Pro Tip: Avoid using a monotone voice when you record a voicemail greeting for a virtual answering system. You want your customers to be engaged and feel welcomed, not like a burden.
1. Write a list of information you want to include in your voicemail greeting. Writing out a list of points to include may sound arduous, but when your voicemail could potentially be the first impression someone has of you, it’s best if it doesn’t come with a bunch of "Um, uh," noises and awkward pauses. You want your voicemail to contain some basic information in a polite manner that will help the caller know that it’s you, and information to leave so you can call back as soon as possible. Include your name (and the company if this is a business voicemail), a statement that lets the caller know you apologize for missing the call, and information you would like from the caller such as name, number, and a brief message concerning the purpose of the call.
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To send a Voice Message, simply tap and hold on the "Voice Message" button. On iPhone, the "Voice Message" button is a microphone icon that replaces the send button on the text input bar. While recording a Voice Message, you can slide left to cancel instantly.
22. Hello, this is [your name]. I’m currently away from my phone. I return calls on Tuesday and Friday at 10 a.m. Please leave a detailed message including your name and a callback number and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
Need your voicemail recording as soon as possible? Depending on the complexity of your job, you can receive your final audio files in as little as one day.
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.
How to set up the voicemail greeting for your phone extension / direct phone number with Telzio. 0:26 - How to set up your voicemail greeting directly on you
If you started your company more than a year ago, it’s probably time to change your voicemail script. Your recording should match the brand, tone, and voice of your company — just as though a caller were speaking to a member of your team.
“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. Have a great day!”
You should acknowledge that right off the bat by apologizing that they couldn't reach you directly.
“Hey Henry, I’m reaching out because I recently helped someone in a similar position to you save X amount of dollars…”
12. "Hi, you've reached [company]. We're available by phone from [hour] to [hour] [time zone] Monday through Friday [optional: and from hour to hour on the weekends]. You can also contact us by going to our website, [URL], and live-chatting or emailing us. If you'd like us to call you back, please leave your name and number after the tone."
9. “Hey, it’s [your name] at [your company] – thanks for giving me a call! I can’t wait to chat. Just leave your name, number and I’ll call you back as soon as I have the chance. Better yet, send me a text with the best time to reach you and the reason for your call. Looking forward to hearing from you.” Text communication is becoming much more relevant now. Direct your caller to text you in case they have a question you can answer easier via text. Who knows, they might prefer text messages to phone calls too.
Recognize Their Need. When someone calls your business, the voicemail should give them a sense of validation. This means that your voicemail should extend gratitude for their interest in your business, or an apology for not being there to answer your call. These two simple courtesies can go a long way in the creation or establishment of client/business trust. Make it Informative for the Caller. Your voicemail must include all the information the customer will need for your particular business. For instance, if you’re a brick and mortar establishment, it’s wise to include your store hours. It’s also a good idea to leave them an alternate way to contact you, especially if it’s after hours. After all, you don’t want to miss just one potential customer. Here are some suggestions for elements to include in your voicemail: Business name Hours (if brick and mortar) Alternate method of contact, such as email Your name
After you have stated in your business voicemail greetings what you want the clients and customers should do when leaving a message, it is important to remember that you keep your voicemail messages short and concise. Use smaller and simplified words rather than business jargon your customers will not understand.
Editor’s Note: The article is part of the blog series Grow Your Business brought to you by the marketing team at UniTel Voice, the virtual phone system priced and designed for startups and small business owners.
An attractive voicemail can be a major factor in appearing professional and legitimate to the outside world. When recording a professional voicemail for your business, your validity is evaluated subconsciously by those who call you. Don’t make the mistake of overlooking this simple yet valuable component of your brand!