Talking with a customer on the phone can often be a difficult task. Without seeing an individual’s face, messages can become muddled and meanings misinterpreted.
To improve your telephone communication skills, be sure to master the following tips:
When the phone rings, are you annoyed at the interruption? The way you and your employees answer the phone sets the stage for your customers' experience with you. Here are five tips for ensuring your phone skills give a good impression.
I have to admit I really don't like the telephone. Maybe it is because it is an interruption in an already "overscheduled" world. Even if it is someone I really want to talk to, it sometimes feels like a chore "to be nice"! With the amount of spam phone calls I still seem to receive, even after being on the "Do not call list", I must admit I make assumptions when I pick up the phone. If there is a nano-second of a pause when I pick up the phone, I immediately assume I am on someone's computer list just waiting to pounce if they here a real person on the other end of the phone.
1. Adopt a Positive Tone
Projecting an enthusiastic, natural, and attentive tone while on the phone can help a customer feel comfortable during a conversation.
When you answer the phone, smile as you greet the person on the other line. Although it may be a bit of a cliché, a smile can truly be heard through the telephone. Smiling as soon as you connect with the customer will begin the interaction positively and create room for a productive and friendly exchange.
Also, be aware of your vocal qualities throughout the call. Control your rate of speech, your pitch, and your overall timbre. The average individual speaks at a pace of 130 to 150 words per minute. Match this rate while on the phone.
Anything faster will be difficult for the customer to understand while anything slower will give the impression that you are slow and lazy.
Try timing yourself in order to ensure that the rate at which you’re speaking falls into the 130 to 150 words per minute range. Keep the pitch of your voice in mind while you’re on the phone as well.
3. Be nge.
2. Clear Enunciation
The ability to understand what someone is saying on the phone separates a productive conversation from one filled with tension.
Whenever you are on the telephone, speak clearly. Enunciate and use simple words and phrases. Don’t employ overly complex vocabulary.
The last thing you want to do is confuse the customer on the line or make them feel inferior. Also, avoid slang and filler words. Saying things like “dude,” “yeah,” and “um” will detract from the quality of the interaction, making constructive problem solving harder to attain. If you have a tendency to use filler words such as “um” or “like.” practice taking a pause instead.
Chewing gum or eating during a conversation can also lead to mumbled speech so avoid both of these practices in order to optimize your customer service.
4. Use the Name
As soon as you receive a customer’s name, use it.
Write down the individual’s initials in order to “monogram” the call. This will help you remember the client’s name and will personalize the call for you.
While you should use the customer’s name, don’t abuse it.
Include it naturally throughout the conversation. Also, don’t be afraid to ask them for the proper pronunciation. Most customers will appreciate this gesture. Get the spellin
5. Leave the Customer Satisfied
As with most things, finishing a conversation on the right note can create lasting positivity and a satisfied customer.
In order to achieve a great ending to a telephone call, make sure that the caller understands the information you passed along before you hang up. Ask the customer, “Is there anything else I can help you with?” Answer any final questions he or she may have to ensure complete comprehension and satisfaction. Also, provide any information that the customer might need in the future. If he or she needs to call back, share optimal contact times and whom he or she should call.
Once all of the necessary information has been shared, finish the call in a friendly manner. Say, “Have a nice day” or, “It was nice talking with you”. This will let the customer know that you happily helped them and that you would be willing to aid them again in the future.
Finishing a conversation in a positive manner can transform what may have started as an angry phone call to a pleasant experience for the customer.
In Summary
Effective communication results in productive relationships and can yield better customer service and sales.
Whenever you’re handling clients over the phone, remain positive and do all that you can to satisfy them. Empathize with them when necessary and be personable.
Customers will certainly recognize when they’re being treated with courteousness, care, and consideration, which will translate to repeat business.