Hi, I just had a call from a DJ who received a intro letter from me awhile back and he is looking for someone to answer his 800 number during the day, M-F. He said 99% of the questions asked by callers can be answered off of his web page or he could print something out for me.
Any ideas on how to charge him? He said the calls range from 1 or 2 a day to 1 or 2 an hour and most last about 15 minutes, so should I charge him in those increments or by the phone call? He also mentioned that eventually he'd like email inquiries answered, so charge per email or in 15 minute increments?
I'd charge for time with a 15 minute minimum charge/call. But then, I'd want to charge a lot because the whole reason I'm doing this is to not have to be tied to a phone.
I'm not even putting a phone number on my business cards.
For emails I'd also do a time-based charge. Then you can just block out X hour(s) per day and do just that.
I don't answer phones for people, but when I worked as an office manager we had an answering service. They charged us a base monthly fee that covered X amount of calls, then a per call charge for every call over the base amount.
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Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services
I would charge a set monthly or weekly fee that the two of you feel is fair for the amount of work. If the work turns out to be more than you anticipated when the fee is set, let him know and renegotiate. This could all definitely work out in your favor.
I don't do phones either
If you use the search feature at the top of the menu to find threads on the topic you'll come up with some good results - I know we've had at least two or three conversations about this very topic...
I'm so sorry Tess, I was tired when I posted this and it didn't even cross my mind to do a search, or to double check what forum to post it in...Again I apologize!
Originally Posted by Tess
I don't do phones either
If you use the search feature at the top of the menu to find threads on the topic you'll come up with some good results - I know we've had at least two or three conversations about this very topic...
Oh goodness, no need to apologize at all! It's a big site - I just wanted to share past threads because I recall some of them getting plenty of answers!
Forums are organic - the same questions get asked a lot, old threads get revived - it's all good!
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I currently offer virtual reception services (I haven't had any inquiries as of yet though).
However, I am am offering said services in addition to my virtual assistance services. Basically, a client pays me X amount of money for X amount of hours month...they get the benefit of my reception and va services. I have a setup fee for phone services too.
Should I have people contacting me for phone services only, I will charge clients for X amount of phone calls, then an additional amount for calls exceeding the original X amount. Hope that makes sense and helps. Also, will you be handling voice mails and returning those calls too? Be sure to average that into your fee if you are, as well.
Thank you everyone for your responses!
After going over my notes of our conversation, and reading these and other responses, I'm going to refer him to Intelligent Office, (the local franchise), for the phone calls but offer to handle his emails, and any other correspondence billed at a rate per each.
Thanks again!
V
What to charge for phone calls?
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