Who answers your phone?

[elkgond1]

I rent a room from a chiropractor. One of my "benefits" is that his office staff answers the phone and makes my appointments for me. I was recently discussing this arrangement with a friend who didn't think too much of this arrangement. She seems to think that when the office staff answers the phone "Doctor's office" that someone who isn't familiar with me will think they have the wrong number or other wise think that my massage practice is in cahoots with the DC and go else where for massage. I've asked the office staff if the number of hang ups has risen since I joined the practice, they said it hadn't. I asked if many people call asking about massage and don't schedule? They said that most people who call do schedule, although about 99% of my clientele is word of mouth referals. So? What is your opinion? Do you think I should get a business cell phone and schedule my own appointments or let it all alone?

 

[Ekklesia]

I think my answer would be both.  Do get a business cell phone and let it alone.  Ok, this sounds a little strange but I like the idea of people being able to get a hold of you personally if they wish or they can call the doctor's office.  Of course everyone is different.  Some therapist's don't like their clients to have a direct line to them.  I have always thought that it's a good idea.  They can reach me whenever they'd like.  If I don't want to talk, guess what?  I don't answer the phone.  It is VERY convenient and a really nice "perk" that you have someone able to answer the phone to schedule your appointments.  You don't want to lose that either.  Everybody runs their business different.  It's really about what works for you.  

 

[RadioVideo]

I love being able to go home after work and not worry about answering the phone!  I don't think I've ever had a problem with being affiliated with a doctor's office.  It's always nice to get referrals from the doctor too.If it were a day spa answering the phone, would your clients think you were in cahoots with the day spa?  Unless your DC has a shady reputation...  If most of your referrals are by word of mouth anyway, I would think those clients would be up for at least giving you a try.I do give some of my clients my cell phone for scheduling.  Some don't like our receptionist, and I'm more than happy to accomodate them.Katykangaroo

 

[link]

Who answers your phone?

The staff for the Dr. that I IC for answers the phone.  I have many issues with this since messages aren't forwarded to me or picked up on the machine, appointments aren't made properly, ect.  But, that is in that office.  It hopefully isn't the case where you are.  Like Katykangaroo, there is one secretary in this office that the patients/clients don't like.  They would rather deal with me so I have given a few my number to contact me directly.  This has not been a problem.  I like being able to have them contact me directly.   IMO, If the staff at the Chiropractor's is organized, polite and professional, I would let them do the appointments for you.  But, I agree with terab and think that you should also have a number that they can contact you directly at.  That way you can handle the more specific or pressing calls yourself.  The office should be able to handle making appointments, but you should be involved since you are trying to run a business too.  Also in your marketing, you might want to add in the name of the office you will be renting from, this might solve any confusion.  You might also consider placing a sign in the office regarding massage, so people are aware you are there.This office has "massage therapist available" listed in their yellow page ad.  The staff answers the phone with the name of the office.  The office used to have a second phone number for tanning and massage, but it has since been disconnected and the only two things it was listed in was the yellow pages and on ValuPak coupons that the office ran for tanning discounts.  It was never really used or answered for that matter. Hope this helps.

 

[Suicidal Elite]

I think if you are satisfied with how the office staff is handling your appts and scheduling then you are most likely alright.  I understand your friends concern though and think having your own number listed would be helpful for those clients who don't want to go through a doc's office.  Cell phones are relatively cheap these days and are incredibly helpful in this way.I have been in a couple of situations where I didn't handle my own phone calls and appt scheduling which created a lot of missed calls, missed opportunities, lost numbers, appts written down wrong -- not to mention -- strange schedules.  I have solved that by using my cell phone number.  When people call and I'm in session or otherwise unavailable they hear my message, leave me a message and I return their calls.  I've only had a few people hang up and not leave me a message.  It has saved me a lot of hassles and allows me direct contact with my clients.

 

[C0lOMBiiAN-BABee]

I'd keep it as simple as possible.If the doctors office is doing a good job, let them keep doing it.You risk the problem of double-booking when you and the doctors office are doing the scheduling.  Unless you have the ability to always keep check of what the books are doing at any given minute and know they don't schedule someone during a phone call, when you are also getting and scheduling a phone call, then I wouldn't do it.But, if you are going to use the cell phone to tell people to then call the doctors office to book the appointment, you may be ok.Good luck!

 

[DueNov17th2009]

Who answers your phone?

I rent a room from a chiropractor. One of my "benefits" is that his office staff answers the phone and makes my appointments for me.

I was recently discussing this arrangement with a friend who didn't think too much of this arrangement. She seems to think that when the office staff answers the phone "Doctor's office" that someone who isn't familiar with me will think they have the wrong number or other wise think that my massage practice is in cahoots with the DC and go else where for massage.

I've asked the office staff if the number of hang ups has risen since I joined the practice, they said it hadn't. I asked if many people call asking about massage and don't schedule? They said that most people who call do schedule, although about 99% of my clientele is word of mouth referals.

So? What is your opinion? Do you think I should get a business cell phone and schedule my own appointments or let it all alone?

Dear gr8hands,

I had a local answering service the 4th year of my commercial massage practice, 5 or so years ago.

I  paid $150 a month.

I took  at least $500. of appointments through that answering service monthly.

$150. or more is some of the massages I have missed monthly because I - or, someone else didn't answer the phone.

It can usually pay for itself if you have a very good answering/appointment setting service. And, this may help give you extra massage business.

Supply them with very complete information about you in an easy to find format so they can answer questions about You more easily. Maybe also share with your office answering service you have now so they are more clear on how to talk with people about your massage service.

As for

"So? What is your opinion? Do you think I should get a business cell phone and schedule my own appointments or let it all alone? "

I think it may be good to offer your clients an extra telephone number or, e-mail address where you may make more of your massage appointments. (Of course, scheduling with chiropractor's office in advance or timely).

Many if not most times, this can be so easily done with repeat clients. No explaining much, mainly just clarifying.

Appointment times and length of massage?

You usually get massage in or out call so that point is usually unsaid.

 

[Kissi]

I have 2, andworking on a 3rd arrangement. آ The salon where I rent space does most of the scheduling. آ Sometimes they do a good job, sometimes not. آ I used my cell phone # for my yellow pages ad, thinking that I may not stay in this location forever. آ The 3rd is a new salon opening where I plan to work part of the time, they will do the scheduling. آ Gonna get confusing, and hopefully busy! آ mickWell, as of the end of June, I'm long done with salon 1 and salon 2  is still not scheduling any clients.  So, I use my cell phone for all scheduling at my new location.  Independance!

 

[Suburbia]

Who answers your phone?

Anyone tried that "My Receptionist" service I've seen in the massage mags? The price is pretty comparable to a cell plan ($40/month), and I can see the advaneforum.xxxe of having someone available to answer questions, give directions, etc while I'm with clients.

 

[nicepuddin]

Who answers your phone?

The salon where I rent space usually takes my calls but I'm slowly but surely trying to switch to using my cell phone. I'm changing the number on printed materials, etc. I haven't had a problem with them answering the phone but I like to take my own calls. Sometimes people have questions that the salon staff can't answer.

 

[Newbie555]

I rent from a salon and they answer the phone and schedule appts for me.  They have my brochure and can generally answer basic questions.  If they ever have a question they can't answer they let me know right away so I can get back the the client or they give the client my cell (I also print this on my business cards).  There have been very few problems with this arrangement.  I think its always better to get a real live person than a message.  I highly doubt anyone would be turned off because a doctor's office answers the phone.

 

[ClassicManalo]

From a consumer standpoint I absolutely despise answering services. They are rarely helpful, and honestly, when you get a live person on the phone you expect them to at least know the address, the hours of operation and some other basic things. My experience has been that they don't or they can't find the slip of paper with that info. Nothing irks me more than to have to guess when to call back to NOT get the answering service!Okay, sorry for my little rant. But I certainly don't mind getting the machine and leaving a message. I'd much rather leave a message on the machine or voicemail than to have to deal with an unknowing, uninformed answering service. My $0.02.