Overview
Let's put the options side by side. No spin. Just numbers. Option 1: Full-Time Receptionist - Salary: $35,000-$50,000/year - Benefits: $8,000-$15,000/year - Training: $2,000-$5,000 - Total annual cost: $45,000-$70,000 - Hours covered: 8 hours/day, 5 days/week (2,080 hours/year) - Cost per hour: $22-$34 - Calls handled per day: 30-50 - After-hours coverage: None - Follow-up capability: Limited (1-2 attempts) - Qualification accuracy: Variable (depends on training and mood) - Sick days: 5-10/year - Vacation: 10-15 days/year - Turnover: Every 12-18 months Option 2: Answering Service - Monthly cost: $200-$800/month ($2,400-$9,600/year) - Hours covered: 24/7 - What they do: Answer phone, take message, forward to you - Qualification: None - Follow-up: None - Appointment booking: None (usually) - CRM integration: None (usually) - Quality: Inconsistent (different operator each time) - Knowledge of your firm: Minimal Option 3: AI Intake System - Monthly cost: Fraction of a receptionist salary - Hours covered: 24/7/365 - What it does: Answers, qualifies, books, follows up, integrates, reports - Qualification: Full practice-area-specific qualifying - Follow-up: 10-20+ automated touches across call, text, email - Appointment booking: Real-time calendar integration - CRM integration: Full (GHL, Clio, Salesforce, etc.) - Quality: Consistent (same quality at 3 AM as 3 PM) - Knowledge of your firm: Complete (trained on your specific practice) - Sick days: Zero - Vacation: Zero - Turnover: Ze
