Instead of having the typical “You’ve reached ABA Corporation. Please leave your message after the beep”, make it unique and interesting.
It’s important that your voicemail makes a good impression and conveys professionalism to anyone who calls. Here at UniTel Voice, we specialize in helping business owners set up a virtual voicemail system that not only helps them sound professional but also keeps them connected with voicemail-to-email and voicemail transcription (voice-to-text) technology.
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Expand your message with 'We're sorry we couldn't take your call this time.' The inclusion of 'this time' or 'on this occasion' suggests that the voicemail is the exception rather than the rule.
19. "Hello, you've reached [your name]. I'm currently [exploring Asia, hiking through the jungle in Costa Rica, hanging out on the beach in Bermuda] — or more likely, [recovering from extreme jet lag, googling ‘Are red spiders poisonous,' or looking for SPF 150 sunscreen] and won't be back in the office until [date]. Leave your contact info and reason for calling and I'll get in touch then."
Knowing what you’re going to say and how you’re going to say it before hopping on the phone is key to getting calls back.
Find out WHY a professional voicemail greeting is so important: Why You Must Have a Professional Voicemail Greeting. Hello, thanks for calling (name), I’m unable to answer your call at the moment. Please leave a message and I’ll return your call as soon as possible. Thank you.
When recording a personalized voicemail greeting on your office phone, your greeting should include only the company name and your extension number. When recording a personalized voicemail greeting on your office phone, your greeting should include only the company name and your extension number. State your name and spell it out if you’re asking callers to follow up with written correspondence. State your company name and department name. Let callers know that you cannot take their call right now. Invite them to leave a message. What should I record on my work voicemail?
If you are going to use your own phone to record your greeting, be sure to use a land line. Cell phones can’t always be trusted to produce a high quality sound and often the callers will hear distortion, static, or flight information in the background because you decided to record a new message while waiting for your plane at the airport. Always use a land line in a quiet setting to make your recording.
You should also aim to refresh your voicemail greeting in English every year. It’s likely that your pronunciation skills will improve and change over time – especially if you are taking online training like ours! So it is a good idea to refresh your English voicemail greeting regularly. When it’s time to refresh it and it’s time to record a voicemail greeting, revise our video. Each time you watch it, you’ll pick up more tips and improve your pronunciation skills.
What is an Example of a Professional Voicemail? The above might sound fine, and it can work as a starting basis to create your voicemail script. But what if you want to work from an example to get a sense of how it will sound? Let’s use a sample voicemail of someone selling business widgets that save administration costs.
Context does matter here. If the caller would reasonably expect you to answer the phone (such as if they were calling a store or other place of business), an apology for not being able to get to the phone makes the most sense.
"Hello, you've reached [name] at [company]. I'm unable to come to the phone right now. Leave your name and number, and I'll return your call as soon as I'm free. Thank you."
23. "Happy holidays! [I'm, the team at X company is] away until [date]. We'll make sure to call you back straight away when we return. If your request is urgent, email [emergency contact] at [email address]. Thanks, and have a wonderful day."
Nobody wants to listen to a long-winded voicemail. Keep your greeting short, simple, and concise. A voicemail message should pique a client’s interest and leave them looking forward to your call. Stick to the basics, explaining your company name, hours of operation, and when to expect a callback.
If you’re a small business owner, we recommend going with the RIY (record it yourself) route. First, it’s more affordable. Second (and more importantly), if your clients expect to work with you directly, they will expect to hear your voice when they place a phone call.
Nothing is a better asset in your sales performance than your own distinct personality. It’s what makes you human and allows prospects to connect with you on a personal level.
The basic rule of thumb is that callers should hear one of two things when they first connect with your voicemail — either an apology for not being able to answer the call or a “thank you” for having called. You can do both if you prefer, but keep it short and to the point.