Jennifer M. Cronkhite

Patching is essentially call center lingo for transferring a caller to your team. Patching is frequently used by switchboard operators, virtual receptionist and after-hours emergency dispatchers. In the telephone answering service industry, there are two common ways callers can be patched including, warm and cold.

Which is better, using a telephone answering service or a virtual assistant? Well, no one can answer that question except for you. In fact, the real question is, “Which style of support is best for you?” To gain some clarity, you must understand the basics of each style and then determine your needs. Which is why you should continue reading this article. You'll learn about answering services, virtual assistants and call centers. Then we'll walk you through some basic questions to determine your needs. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of how to choose the right service for your business.

  It's 2021 and websites are supporting an increasingly large amount of the sales process for brands. When a customer or prospect uses the phone to contact your business, they are looking for answers that they couldn't find online. And whoever answers the phone for your business might be the first and only point of human contact that they have with your company.

There are many reasons for business owners to consider hiring a telephone answering service. These include providing 24/7 availability, improving customer service, and enhancing customer-facing communication. However, did you know that if you hire the right answering service, they can also help you increase your sales? Here are seven ways that a phone answering service can help you close more sales.