Google Voice is a great idea, however like Lee I also have my regular business voicemail simply stating "You have reached the voicemail of Darlene Victoria..." without stating my business name. I do this simply because I do a lot of calls on behalf of my clients. Even though I do give my clients' phone number for returning a call, every so often I will have someone calling for a client call my business phone because they saw it on their caller ID. I don't mind it and it lessens the confusion. Plus, the first point of contact I prefer for my own business is email, followed by phone.

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Darlene Victoria Gonzalez
The Voice & Vision Behind Your Business

Greetings, can someone with phone answering experience talk specifics when quoting for answering a client's phone, returning calls when needed? My VA service is one that will offer high-end customer service, along with offering administrative services, such as letter typing, email, etc. I just can't seem to get an idea as to where to start with pricing. Everyone says to be sure you price to cover yourself, but, I am not sure where to start (or what that PRICE even is). I see some of you offer a package deal that has X amount of hours for X $$'s, but what does that, say 5 hour package include, and how are phone calls factored into this package price, or, are they an add-on? Thank you so very much for this awesome resource! Gayle

Excellent forum! Thanks for all the info shared. I was able to sign up for my Google number successfully. Another step in the VA business setup completed thanks to you all!

Hi Cindy,

Glad you were able to get your Google Voice number. Since my last post, I was also able to sign up for a number. I was lucky enough to get a local number that has the same last four digits of my 800 number so I'm happy with the consistency. I've also changed all my voicemail greetings to a generic "You have reached the office of..." greeting which is working out very well for me and my clients.

Take care.

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Jill Tirone
DanceFit Marketing LLC

I love using the Google Voice - I have it forwarded to my main line, with caller ID.
That way, when I see "GVoice Call" I know to answer the line with my client's greeting.
I also set my main line voicemail to not pick up until after 30 seconds - that way the Google Voice calls get my client's greeting, and calls that go direct to my main line get my Voicemail greeting.

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Warmest Regards,
Stephanie - Essential Pursuit, Inc.

I don't know ANYTHING about this but -- I use MagicJack - (a little jack I plug into my computer or laptop anywhere and can call anywhere in U.S. -- if I am out of U.S. (I wish could travel) I can use it to call into U.S. and they have other options as well. I got this as a designated line for my business but ended up getting rid of my landline totally.

When you first purchase it you have to buy the jack and service - I think it is like $30. This is the 3rd year I have renewed it - at $19.95/year (could have gotten 5 years for $69.95) It has free conference calling, voice mail, call forwarding etc. A feature I like is that all voice messages are also forwarded to my email.

I did use this last year for a client. I actually bought one so they would have their specific number. I had that one set up to go to my email address so I could triage calls -- but of course you could have that number's voice mail to go to any email address (including client)... This person is no longer my client, I gave her the magicjack as a parting gift and as far as I know - still using it.

Hi Jill,

One thing comes to mind.. Maybe you could suggest to your client a service that offers a free 800 number. I answer calls for a client and they use Grasshopper which gives them their own 888 number. When the calls come in to my number, I see their number in my caller ID and know which client it goes with so I can answer appropriately. As far as voicemail, if I miss a call, it goes into their box with their greeting and all I do is listen to the vm and return the call.

Good luck

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Simone M. Pohl
Executive Virtual Services