How to Advertise Your Answering Service Business

One of the most profitable businesses to start is an answering service business.  This business is inexpensive to set up and can be done right from the comfort of your home. You can provide an after hours answering service for places such as doctors offices, construction companies, retail shops and attorney firms.

• Offer a free promotion for new clients who sign on with your answering service business. You can offer a reduced rate for a period of time such as six months or you can offer a free month with a paid contract of say six months or more.


• You want to target offices that have a busy schedule, such as small business owners. Another area to target our new businesses that may have just opened.


• There may be more than one answering service in your area so it is important to know what their going rates are. This way you can offer your clients competitive rates. You don't want to charge too much because customers may end up signing with another business but then again you don't want to charge to less because you will end up losing money.


• You might want to consider creating a niche market. This will help you stand out from your competitors. You may want to target law firms or doctors offices only. Once you have a law firm or doctor’s office contracted with your business, you can ask for referrals and get others signed on as well.


• The great way to obtain clients is to make a flyer of your business and hand them out at local businesses including retail stores, restaurants, wedding services, furniture stores, dance schools, hotels, carpet cleaners, video stores and car washes, just to name a few places that may need your services.


• Network with your local Chamber of Commerce. Your local chapter may hold weekly or monthly meetings where you can meet other business owners and do some networking with them. Also your local Kiwanis and Rotary clubs are great for networking.


• Word-of-mouth is one of the best means of advertising. Tell your friends and family what you are doing and they may be able to provide leads for you. Also, contact past business associates, college buddies and church members as prospective clients. Telling everyone you meet on a daily basis about your business is a great way to gain clients. If you play golf or tennis, talk to members that you associate with. Also consider the places you go every day such as gas stations, grocery store, and post office.


• Write a press release for the grand opening of your answering service business and submit it to local newspapers.


• Direct mail is another way to gain prospective clients. Postage may be a bit costly with direct mail, but you will get your message out to a large audience.