Over the past few months I have begun to receive an obscene amount of calls soliciting my “business.” These calls range from multiple local radio stations and news publications to the Yellow Pages. Oddly enough, this is FAR more annoying than solicitations/announcements via email, because, via my inbox, I may press the “delete” key.
Unfortunately, when a call makes it through, I am faced with the task of determining whether to:
- just hang up.
- interrupt politely (is that a reality)?
- or spend my valuable time explaining my lack of interest or justifying my decisions.
It seems as my business has rooted itself and matured, the very act of answering the phone (when the number is unrecognized) has become an emotionally arduous task as I genuinely don’t enjoy being rude to others.
That stated, I love my clients… all of them! Clients that retain commissions for portraits and weddings with me are amazing. I ensure that!
Your telephone call as a client is important to me from your first inquiry to the final delivery of your product.
As such:
- if you are a “brand new” client. Please, by all means, call me! But also know that location sessions frequently take me away from the office. Using the contact form below may be the best bet for your initial contact as should we choose, we can utilize email after hours without interrupting ones dinner or bedtime hours .
- if you are a current client, or a client with which I am entertaining a telephone dialogue, please simply skip the message with the number prompted to leave a voice mail and/or text me a message. It is my promise to you that I will return your call ASAP.
As odd as it may seem, I am going to type out my voice mail message — new inquiries may choose to read it now and skip it later
or photographers that call five times to listen to the dialogue may have it to use. (It may also prove to be a good disclaimer to others that I do not entertain advertising proposals or the like over the phone).
Here is the VM lo-down:
Hello, you have reached Sloan Images International and the mobile business phone of Christina Sloan. To skip this message and leave a voice mail, please press the number [insert number here].
We apologize that our team is not able to accept your call at this time as we are either on the other line, with a client, photographing on location or away from the office.:
Every attempt is made to maintain studio hours Tuesday-Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
Please be aware that location sessions may last up to 8 hours at a time, or even multiple days.
Your call is important to us. Please leave a detailed message after the tone and the SI team will make every effort to return your call within 24 hours. Non-detailed messages including only an obscure name and number may not be returned.
Should you choose, you may also email the studio through our website @ sloanimages.com
Thank you for calling Sloan Images, and have a blessed day!
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- Custom Photographs and Portraits from Sloan Images :: Christina Sloan
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- Choosing a Custom Photographer :: Christina Sloan, Sloan Images International, Incorporated
by Christina
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