Telephone Answering Services

This section of our technical library presents information and documentation relating to answering service systems and phone answering services. At Database Systems Corp. (DSC), we offer complete inbound call center and outbound automated phone services. Our inbound call center processes phone calls using our interactive voice response (IVR) system that answers calls without an operator.

Organizations looking to reduce costs and to improve customer service can now contract their inbound 800 answering service and outbound voice messaging programs at our automated call center facility. As designers of call answering systems and phone answering service software, DSC is uniquely positioned to manage your call answering service and 800 number service campaigns saving your organization both time and money. Because our phone answering service software was created in-house, we can deliver comprehensive 800 number outsourcing quickly -- providing you with a competitive advantage in the marketplace. From external database access to web integration including XML messaging, DSC can provide very custom phone applications. Plus you will find our 800 phone service to be quite affordable.

• Introduction
• Getting Started
• Types of Home-Based Answering Services
• How to Obtain Clients
• Your Home Office
• 10 Easy Steps to Organizing Your Business
• The Art of Networking
• Marketing Your Business
• Additional Tips for Success
• Start-up Costs and How to Fund Them
• Getting Help from the SBA
• Financial and Legal Considerations

Getting Help from the SBA

The Small Business Administration has made it easier to apply for smaller loans today. If you are seeking cash for $50,000 or less, the paperwork required has been diminished significantly. 

What’s more, your local community banker may be able to approve the loan person­ally without having to send it to the SBA. The SBA is guaranteeing the loan so local banks are more apt to lend money to new ventures as well as established ones.

You will have to put up at least 25% of the cash you need. The SBA will not under­write 100% of the venture. But, given the relatively low start–up costs for a phone answering service, you may not need more than $50,000 and can likely rise up to $12,500 personally in order to obtain the other $37,500 from the SBA. This would give you 100% ownership in your business with only the loan to be paid back.

The SBA has several other types of financial assistance programs, too. For potential small business owners that do not have adequate credit to obtain a loan through the usual bank channels, the SBA can provide the funds through several different loan programs. 

Your small, community banks are the firms that generally work closely with the Small Business Administration to provide these dollars to people in their area. Women and minorities are especially considered under a number of different SBA loan programs. 

Some of the special circumstance loans that are available are economic opportunity loans, handicapped assistance loans and displaced business loans. These are all programs to help disadvantaged individuals obtain the money they need to get a good idea off the ground. 

Applications for loans will require much the same data, as you would have prepared for a venture capitalist or any other potential investor in your business. Your background and qualifications, your marketing plan, revenue and expense projections and the need for the services you provide will all have to be discussed thoroughly with the loan officer before you can expect any loan approval. A good credit rating is helpful in obtaining the loan. If you have a history of paying back what you owe, chances are you would pay this loan back, too. 

There are a number of Small Business Administration locations near you. Click here for a list of regional offices and development centers that can assist and direct your application for a SBA loan.