A lot of beginners start by providing service only for these intermittent users. These people “put out the word” that if they can’t be reached at their regular number after 4 or 5 rings, the caller should dial the number of the answering service. The answering service, which in this case is just a housewife answering her home phone, takes the caller’s message and either relays it to the customer or holds it until he checks in with her. Very simple, very easy and very profitable!

Usually after such a “shoestring” operation has 15 to 20 customers. it’s necessary to install a phone with multiple incoming lines. The cost and questions of the phone company can be allayed by purchasing your own telephone and explaining that your have several teenagers in the family. However, once you have 35 to 50 customers it’s time to expand into a commercial operation complete with switchboard and hired operators.

The average rates to charge for your service should be about $35 per month for a specified number of calls–usually 70 to 75—with a surcharge of 25 cents for each call beyond that number. Other calls such as “wake-up” and reminder calls for appointments, are usually billed on a “per call” basis at about 50 cents per call.

Most telephone answering services provide a variety of other services to keep their operators busy during the times when there are no incoming calls. These services range form typing, envelope addressing, computer input services, envelope stuffing, subscription soliciting and order fulfillment for mail order operators to reviewing books for publishing agents. In recent years, some have even included private post office, mail drop and forwarding services. The important thing is to keep your operators busy doing some kind of work that makes money for you.

When you decide to lease an office get going, complete with switchboard–it’s important that you try to get as close to the telephone company’s switching or exchange station as possible. This is due to the mileage charges it’ll cost you for landlines. Remember too that each exchange station handles prefixes limited to customers within a certain radius of that station. What all of this means is that if most of the businesses in your area have a 234 and 345 prefix, you’ll want to locate your answering services offices as close to the station serving these prefixes as possible. Basic installation and set-up of one switchboard will cost you close to $4,000…

Generally, a metro population of 35,000 people will support a telephone answering service hoping for $50,000 per year; 75,000 to 80,000 people will be needed for $100,000 and $150,000 people for $200,000 per year or more. For more help and further information, it would be wise to contact the Associated Telephone Answering Exchange, Inc. This organization the industry’s watchdog group can up-date you on current practices and trends.

Related post with How to Start a Telephone Answering Service

How to Start a Telephone Answering Service (part 1)
How to Start a Telephone Answering Service: Switchboard
How to Start a Telephone Answering Service: Setting up Facilities
How to Start a Telephone Answering Service: The traditional Telephone Company Switchboard
How to Start a Telephone Answering Service: Maintaining Basic Customer Information
How to Start a Telephone Answering Service: Qualifications to Look for in an Operator