Let’s get your business ready for your least chaotic season yet. Thinking about what happens when people call over the holidays might be the last thing on your mind, but it shouldn’t be.
You and your staff might be taking time off, or if it’s busy season in your industry, ramping up for the rush. Whatever your plans, your answering service should flex with you.
If you plan to adjust your hours or work arrangements during the holiday season, keep your answering service in the loop. Forgetting to implement holiday scripts and hours can cost your business money. Worst of all, it can cost you trust.
Script Updates Are Simple
A call script is what your live receptionist uses to answer your calls and live chats. If you work with any reputable answering service, you would have created it during setup, made adjustments along the way, and had it working hard for you ever since.
What many businesses don’t realize is that you can update your script anytime. And you should, especially during the holidays or if you’re experiencing any changes in your regular work routine.
A quick script update means that:
- Customers know your actual hours
- Emergency contacts are current if you have on-call staff
- Callers get realistic expectations about response times
- Your business maintains its professional reputation
Two Simple Ways to Make Updates
Option 1: Use the App
You can set your holiday closures directly in the AnswerForce app.
Open the app (desktop and web app).
- Go to Settings.
- Select Live Receptionist and choose the account you’d like to edit.
- Navigate to the Working Hours tab.
- Under Closures, select the dates your business will be closed.
- You can choose from common holidays or add your own custom closure dates.
Once saved, these dates will trigger your holiday script after it has been created.
If you haven’t yet set up your holiday script or need help setting up your closures, reach out to the Client Services Team.
Option 2: We’ll Do It for You
Contact our team anytime at customercare@answerforce.com or (800) 461-8520. We’re available 24/7 to help you make adjustments.
What Does a Holiday Script Update Look Like?
Here’s an example of a script adjustment for Thanksgiving. Remember, scripts are flexible and can fit your business.
“Thank you for calling Smith Plumbing. We have limited staff on Thursday, November 28th, for Thanksgiving, and will reopen fully on Friday, November 29th, at 8:00 AM. For emergencies, we have on-call staff available. How can I help you today?”
Don’t Wait Until The Last Minute
The holidays are hectic enough. Take five minutes now to review your script and plan any necessary updates. Whether it’s adjusted hours, temporary closures, or updated contacts, keeping your script current means your customers always get accurate information (and you can actually enjoy your time off). Not sure where to start? Our expert team is here to guide you.