Creating a business phone script can support your employees and customers. Learn all of our tips for crafting the perfect script for your needs!
Making a business phone script can seem like a complicated or intimidating thing to do. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. In business, your strategy and planning are essential, but one key element to understand is how to make a business phone script.
Understanding how to craft a successful business phone script will help you handle potential clients, customers, or even referral sources.
What Is a Business Phone Script?
A business phone script can help you stay on track when fielding important business calls.
Everything from greeting callers properly to what to say when closing a sale can be planned out in advance. The correct phone scripts can make the difference between success and failure, giving you the confidence to perform as a professional every time you pick up the phone.
One of the most important ways to improve your call handling process is to create a set of guidelines for your team.
A business phone script is a document that helps guide staff and contact center professionals in handling calls from your business phone number. First impressions matter, but so do responses.
A phone script provides your organization with a written, detailed guide that outlines what to say to the customer, when to say it, and how the conversation will flow.
How a Business Phone Script Supports Your Organization.
Whether you are working directly with a contact center like Call Experts or if your employees are handling calls on their own, a business phone script can help you deliver professionalism and build trust.
According to a recent study, 14.8% of all emails go missing or are caught by spam filters. And, more than 50% of customers across all age groups typically use the phone to reach out to a service team, making it the most-used channel for customer service.
Since e-mail is no longer the only way to communicate, business phone scripts have become more common and essential. A phone script provides your employees with a guide on how to handle your customers’ needs and directs them through the appropriate questions and actions based on each caller’s history with your company.
Customer service scripts are ideal for providing a straightforward, step-by-step approach for talking with customers over the phone. These scripts outline what a representative is supposed to say from start to finish. And you can even include what someone should ask during each interaction with a customer.
A good phone script is a branding opportunity, allowing you to mirror the brand identity you have established for your business. This level of consistency is vital for any organization hoping to create a professional experience for people who interact with the company no matter what medium they choose.
So, when you ask yourself, “what is a phone script for business?” remember why it’s essential to have one. Not only will your business gain from a standardized system that is easy to implement and maintain, but you will be creating an experience for your customers that is better than the competition. A phone script can do that, and when you invest in building a solid script, you will see the results.
Creating a great business phone script can be an essential step in improving the customer experience.
Phone calls are the interface many customers use to speak to businesses, so this medium should naturally provide a smooth and engaging call flow.
Why a Business Phone Script Is Essential for Successful Customer Support.
When it comes to small business lead generation and maximizing revenue from your existing business contacts, picking up the phone and calling is still the most effective method.
Let’s say you have a local business where customers can come into your office and purchase your product or service right away.
But what happens if they don’t live close by your brick and mortar? Or what if you need to schedule a special appointment because the work will take longer than usual?
The key to handling these inquiries has a clear, professional business phone script that leads the caller through all their options.
If your business doesn’t have a phone script set up, you’re missing out on the opportunity to make a great first impression with every customer who calls.
How do you handle incoming calls, and how do you ensure that the person answering the phone can handle the call? Do you have a phone answering service? Do you have trained staff who can take calls?
Thinking about these questions is an essential step in your customer service process.
What Can A Good Phone Script Do For Your Business?
A good script helps to tackle challenges before they happen. It can provide consistency in your customer service process and keep people on track during calls. This helps to reduce errors, miscommunications, and omissions. According to Salesforce, if the company’s customer service is excellent, 78% of consumers will do business with a company again after a mistake.
Ensure that all callers receive the essential information with an organized script. Provide a resource for people to refer to when they are unsure of something during a call.
The best phone scripts are not overly long or wordy. But, on the other hand, you don’t want a script that is so long and complicated that it becomes impossible for your employees or call center professionals to use it effectively.
By creating a business phone script that supports your team and customers, you are crafting a better customer service experience. According to a recent study from Hubspot, 93% of customers are likely to make repeat purchases with companies who offer excellent customer service.
Top Three Elements of a Business Phone Script.
When it comes to writing your business phone script, there are three essential elements that you must remember each time.
First, there is the greeting.
When it comes to your business phone script, remember the greeting.
When you’re introducing your business, keep the greeting brief. It isn’t necessary to include every detail about what you do.
Since the first greeting sets the tone for the entire call, it is more important that your script feels friendly and upbeat. You can offer a more detailed description of your business later in the conversation if it comes up naturally.
If you’re calling on behalf of a business, a simple “Thank you for calling [business name]” is all you need to begin.
If you’d like to introduce yourself, start by saying your first and last name, along with your title. For example: “Thank you for calling [business name]. This is Jane Smith. How can I help you today?”
Outside of that, it’s essential to keep it simple and uncomplicated.
Next, phone trees are essential.
From the moment a customer walks in the door or picks up the phone, they look to feel at ease. However, it’s up to you to set the tone, and phone trees are essential to stay organized and keep your style consistent.
It’s essential to create a flow chart that considers what customers want. For example, if they’re calling to place an order, your phone script should guide them down the ordering process with just enough information as needed. If they’re calling to inquire about a product, you’ll need to provide more details and answer any questions they may have.
Finally, consider how you will handle callers who are irate or angry. You want to deal with these situations in a way that de-escalates the situation and helps to resolve. That may mean apologizing for the issue and offering them an incentive like free shipping or a discount on their next order. Or it may require following your company’s policies on refunds or replacement products.
Once you’ve honed in on the appropriate messaging for each type of customer, you can begin transferring that information into your phone script.
Don’t forget the transfer.
When you need to transfer a customer call, it’s important to walk them through the process to know what to expect. You’ll also want to make sure you’re moving them to someone who can solve their problem.
When you offer to transfer them, let them know what will happen when you do. This support can help alleviate any anxiety about the call being dropped or transferred incorrectly.
The key is letting your customer know that you aren’t getting rid of them and are still in good hands.
Tips for Writing An Effective Business Phone Script.
When it comes to greeting customers, there are several key areas to consider when writing a business phone script.
First, always state the name of your company (for brand recognition). Then, state your name (so that customers know to whom they are speaking). And, always ask how you can help (to get the conversation moving).
You can use a customer service script for an email response. And, using these basic elements, you can create a script that’s simple, straightforward, and easy for your team to use.
Once you’ve created your own unique business phone script, take time to practice it so that it becomes second nature. Your goal is to sound natural and not scripted. But, since most customers will expect some level of scripting or customer service training, they’re likely not expecting you to sound completely off the cuff.
Do you need help supporting your customers and creating an effective business phone script? Contact us now.
