Hi All,

I have a dilemma and would love some input. I currently run my VA business off an 800 number from Kall8. I have a client who runs their business out of their home office and does not use a service like Ring Central where employees/departments are assigned extensions. It's just a regular single-line phone number.

When I make phone calls for the client, I give out my own number which is my business line. If I'm in the office, I answer using my name. If I'm not in the office, the caller gets my voicemail which has a greeting specific to my VA business. Needless to say, this greeting confuses vendors as they are expecting to reach someone from my client's office, not a VA business.

I really don't want to change my business greeting to a generic, "Hi, this is Jill" type of greeting, but I'm not sure what other options I have. I'm able to route my business calls to voicemail at 5pm and I really don't want to use my cell phone as many of the contacts are on the west coast and my cell would be ringing well into the evening.

Anyone have a good solution or suggestion?

I appreciate the help! Thanks!

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Jill Tirone
DanceFit Marketing LLC

I use "You have reached the office of Lee Drozak...." since I take calls for many clients I wanted it to be generic. I changed it because of that very reason. I still to this day get people who can be confused when calling.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Thanks for your feedback, Lee. This is the direction I'm leaning until I find some fun, high-tech solution.

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Jill Tirone
DanceFit Marketing LLC

Jill,
If you can get an invite from someone, try Google voice. You can set up a phone number just for that client and have any calls forwarded to your home phone. It can show the google voice number on your caller ID so you know to answer it with your clients greeting. Also, you can set up the voice mail greeting so no one is confused.

Good luck,
~C

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~Christina|BD Mag|VOSTeam

Thanks Christina,

I was looking into Google Voice yesterday, but I didn't want to take the time to try and figure it out if it wasn't going to be a good fit for me and the client.

Your explanation is great and sounds like it might be a good option.

Here's a question -- does that number somehow attach itself to my gmail account? Not sure if it makes a difference, but I really want to keep client work separate from my gmail (unless I set up a specific gmail address for this client only).

I'll try and swing an invite and try it out!

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Jill Tirone
DanceFit Marketing LLC

You only sign in with your gmail account- nothing shows your gmail address to anyone.

You can set up where notifications are emailed.

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~Christina|BD Mag|VOSTeam

Is google voice a free service? How does it compare to Skype? What other options are out there?

Thank you,

Jody

Originally Posted by VirtualAssistant

Is google voice a free service? How does it compare to Skype? What other options are out there? Thank you, Jody

Google Voice is free but you need an invite from Google or from someone who has invites left in his/her account.

It's different from Skype because Google Voice needs a working phone number to work. You can not use Google Voice as itself. Google Voice bridge your call (originating and terminating) and connects it and its free.

You can make free long distance calls from your landline without internet or computer.

Skype needs internet and a computer if you don't have a Skype phone. Skype is only free if you are going to call another Skype user. It is not free for calling a landline or mobile phone.

I'd say try to apply for a Google invite at Google website. Sometimes you can get it within a week, sometimes it will take months. Or you can always ask around for invites. Sorry I run out of invites many months ago.

May I add that Google Voice is only free for the US and people like me who live in other countries will have to wait a little longer to get it :c

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Marta Vaquero
www.idelega.com

Jill,

That was a great question to ask! And, thanks everyone else for informative answers. I'm just getting started and have been reluctant to take on clients who want phone assistance for fear of getting calls confused (or having my children answer!).

~Seneca

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Seneca Brashear
Providing quality assistance to small business owners