In previous blogs, I’ve mentioned the importance of making a good first impression on a potential client. Most of the time, the first contact will be over the telephone. Since we are often in session, it is very likely that the first time a client hears our voice is on our voicemail greeting. This is why a professional greeting is so important. Identify yourself because you need to reassure the client that they have called the correct number. Clients will be a lot less likely to leave a message if they wonder who will get it. Use a warm friendly voice to say something like, “You have reached xxxx, licensed mental health counselor.” Tell clients what to do if they are in crisis. Although it seems obvious to us, clients may not realize that it could be several hours until we can return their call. I suggest something like, “If you require immediate assistance, please dial 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.” Ask for what information you need. Yes, the obvious name and number, but if it would be helpful to get their insurance information, ask for that, too. Give clients an idea about when you’ll return their call. Common business practice is within 24 business hours. Any extra messages or information you’d like clients to know. For example, if you are no longer accepting a particular insurance plan, the end of your voicemail greeting is a great place to convey that information.
6. Hello, this is [your name] at [your company]. I am unavailable at the moment, but please leave your name, number, and the reason you’re calling, and I’ll call you back as soon as possible.
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4. Vacation Day Voicemail Greeting. If your business is off for a holiday, it's a common courtesy to update your voicemail to acknowledge the closure. Mention the closure in the beginning of the message, convey when your business is reopening, and don't forget to wish the callers a happy holiday if the occasion calls for it.
People have short attention spans these days, and you should always craft your communications for the lowest common denominator with something as universal as your voicemail.
Ideally, a business should have a complete set of messages for every phase of their call flow from beginning to end. While voicemail greetings are an important part of the phone system, there need to be recordings for everything leading up to the voicemail as well (assuming there are other steps in the call flow).
Remember that Brittney Spears song where you hear her voicemail greeting at the end and she does that fake-out “beeeeep” and says “do yo thang?”
There are several ways to give your voice mail a professional-sounding and “crisp” image. Of course, the content of what your voice mail greeting says is very important, too. So be sure to prepare your message in advance. Too many people try to “wing-it” and then the greeting sounds less-than-professional.
While certain VoIP features (such as Simultaneous Ring and Find Me/Follow Me) help ensure that you don’t miss out on important calls, it can also be difficult to answer every single call that comes in, especially if you’re running a small business with limited staff. A clear, helpful, and customized voicemail greeting can be the next thing to help establish your brand and customer base. Related Blog Posts Best VoIP Providers for Making Cheap Calls to China in 2021Competitors to Vonage in 2021Scammers and VoIP: What you need to know about illegal phone scamsLandline versus VoIP: Which Is Better?Ways Virtual Numbers Help Boost Your BusinessWebRTC and VoIP: Do They Connect or Clash?How Business VoIP Takes the Stress Out of Moving Offices3 Ways to Use Hold Music to Keep Callers on the LineWhy You Should Get a Business VoIP Phone for Your Home BusinessTop 3 Reasons Pay As You Go VoIP Plans are Perfect for Small Businesses
A phone call to your business is often the first encounter your customers and prospects have with your company. If no one is available to take the call, having the best professional voicemail greetings possible is important to leave a great first impression and to ensure that business opportunities don’t slip by.
A quick search for "voicemail" found dozens of actors who will professionally record your script for anywhere from $10 to $50 or more. Remember to take your time and listen to the various samples each actor has to offer-- this recording will be the "voice" of your business! 3. Use a VOIP Business Phone Solution
1. Personal Business Voicemail Greeting. Your personal voicemail greeting should be brief and to the point. State your name and your availability, project a welcoming aura, and ask the caller for whatever information you need from them.
Create a clear focus on how what you do can fill a need for the prospective client. And make sure you word any sentence this way that refers to your products or services — with the benefit as the central focus.
Don' let background noise do the talking for you. Ambient noise on your recording could be sending the wrong message to your clients. The sound of your kids arguing in the distance could be the sign of a distracting work environment. Clinking glasses and restaurant chatter may leave the impression that you don't take your work seriously. When you record your voicemail greeting choose a quiet spot free from interruption, so your message is the only thing callers hear. It's also good to avoid large, cavernous spaces where sound verberates.
Hello, you have reached the voicemail of Jim Smith. I am currently out of the office and will return on Sept. 14. I will be checking my voicemail messages periodically, so please leave me a message and I will return your call as soon as possible.
Instead of leading with tired old lines like 'Your call is important to us', brush up on your telephone etiquette and start your voicemail with a thank you.
“Hello, you’ve reached the confidential voicemail of Dr. Barb LoFrisco, CounselorBarb, a licensed mental health counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist and sex therapist. You may press # to bypass the remainder of this message. If you’d like to book an appointment, you can do so by using the “Schedule Appointment” button on the front page of my website, counselorbarb.com. If this is an emergency, please hang up and dial 211 for the crisis center or 911 for medical personnel. I am currently on the phone or in session, so please leave me a message. Your call is very important to me and will be returned within 24 business hours. If you are a current client please remember my 48 hour cancellation policy. Thank you for calling and I look forward to speaking with you.”
Professional — Lets them know who they’ve reached, why their call has not been answered and when they can expect a return call.Personable — Lets them know their message has been received by a real person who values their call and will reach back out to them. Including humor and a personal touch is extremely important here (even if your industry prefers to be more “robotic” in their communications). What is the most professional voicemail message?