Before moving on to learning about voicemail message templates, let’s learn some tips to effectively take phone messages. Tips for Taking Phone Messages Effectively . Creating a phone message template is the first step in starting a good phone communication procedure – but it doesn’t stop there.
The business answering machine greeting you use should be fairly short and to the point, though you can use it as a way to demonstrate what your business has to offer. Your overall tone in the message should be professional and indicate to callers that though their call has been missed at that moment, they are important and you plan on contacting them as soon as possible. Within this, however, you should not indicate that you are talking to someone more important than the caller. Your business answering machine greeting should also be customized in any way you deem appropriate for your business and needs. Jotting down the greeting will prevent mistakes when recording it.

Hello you are talking to a machine; I am capable of receiving messages. My owner (your name here) does not need siding windows or a hot tub, and her carpets are clean. She gives to charity through the office and she doesn’t need her picture taken if your still with me please leave a message and she will get back with you.
And this one (from Brad Lund, of Baltimore) made me giggle loudest and longest: "This is the Lund residence. The answering machine is on vacation. This is the refrigerator speaking. State your message slowly and clearly. I'll write it down and stick it to myself with one of those little magnets."