Comments on: How Do You Handle Your Phone?

By: Cyndi L

Cyndi L — Wed, 30 May 2007 15:31:01 +0000

I almost never answer my phone during the day, unless like you said, Anne, I’ve arranged a call or am actually expecting one. But I’m totally brutal about getting off the phone quickly, even with friends. I think that you have to be if you expect a home-based business to a) be taken seriously by others and b) to work!!

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Wed, 30 May 2007 14:57:05 +0000

that’s right… I have my clients make phone appointment by email too… they dont’ always follow instructions, but then, I don’t always answer the phone ;)

By: Matt Keegan

Matt Keegan — Wed, 30 May 2007 14:07:24 +0000

We only have one receiver in the house and it is located in the kitchen while my office is clear across the other side of the house.

I make it clear to my customers that phone conversations are fine, provided that they are preceded by an email to arrange the time of the call.

When I am on the phone, I am not able to write. If I cannot write, I am not making money. This cuts down on the “chatty calls” and reserves phone time for conversations which are strictly business related.

By: WritingThoughts » Blog Archive » WAHM Wednesday: The Other Telephone Question

Wed, 30 May 2007 12:49:24 +0000

[...] on Ann Wayman’s The Golden Pencil, she asked “How Do You Handle Your Phone.” That discussion seemed to center on whether a writer should be available by phone at all [...]

By: April

April — Wed, 30 May 2007 03:34:57 +0000

I hate the phone. I do not get phone calls for work, but if I did I would have to get call display, because I practically refuse to answer the phone at all anymore. I don’t have friends who call me anymore, nor do I have anyone that I call. Every time that I do give in and answer the phone (which isn’t often, I have the answering machine to go on at the 4th ring) it’s a telemarketer. Every time. If people we actual know call us, it’s usually because they want something. I only make it a habit to answer the phone during the holidays due to parties etc.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 29 May 2007 17:03:54 +0000

Since my phone is my home phone too, I simply screen the calls. I don’t take calls after the computer is turned off (and sometimes that’s well beyond 7 p.m.). I liken the computer switch to my brain’s switch – they go off simultaneously. :)

By: Laura

Laura — Tue, 29 May 2007 16:09:37 +0000

This is a good discussion! Initially, I had a separate phone line for business calls which I turned off when I was really busy or after working hours.

After a while, I realized that almost every one of my clients prefers to contact me through e-mail. I discontinued the extra phone and haven’t missed it at all.

BTW, I charge clients for telephone consultations over 15 minutes. That might be why they’d rather e-mail.

I look forward to seeing other responses.