Leave out excuses like “I’m probably with a client right now” or “I’m unable to answer the phone right now” – it’s obvious you can’t answer your phone if a caller is listening to your voicemail greeting!
16. "Hmm. Gryffindor … No, Ravenclaw. Yes, you definitely belong in Ravenclaw. *Pause.* Okay, you haven't reached the Sorting Hat — it's the voicemail of [your name]. Please leave your name and number (and just for fun, the Harry Potter house you think you belong in) and I'll return your call as soon as possible."
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Say the persons name in the first four seconds. And say it again at least once in your voicemail.
Customers expect professional treatment from your business at all times, even from a prerecorded business voicemail greeting. Provide a good impression of your business and yourself through the simple act of recording a professional voicemail message. It only takes a few minutes of your time and can impact your business for the better.
As a bonus, here is an example of our own holiday voicemail greeting here at OpenPhone:
5. You have reached [your business]. We are currently closed. Our normal hours of operations are from [hours] [days]. We are closed on [days]. Please leave us a message with your name and number and we will return your call when the office reopens. You may hang up after leaving your message or press the [key] for additional options. Thank you for calling.
No matter the time, no matter your location, our team backs your business communications around the clock with free phone, email, and chat support.
I’m out walking my donkey but as soon as I get my ass back in I’ll call you back. Leave me a message.
Sometimes, it’s best to pick up the phone instead or have a face-to-face meeting if the tone or topic of the email is emotional, terse, or needs a lengthy discussion. Responding to workplace texts: You don’t have to have the last word. But if you need to say thanks or okay, say ‘thank you’ or ‘okay’ rather than ‘thankU’ or ‘k.’
You know that your callers are making inferences about your business and brand. If you want your voicemail recording to leave a positive impression, smile when you record it! Research shows that smiling affects how we speak, and listeners are not only able to identify that people are smiling, but also what the intent is of the smile based on voice intonation alone.
When calling any business number, you are often greeted with an automated voicemail greeting that helps guide you through the company directory, hours of operation, contact information and alternative steps for the call, such as leaving a message.
If you only check and return messages once a day or once a week, let your caller know. This will avoid multiple messages by the same caller.
Yes, you can be charged. This depends on the service. For example, Spectrum’s Voice Residential Services Price Guide charges $3.95 for voicemail.
It isn’t all luck. The reality is that 42% of sales reps feel unprepared for sales calls.
A good first impression goes a long way, and a voicemail greeting is the first impression to your business. An expertly crafted voicemail script lets your clients know you’re dependable, capable, and confident. An unprofessional voicemail script, on the other hand, can do the exact opposite.
This is also a great way to show you care about what they have to say and you’re inviting them to tell you.
15. “Hi, Thanks for giving us a call! Sorry, but we are closed right now. Please leave us your name, number and the best time to reach you and we’ll get back to you within the day. Thank you.”