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This section is divided into two sub-sections. Existing clients - your section is at the bottom!
Questions about the business:
Q) I want to become a Virtual Assistant. How can I get started?
A) As one of the first well known VAs in the UK, The Dream PA has become a business that receives lots of requests for advice from people who want to get started in the industry. In response to these requests, Nadine Hill wrote the UKs first 'how to' guide to becoming a VA. "The Virtual Assistant Handbook; insider secrets for starting and running your own profitable VA business" became a #1 Amazon best-seller on its launch day in May 2009. You can buy the book or read customer reviews here.
Following on from the success of the book, Nadine developed a range of short courses to encourage, guide and inspire other potential virtual assistants into starting their own business. To learn more about the topics covered on any of the the courses, please click here.
Q) Who is The Dream PA?
A) The business is owned and run by Nadine Hill as a small business which supports other small businesses. Nadine launched The Dream PA in April 2005 and it is still growing to this day.
Q) Who are The Dream PA's clients?
A) Self employed professionals who work from home, partnerships, small 'Limited' companies and businesses that employ fewer than ten staff. The Dream PA has clients in a wide variety of industries from financial services, training and consultancy, IT and business services through to construction firms, cleaning companies, driving instructors and inventors. The majority of clients are UK based although geography is not a limitation and we can assist clients from anywhere who want an English speaking Receptionist. Currently the client who is furthest afield lives and works in California.
Q) Can I use your telephone answering service even if I don't have a dedicated line to divert?
A) Yes. You don't need a landline to use this service. If you have your own non-geographic number, you can point it to us and we will take your calls. If you don't have a telephone number but want one, we can supply you with your choice of a UK geographic number free of charge, or an 0845, 0870 or 0800 number for a small monthly fee. All calls will be answered in your business name.
Q) I'm worried about getting a large bill. How can you help me budget?
A) The Virtual Receptionist service starts with a one month free trial then operates on a 'pay as you go' system which means you are always in credit and in control.
Q) My work dictates that sometimes I can be away from my desk for a few days and then other times I am in the office all week. Can you be flexible to match my working patterns?
A) Yes. The Virtual Receptionist service is completely flexible and controlled by you via the web based Control Panel. The monthly service fee is paid to ensure that we are always there on standby to take your calls, and this fee stays the same each month unless you opt to change tariffs. Calls are charged by the second, so you pay only for the seconds that we are on the phone for you. This makes your bills as low or as high as your call volumes - ensuring that each client pays for their own useage and lower tariff customers are not subsidising higher volume ones. You choose when to divert calls to us, so some weeks we may not take any calls for you - if you are handling them yourself. However we do have the capability to take calls for you only if you are on the other line so your callers will never hear an engaged tone again! We are there as much or as little as you need - all you do to 'activate' us, is divert your phone!
If you have further questions on how the Virtual Receptionist service can help your business make more money, please contact me .
Existing clients; Questions about your Control Panel:
Q) I'm going on holiday and want to change what my callers are told. How do I do this?
A) It's easy to change any instructions in your Control Panel. Simply log in and under the 'My Account' tab, click on 'Daily Instructions'. Amend the instruction to your new information and click on the 'Update Daily Instruction' box. Then log out. You can use this process to amend the contacts within your business who can receive messages (via the 'Contacts' tab), change your address (via the 'Trading Details' tab) or change any information you have previously uploaded about your company.
Q) I want to create a new account to take calls for my other business. What do I do?
A) Just sign up online at www.dontlosebusiness.co.uk for the new account then email Nadine at The Dream PA to advise the new company name so your accounts can be linked up. As an existing customer you will benefit from a multi user discount on your second account - just ask for details!
Q) I want to recommend your service to others - what's in it for me?
A) Thank you to the many satisfied clients who have recommended the service in the past. We have now introduced an incentive programme to show our appreciation. For each new account that you introduce, we will credit your account with £10 of free calls. Don't forget - the person you introduce will also get a one month free trial which includes £10 of free calls for them too!
Q) I've forgotten my Control Panel password and/or username. Help!
A) Just email support@virtualreceptionist.co.uk for help and the support team can help you access the Control Panel. Note: For security, please ensure your password is kept confidential as it cannot be changed once it has been set.
Q) What are the codes to divert my phone to my Virtual Receptionist?
A) From a landline, to divert ALL calls:
Dial *21* insert your DDI number #
To end divert: #21#
To divert when your phone is busy:
Dial *67* insert your DDI number #
To end divert: #67#
To divert if there is no answer after 5 rings: (This is usually preset to about 20 seconds)
Dial *61* insert your DDI number #
To end divert: #61#
You can also do a combination of codes. Eg: *61**67* etc...
This information is general and for security, some instructions have not been posted here. If your question remains unanswered, please refer to your 'Welcome Email' or contact support |
