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.
5. Catch their attention: “Hey, there! This is [your name]. Please leave me a message with your name, number, and the reason you’re calling. If you also tell me [insert random fact] I’ll be sure to move you to the top of my call list.
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If anything big changes- address, phone, etc.- make sure you correct your voicemail early on. Keep It Short; We know, we know. We just gave you all this information and we’re now telling you to ‘keep it short‘. But, a professional voicemail greeting (or any for that matter) shouldn’t go beyond 20-25 seconds.
Website: https://www.openphone.co/blog/professional-business-voicemail-greetings/
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.
As a bonus, here is an example of our own holiday voicemail greeting here at OpenPhone:
The importance of voicemail in the customer care sector has not diminished despite the arrival of newer web technologies. VoIP applications let the businesses use voicemail service with flexibility, as it is. The users need not rely on extension terminals when they use VoIP services. A strong internet connection is a prerequisite and the pre-configured phones can be used – both for calling /receiving calls and for automated custom greetings. IVR feature redirect callers to the right virtual extension where their needs can be addressed. This can be done anywhere through a web portal access and an internet connection.
Face-to-face meetings have always been the preferred communication method for businesses. Activities such as negotiating important deals, collaborating with colleagues, and meeting with staff are...
I am currently away from the office and will return on
While covering all of the relevant information, aim to keep your voicemail to about 20 seconds. You definitely should not ever record a business voicemail longer than 30 seconds, and anything less than 10 seconds will typically mean that you are either speaking too quickly or aren’t providing all of the required information.
If they don’t leave a message, you’ll never know who called. Some people may assume they should just call back later. But if you prefer to get back to them at your leisure, encourage them to leave a message.
From time to time, the information provided in your voicemail greeting will update. Maybe your business hours or phone number will change. No matter what the change is, make sure that if the altered information appears in your voicemail greeting, that you update the recording as soon as possible. Don’t mislead customers through mistaken communication.
A voicemail and voicemail greeting are two different things. A voicemail serves to leave a message and contact information to an individual or business. A voicemail greeting serves to welcome those who call while you are out, encouraging them to leave a message and contact information. A well-crafted voicemail greeting also serves as a tool where one can leave a good first impression.
To be safe, a great tactic is to state your phone number and then repeat it. This eliminates any guesswork if the person on the other end has trouble understanding the number when you first say it.
Make sure your voicemail status is set to On. Set your greetings: Standard Greeting: Select the greeting that you just created. This will be the main greeting that callers will hear when they are transferred to your voicemail. Alternate Greeting: You can also set an alternate greeting to switch to when you are on vacation or in a meeting. By
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Of course, yours may need more details. But, even if you’re changing your outgoing message every day, it should only be a slight variation from a standard greeting.