We might also say, “…when I can’t get to my phone” which suggests that it’s not possible for you to check or answer your phone.
3. Call your voicemail by dialing the number using the dial pad or press and hold “1.”
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If callers are getting a message saying that your voicemail is full but you have already deleted all of your voicemails on the iPhone and you can see in Settings that voicemails are not taking up any memory- dial *86 from your phone and then press & hold the 1 button.
2. Enter your Personal Identification Number (PIN), and press #. Note: If this is your first time logging in, enter your temporary PIN and press #. You will be prompted to select a new PIN and enter it. Your temporary PIN will be provided when your account is set up. Keypad Greeting 1 Standard - plays during normal business hours 2 Closed - plays after standard business hours 3 Alternate - plays during a specific time period when you want to indicate special circumstances 4 Busy - plays when you are on another phone call 5 Sample Greeting: "Thank you for calling. You have reached the voicemail box for [Name]. Please leave a detailed message, and I'll return your call as soon as possible."
So, consider changing your voicemails. Leave behind the typical “give me a call back when you can,” and instead expand on your services and purpose.
The first two are voicemails for prospects you haven’t spoken with yet, the next one is for when you’re calling a prospect or client back, and the last example is for when your prospect or client isn’t calling you back at all:
“Hey [Prospect's Name], this is [Your Name] from [Your Company Name]. I have a question for you. Please call me back at [insert phone number].”
Click on the video below for more great tips for a perfect voicemail from Corporate Speech Solutions President, Jayne Latz:
Don’t confuse voice mail with automatic attendant systems. Automatic attendant, where the computer actually answers the phone, is the single worst business invention ever. Human answers. Human determines if the person you’re calling is in by ringing their phone and monitoring the response. If not in, human returns and says, “Mr. Jones is not in. Would you like me to help you personally, take your message personally or would you like to leave a detailed message on his or her voice mail?” You faint from the shock.
“Leave a partial message that includes your name and phone number and pretend to get cut off in midsentence as you’re getting to the important part of the message.” Your name came up in an important conversation today with Hugh… They were talking about you and said… I have a deal that could deliver you a hundred thou… I’m interested in your… I have your… I found your… I have information about your… Your competition said… I’m calling about your inheritance… Are you the (persons full name) who… We wanted to be sure you got your share of… I’m calling about the money you left at…
Sticking with our "Andy Applicant" example, if Andy had left Hannah Hiring Manager a voicemail of, “It’s me and I would like to talk to you.” She will not know who Andy is nor what Andy wants to talk about. Effectively she will be answering Andy’s questions on the spot the whole time after she figures out how to get in touch with him. What if she forgets to mention something?
5. Voicemail greetings for holidays. Your customers might need you on the holidays. If you’re a business owner, you know this already. 🙂 Manage customer expectations and let them know how to get assistance.
Because you never know the quality of someone’s phone audio or your cell phone service, it's not a bad idea to give your name and phone number twice within your message. The thought being, if the person you called can’t understand who you are or how to call you back, how can they be expected to return your call?
“Leave a partial message that includes your name and phone number and pretend to get cut off in midsentence as you’re getting to the important part of the message.” Your name came up in an important conversation today with Hugh… They were talking about you and said… I have a deal that could deliver you a hundred thou… I’m interested in your… I have your… I found your… I have information about your… Your competition said… I’m calling about your inheritance… Are you the (persons full name) who… We wanted to be sure you got your share of… I’m calling about the money you left at…
Hi. This is John: If you are the phone company, I already sent the money. If you are my parents, please send money. If you are my financial aid institution, you didn’t lend me enough money. If you are my friends, you owe me money. If you are a female, don’t worry,
555-555-2345Hello, thank you for calling the office of Dr. Harold Tweed. I can’t come to the phone right now; please leave your name, number, and message at the tone. If this is an emergency, please contact either my personal assistant at 555-555-2345 or myself at 555-555-3234 and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for your call.
When you’re looking for a job, a good rule of thumb is to answer your phone as often as you can. You never know when a recruiter might be calling to set up an in-person meeting, or conduct a phone interview.