Education Details: Professional Greetings . When to use a professional greeting: If you don't know the person well, it is best to use Mr., Ms., or Dr. as an appropriate business letter salutation. If you have any doubts about which greeting you should use, err on the side of caution and use the more formal style of address.
I think one of the most important things to include in a business answering machine message is the hours of operation. I've often called a local business during evening hours, hoping that someone might still be there to answer a question or take a message. If I get an answering machine, I always want to know when it would be best to call back. It could be that the business was still open at night, but no one could get to the phone. By including that information on the outgoing message, I'll know not to make any more after-hours calls. Smiling while speaking can make a business answering machine greeting sound pleasant. Jotting down the greeting will prevent mistakes when recording it.

To best assist your callers and effectively route their calls, you will need to classify your call types.
In sales, immediate communication with your prospects and current customers is important. Being available to answer questions or further negotiate a deal allows your clients to feel secure and more apt to purchase from you. But what if you can’t answer the phone when they call? Make sure you have a voicemail system set up so your clients have the opportunity to leave you a message.