh up the pros and cons.
Professional Voicemail Greetings: The Bare Minimum
Alright, let’s start with the basics. A professional voicemail greeting is like putting on a clean shirt for a job – it’s the bare minimum you should be doing.
Key Features:
- Personalised voicemail greetings
- Include details like working hours, email address, and response time
Pros:
- It’s dead easy to set up
- Helps manage customer expectations
- Won’t cost you a cent (usually comes with your phone plan)
Cons:
- It’s not exactly revolutionary in making your life easier
🤑 Price: Included in most phone provider plans
👉 Best for: Every tradie out there. Seriously, if you haven’t got this sorted, hop to it!
Impact on your business and lifestyle:
About as impactful as a fly landing on your ute.
Telco Call Management Features: For the Tech-Savvy Tradie
Next up, we’ve got the call management features that come with most phone plans these days. Think caller ID, call screening, and all that jazz.
Key Features:
- Caller ID
- Call screening
- Do not disturb
- Call blocking
Pros:
- Helps you dodge those pesky spam calls
- Keeps you focused on the job at hand
Cons:
- You might need to be a bit of a tech whiz to get it all working smoothly
- There’s a risk you might miss out on genuine job opportunities
🤑 Price: Included in most telecom plans or phone settings
👉 Best for: Tradies who know their way around a smartphone and just need basic call management
Impact on your business and lifestyle:
It’ll make a difference, but don’t expect miracles.
Cloud-Based Phone System: The Professional Touch
Now we’re talking! A cloud-based phone system can give your one-person band the feel of a proper corporate outfit.
Key Features:
- Virtual phone number (e.g.: 1300/1800/local numbers)
- Call forwarding
- Voice menu
Pros:
- Makes your business look more professional
- Keeps your personal number under wraps
- Can be a game-changer when paired with call management software like OnSilent
Cons:
- Unless you’re using it with something like OnSilent, it might not be tailor-made for tradies
🤑 Price: From $40/month for a virtual phone number with basic features
👉 Best for: Tradies who want to keep work and personal life separate, or those who don’t want their mobile number plastered all over their website, ute and other advertising materials.
Impact on your business and lifestyle:
Now we’re making great progress!
In-House Receptionist: The Old School Approach
For those of you running a bigger operation, you might be thinking about bringing someone in-house to handle your calls.
Key Features:
- Human touch
- Can handle complex tasks beyond call handling
- Potential to use OnSilent Software for efficient call handling
Pros:
- Adds that personal touch
- Can handle more than just call management
Cons:
- Can be tricky to manage multiple calls at once
- You’ll need to go through the whole hiring and training rigmarole
🤑 Price: From $230/day
👉 Best for: Established businesses that prefer the traditional approach to customer service
Impact on your business and lifestyle:
Can be a big help, but at a cost
Virtual Assistant: The Modern Middle Ground
A virtual assistant is like having a receptionist, but without the need to clear out the spare room in your office.
Key Features:
- Human touch
- Can handle complex tasks beyond call handling
- Potential to use OnSilent Software for efficient call handling
Pros:
- Can handle complex tasks beyond just answering the phone
- More flexible than an in-house receptionist
Cons:
- You’ll still need to hire and train them
- Potential for language barriers if you go for an offshore option
🤑 Price: Various plans available based on the provider. eg: For 50 calls/month: From $100/month for call answering and message taking
👉 Best for: Small to large trade businesses looking for flexibility
Impact on your business and lifestyle: Can be a real game-changer if you find the right fit
Call Management Software: The Tradie’s New Best Friend
Last but definitely not least, we’ve got call management software like OnSilent. This is where technology really starts to pull its weight.
Key Features:
- AI-Powered Voicemail summaries and transcriptions
- Email and SMS notifications
- Auto-reply suggestions
- Daily report to prioritise messages
- Instant auto-replies for quote requests and auto-referrals
- Multilingual support
- 24/7 availability
Pros:
- Can save you up to 7 hours a week (that’s almost a full workday!)
- Handles after-hours calls like a champ
- Lets you focus on the job without worrying about missing opportunities
- Easy to set up (we’re talking 5 minutes)
- Keeps your customers happy with quick responses
Cons:
- Won’t handle tasks that need a human touch
🤑 Price: From $49 per month for the Lite plan with various plans available based on your needs.
👉 Best for: Any tradie who wants to lift their business into the 21st century and win back some precious time
Impact on your business and lifestyle:
This is the big leagues, folks!
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, the right call management solution for you depends on your business size, budget, and how tech-savvy you are. But if you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, it’s hard to go past a solid call management software like OnSilent.
Remember, every missed call could be a missed opportunity. So don’t let your phone be the weak link in your business. Take control of your calls, and watch your business (and your free time) grow!
Ready to give it a crack? Check out OnSilent and see how it can transform your business. Your future self (and your stress levels) will thank you!
Disclaimer: The estimated costs and availability of services may vary based on your location and specific provider. Please verify the details with your service provider or vendor for the most accurate and up-to-date information.