Too old for the phone

I have had 2 customers in the last week comment that I "Sounded much older" on the phone. It often leads to concerns about having a lot of steps and wondering if I was just sending someone else to do the physical cleaning. Not only is this a little insulting, I don't think it is a good thing for business.

It might have something to do with those customers calling me at weird hours as well. One called me at 10:30 pm and the other at 6 am. Neither one matches my listed business hours and neither one had an emergency.

Still, I think I need to get out in front of this issue....if it really is an issue. I might have to add my mug on some advertising and increase my coffee drinking or else just not take these calls outside of my posted hours. Just another thing to work out.

Last option would be to start talking like a teen with lots of swearing and poor grammar.

When I smoked, people said the same of me.

Including images of you in your advertising is a good idea. Maybe get a T-shirt that says "Carpet cleaners have bigger wands" and see if that drives the housewives wild.

I do think I have to give the business a youthful make-over. Just not sure what that will be yet, but it is coming.

I don't pick calls up after hours and sundays anymore, especially not when I'm sleeping ( my phone is on silent anyways most of those times ), for the exact same reason you mentioned above, people expect you to pick up the phone after hours in a "normal" voice ? That's kinda ridiculous