Answer your #&*% phone!

[rob allen]

Are you hungry? I called and texted 15 landscape companies form Craigslist today. Only one answered and said hello but sounded like hell. if you don't answer your phone or return messages quickly don't expect to grow or be successful. Let me give you an example of being hungry when I was young.

It was after hours and a client called in. I usually don't answer at 7 in the evening but I was hungry then because I needed work. I noticed from caller ID that it was from a good area. I answered and the lady said I live in the Great Neck area nd need some cleaning done,do you work in crews? I said no and before I could say another word she hung up. I was not put off and did not get angry. Instead I did this;

"I called back the number and said ma'am I would just like to let you know something,you may find a crew but you will not find a better cleaning service. I will show up on time,clean cut,uniformed and in a nice lettered van with professional equipment. I will do you a great job and back it up with a 100% guarantee."

Well she was quiet for a minute and she said I like your tenacity. When can you come over? It lead to a 600.00 job,she repeats and refers. And I because I answered my phone and then would not give up. Winners never give up. Sure i may lose some but I won't lose many. And when the guys who don't answer their phones or sound like hell when they do I will take the ball and run for touchdown baby!

So for gods sake,answer your phones and answer them professionally!

 

[Gasoline]

Craigslist? Really? Sorry. That's just funny in your stage in life.

 

[aloha one]

Are you hungry? I called and texted 15 landscape companies form Craigslist today. Only one answered and said hello but sounded like hell. if you don't answer your phone or return messages quickly don't expect to grow or be successful. Let me give you an example of being hungry when I was young.

It was after hours and a client called in. I usually don't answer at 7 in the evening but I was hungry then because I needed work. I noticed from caller ID that it was from a good area. I answered and the lady said I live in the Great Neck area nd need some cleaning done,do you work in crews? I said no and before I could say another word she hung up. I was not put off and did not get angry. Instead I did this;

"I called back the number and said ma'am I would just like to let you know something,you may find a crew but you will not find a better cleaning service. I will show up on time,clean cut,uniformed and in a nice lettered van with professional equipment. I will do you a great job and back it up with a 100% guarantee."

Well she was quiet for a minute and she said I like your tenacity. When can you come over? It lead to a 600.00 job,she repeats and refers. And I because I answered my phone and then would not give up. Winners never give up. Sure i may lose some but I won't lose many. And when the guys who don't answer their phones or sound like hell when they do I will take the ball and run for touchdown baby!

So for gods sake,answer your phones and answer them professionally!


View attachment 49162

Absolutely Correct Rob...Single Quickest way to lose work. For guys just starting out this can at times be difficult. They must answer their own phones yet do not want to be answering phones while on the job in someones home..Just looks bad..They are paying for your undivided attention. I have lost hundreds of jobs while in my infancy years by waiting until I complete the job and then calling them back. More often than not..."I already hired someone"...CLICK! Do you have any suggestions on how solo operators without a phone service can lessen the losses?

 

[aloha one]

Absolutely Correct Rob...Single Quickest way to lose work. For guys just starting out this can at times be difficult. They must answer their own phones yet do not want to be answering phones while on the job in someones home..Just looks bad..They are paying for your undivided attention. I have lost hundreds of jobs while in my infancy years by waiting until I complete the job and then calling them back. More often than not..."I already hired someone"...CLICK! Do you have any suggestions on how solo operators without a phone service can lessen the losses?

Since Rob wont reply? He's probably in the Mirror admiring his good looks! lol... Does ANYONE have any suggestions?

 

[igare]

Since Rob wont reply? He's probably in the Mirror admiring his good looks! lol... Does ANYONE have any suggestions?

Hire an answering service, I may look expensive, but at the end it pays off by not missing any calls from possible customers & sound more professional.

 

[rob allen]

Craigslist? Really? Sorry. That's just funny in your stage in life.

My landscaper called and said he broke his leg. I needed the work done right away so I talked to Craigslist. Believe it or not I had everything done did a great job and half the price my landscaper charges. The kid that showed was hungry. Plus he's coming to my shop to do odd jobs.

Heck I might start using the more LOL.

 

[aloha one]

My landscaper called and said he broke his leg. I needed the work done right away so I talked to Craigslist. Believe it or not I had everything done did a great job and half the price my landscaper charges. The kid that showed was hungry. Plus he's coming to my shop to do odd jobs.

Heck I might start using the more LOL.

Most will do decent work when they're 'Hungry' the true test comes in when they get their 'Belly Full'.

 

[Prosteam-sonomacounty]

I made a thread about this very subject not long ago.
Not answering yer phone live is boner poison.
One of the fastest ways to shoot yourself in the foot.
So many times I search for a service only to get an answering machine or an answering service.
Unless there's no other option, I don't even bother leaving a message.
I just move on to the next one like most do.

 

[aloha one]

Hire an answering service, I may look expensive, but at the end it pays off by not missing any calls from possible customers & sound more professional.

Agree if one can afford it. Was more referring to those that cannot.

 

[Gasoline]

My landscaper called and said he broke his leg. I needed the work done right away so I talked to Craigslist. Believe it or not I had everything done did a great job and half the price my landscaper charges. The kid that showed was hungry. Plus he's coming to my shop to do odd jobs.

Heck I might start using the more LOL.

I am sure there are quality landscapers out there on crazylist. I am just surprised you went that route. Me, I ask my neighbors for who they use first. Second, I talk to my realtor who has a vip list that she recommends. Third, I ask my current service techs that help me out around the house...ie painter, general contractor, electrician, etc. And I am no where near your ballpark in terms of success.

For example, I dealt with some flaky local people on fb trying to yard sale some things. It's not worth the hassle. And I know crazylist is the same sort of deal. I am glad it worked out for you though.

 

[Gasoline]

My landscaper called and said he broke his leg. I needed the work done right away so I talked to Craigslist. Believe it or not I had everything done did a great job and half the price my landscaper charges. The kid that showed was hungry. Plus he's coming to my shop to do odd jobs.

Heck I might start using the more LOL.

Landscaping emergency! lmao Quick get the round up!

 

[cwill]

I made a thread about this very subject not long ago.
Not answering yer phone live is boner poison.
One of the fastest ways to shoot yourself in the foot.
So many times I search for a service only to get an answering machine or an answering service.
Unless there's no other option, I don't even bother leaving a message.
I just move on to the next one like most do.

Any suggestions for o/o just starting out? I have couple neighbors that are stay at home moms. I thought about giving them a phone and giving 10 bucks for every set appt. But they have young kids, almost just rather have to call people back. Not like my phone is gonna be ringing a lot at first anyway.

 

[Joe cool]

Having all the answers over the phone shows respect of professionalism .

 

[Prosteam-sonomacounty]

Any suggestions for o/o just starting out? I have couple neighbors that are stay at home moms. I thought about giving them a phone and giving 10 bucks for every set appt. But they have young kids, almost just rather have to call people back. Not like my phone is gonna be ringing a lot at first anyway.

Easy.
Like you said, calls will be few and far between...
It is crucial however that you pick up in person, especially if yer unestablished.
Bump the calls to yer cell and answer them on the job if you have to.
Also get a Bluetooth speaker for your car.

 

[cwill]

Easy.
Like you said, calls will be few and far between...
It is crucial however that you pick up in person, especially if yer unestablished.
Bump the calls to yer cell and answer them on the job if you have to.
Also get a Bluetooth speaker for your car.

I wear bluetooth while driving and cleaning. Just haven't felt comfortable answering calls in custys home.

 

[True Pro]

I have a blue tooth and have no problem answering the phone is a customers house.
Just excuse yourself if you're in front of the customer.

Snooze you lose.

 

[Prosteam-sonomacounty]

I wear bluetooth while driving and cleaning. Just haven't felt comfortable answering calls in custys home.

It only takes a few minutes to schedule a job.
My wife does an hour exercise class every morning and bumps the calls to my cell.
It never gets to be a problem.

 

[rob allen]

It only takes a few minutes to schedule a job.
My wife does an hour exercise class every morning and bumps the calls to my cell.
It never gets to be a problem.

Call forwarding was a godsend was it not?

 

[emeraldclean]

I wear bluetooth while driving and cleaning. Just haven't felt comfortable answering calls in custys home.

Do what I do .. don't answer when dealing directly with home owner when your phone rings . When working and phone rings take the call , if need be say may I call you back in 30 mins etc
I answer my own phone , sometimes it goes to message center if I can't take it in person but most times I answer. I also have a helper so it makes it easier .
If your just starting out every call is important. Me 80% of my work are repeats they will leave a message. Don't be afraid to use your call display if you miss a call and they don't leave a message.
But ya... my cell phone is my work number and it is very important for me that it is answered.

 

[Art Kelley]

Any suggestions for o/o just starting out? I have couple neighbors that are stay at home moms. I thought about giving them a phone and giving 10 bucks for every set appt. But they have young kids, almost just rather have to call people back. Not like my phone is gonna be ringing a lot at first anyway.

I had a woman answer my calls for 20 years. She was pregnant with her 4th kid when she started. It worked out well, Occasionally one of the little bastards would be screaming while she was on the phone but the customers just thought it was cute. Eventually I replaced her with a cell phone in my pocket and that saved 1K per month. It's not that hard to answer your own phone nowadays as it was back in the day of no cell phones and an answering machine like in the Rockford Files.