| As a lawyer, you are often out of the office -- | | | | your case management software. Ask the lawyer |
| sometimes more than you are in it. If you worry | | | | answering service if the receptionist can e-mail the |
| about how potential-client calls are handled when you | | | | intake form and/or immediately connect the caller to |
| can't take them, consider hiring a lawyer answering | | | | you if you request it. You can save time and money |
| service. For much less than what you would pay a | | | | in retaining new clients when you take advantage of |
| full-time receptionist, a lawyer answering service | | | | these kinds of services. |
| provides call answering and receptionist services | | | | - Call protocols are another great way to personalize |
| around the clock, every day of the year. Here are | | | | the service your current and potential clients receive. |
| just a few of the benefits a lawyer answering | | | | Depending upon the lawyer answering service you |
| service provides: | | | | choose, you may be able to set up a variety of call |
| - There definitely is a difference between a general | | | | protocols that give agents detailed instructions on |
| answering service and a lawyer answering service. In | | | | how to handle possible call situations or to |
| addition to call-handling training that allows agents to | | | | immediately know which calls to connect directly to |
| be professional, confident, and knowledgeable in any | | | | you. Combined with virtual receptionist services, call |
| call situation, lawyer answering service agents receive | | | | protocols convey the personalized attention clients |
| special training to understand legal terminology, know | | | | look for and provide coverage beyond normal |
| the different types of law, and be able to classify | | | | business hours while saving you the additional |
| cases correctly. | | | | expense of a full-time employee. |
| - Many lawyer answering services provide virtual | | | | - Check with the lawyer answering service you are |
| receptionist services as well. When answering calls, | | | | considering to see if the plan includes call reports. |
| receptionists go beyond simply identifying your firm | | | | These reports provide metrics you can use to tailor |
| by name, and they give the impression they are part | | | | your marketing and/or sales messages. They also are |
| of your regular office staff. This service usually is not | | | | essential to track business growth. |
| part of general call answering. | | | | - Most lawyer answering services record calls and |
| - Another benefit of a lawyer answering service is | | | | should provide them to you upon request. Talk with |
| the ability of the agents or receptionists to schedule | | | | the companies you are considering in order to take |
| appointments. It's important to find out if the | | | | full advantage of the call-recording benefits they |
| appointment calendar is available to you online and if | | | | offer. If you prefer not to have calls recorded, you |
| it will sync to your Outlook calendar or whatever | | | | should be able to opt out of this service option. |
| software calendar system you use. Before making a | | | | Whether your specialty is bankruptcy, personal injury, |
| final decision, ask the company for a tour of the | | | | criminal law or another area, a lawyer answering |
| appointment-scheduling service. | | | | service can benefit your practice. It is a |
| - In addition to appointment scheduling, a lawyer | | | | cost-effective way to provide a high level of service |
| answering service may also use intake forms to | | | | to your current and potential clients while eliminating |
| better handle potential-client calls. Using a customized | | | | the worry about missed calls and messages. If you |
| intake form, a receptionist can record the calls, | | | | are out of the office even more than you are in it, |
| complete the form, and send it to you to import to | | | | explore the benefits of a lawyer answering service. |