What is an AI receptionist?

An AI receptionist is an artificial intelligence-powered phone answering service that handles incoming calls for your business 24/7. It can answer questions, book appointments, take messages, and route calls — just like a human receptionist, but available around the clock at a fraction of the cost.

How does ReadyToTalk learn about my business?

When you sign up, you enter your business website URL. Our AI scans your site and automatically learns your services, business hours, FAQs, and other key details. Your AI receptionist is ready to answer calls in under 5 minutes — no manual scripting or training required.

How much does an AI receptionist cost?

ReadyToTalk costs $39/month after a 7-day free trial, which includes 100 minutes. Overage is $0.20/min with prepaid credits. There are no setup fees and no long-term contracts.

Can I keep my existing phone number?

Yes! You keep your existing business phone number. Simply set up call forwarding from your carrier to your ReadyToTalk number. When you can't answer, calls are automatically forwarded to your AI receptionist.

What types of businesses use AI receptionists?

AI receptionists work for any small business that receives phone calls — law firms, salons, real estate agencies, plumbers, contractors, restaurants, and more.

Is ReadyToTalk better than a virtual receptionist or answering service?

ReadyToTalk offers 24/7 availability with instant pickup, costs significantly less than human virtual receptionists ($39/mo vs $200-500+/mo), and learns your business automatically. No long-term contracts.

After Hours Call Script Generator

Generate customized after-hours scripts for your business — voicemail greeting, text-back message, and email auto-reply — all in one place.

Business Name

Business Type

Business Hours

Do you handle emergencies?

Why After-Hours Scripts Matter

27% of business calls come in after hours, but 80% of callers won't leave a voicemail. Without a professional after-hours script, those callers hang up and call a competitor. A well-crafted voicemail greeting, paired with an automatic text-back and email auto-reply, keeps leads warm and sets clear expectations — even when your office is closed.

What's Included in Your Script Kit

• Voicemail greeting: A professional recorded message customized for your industry, hours, and emergency policy
• Text-back message: An automatic SMS response under 160 characters that acknowledges the missed call
• Email auto-reply: A professional out-of-office response with subject line and body, tailored to your business type

Tips for Effective After-Hours Scripts

• Always state your business name and hours so callers know they reached the right place
• Include a clear call to action — leave a message, visit your website, or reply to the text
• If you handle emergencies, make the emergency option the first thing callers hear
• Keep text-back messages concise — SMS has a 160-character limit for single messages
• Update your scripts whenever your hours or policies change

Skip the script — let AI answer your calls

ReadyToTalk answers your business calls 24/7 with a real AI receptionist. No voicemail, no missed leads, no scripts to record.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an after-hours call script?+

An after-hours call script is a pre-written message your business uses when calls come in outside operating hours. It typically includes a voicemail greeting (played when someone calls), a text-back message (auto-sent via SMS to missed callers), and an email auto-reply (sent in response to after-hours emails). Together, these three scripts ensure callers know you received their message and when to expect a response.

How long should an after-hours voicemail greeting be?+

Keep your after-hours voicemail greeting between 20 and 45 seconds. Any shorter and you risk leaving out key information (your hours, callback expectations, emergency instructions). Any longer and callers will hang up before leaving a message. The sweet spot is around 30 seconds — enough to sound professional and cover the essentials.

Should I include emergency contact information in my after-hours script?+

Yes, if your business handles emergencies. Medical offices, law firms, contractors, and property managers should always include an emergency contact option — either a direct number or a prompt to press a key. For businesses that don't handle emergencies (salons, restaurants, retail), skip it to keep your greeting concise.

What's better — voicemail or an AI receptionist for after-hours calls?+

An AI receptionist is significantly better for most businesses. 80% of callers won't leave a voicemail, which means voicemail-only setups lose 4 out of 5 potential leads. An AI receptionist answers every call live, can answer questions, book appointments, and route emergencies — all 24/7 with zero wait time.

Never Miss a CALL Again

Every unanswered call is lost revenue.