The Helloforward blog
Field notes.
How small businesses use an AI answering service, trade by trade, and practical notes on phone lines and call forwarding. Short, so you can read one between jobs.
All entriesthirteen entries
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For plumbers ·
The phone, answered: Helloforward for plumbers
A water heater call comes in while you are under a sink. Screen by screen: the call answered, Sam booked for 3:30, the text sent, the note left. What Helloforward looks like on a plumber's line.
4 minute read
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For electricians ·
The phone, answered: Helloforward for electricians
An EV charger enquiry comes in while both hands are in a live panel. Screen by screen: the site visit booked with Amir, the dead kitchen circuit put straight through, the note left. Helloforward on an electrician's line.
4 minute read
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For contractors ·
The phone, answered: Helloforward for contractors and framers
A basement-suite enquiry and the lumber yard call within an hour of each other, while the saw is running. Screen by screen: the estimate booked with Dana, the yard's message taken word for word, the note left. Helloforward on a contractor's line.
4 minute read
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For auto repair ·
The phone, answered: Helloforward for auto repair shops
A brake job, an is-my-car-ready call and the parts counter, all while you are under a lift. Screen by screen: the bay booked, the messages taken, the note left. Helloforward on a garage's line.
4 minute read
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For salons ·
The phone, answered: Helloforward for hair salons
Foils in, gloves on, and the front-desk phone rings. Screen by screen: Amara booked with Priya on Saturday, the balayage price answered from your list, Nadia's 2:00 moved by text, tomorrow confirmed. Helloforward on a salon's line.
4 minute read
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For barbershops ·
The phone, answered: Helloforward for barbershops
Clippers on, line-up half done, and the phone rings for the fourth time. Screen by screen: Jayden booked at 4:15 with Marcus, the price question answered, tomorrow confirmed. Helloforward on a barbershop's line.
3 minute read
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For nail salons ·
The phone, answered: Helloforward for nail salons
Mid-set is the worst time to answer a phone, and the most common. Screen by screen: Jessica booked with Linh after work, two friends seated side by side, the price answered from your list. Helloforward on a nail salon's line.
3 minute read
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For spas ·
The phone, answered: Helloforward for day spas
A quiet room, a client on the table, and a phone that must not ring. Screen by screen: Daniel booked with Noor on Friday, the couples package read back, a gift card handled by text. Helloforward on a spa's line.
3 minute read
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For tattoo studios ·
The phone, answered: Helloforward for tattoo studios
Needle down, four hours into a sleeve, and the phone rings with the same three questions. Screen by screen: Sam's consult booked with Rosa, the price rule explained, aftercare read back, deposit note texted. Helloforward on a studio's line.
3 minute read
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For vet clinics ·
The phone, answered: Helloforward for vet clinics
Three people at the desk, a dog on the scale, two lines ringing. Screen by screen: Biscuit's shots booked with Dr. Park, the chocolate call put straight through, the after-hours cat seen at 8:15. Helloforward on a clinic's line.
4 minute read
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For restaurants ·
The phone, answered: Helloforward for restaurants
Mid-service, tickets up, and the phone by the pass rings again. Screen by screen: Priya's anniversary table taken, the holiday-Monday question answered, twelve for a birthday noted for a callback. Helloforward on a restaurant's line.
3 minute read
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For studios ·
The phone, answered: Helloforward for workshops and studios
Hands in clay, or on a table saw, and the phone in the other room rings. Screen by screen: Maya's class seat booked, the Clarkes' cabinet consult booked with Owen, the mug order taken as a message. Helloforward on a studio's line.
3 minute read
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Guides ·
Send your calls where you want them
Call forwarding on every Canadian carrier, both directions: the codes that send missed calls to your agent, the codes that bring them home, and the one # at the end that everyone forgets to dial.
4 minute read