In tough economic times like these, it is important to keep your customers interested. Try eliminating that automated answering service and come up with a greeting of your own.  Your customers will be happy to reach an actual person, and you will be happy to have the opportunity to promote a special sale or new product.  Remember to state your name as well.  Callers will appreciate this.  “Thank you for calling Hardy’s Hardware.  This is Bill.  Be sure to ask about our summer’s end sale on patio furniture.”

Having a real person answer the phone instead of a recording is a simple way to directly reach more customers.  If customers can reach an actual person, they are more likely to call again.