The New York Times reported in June that the phone service Vonage saw a significant drop in voice mail retrievals over the past year.
Ok so let’s say you’ve made a few calls and have left several messages and you don’t want to leave another one… if that’s the case, at least hang up before the end of their “leave a message after the tone” instructions so that they don’t get notified of a voicemail just to hear you hanging upon them.
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We actually know a top insurance sales guy who did a sales motivational message every day just like this, and people used to call just to listen to his thoughts.
You need the caller to feel like they’re responsible for taking the next step. “Call me back” is too generic (and can come off as a little desperate, too, which is a turn-off), and saying you’ll follow-up with them completely removes any responsibility on their part.
With social media, blogs, email marketing, and yes…voicemail greetings, businesses have lots of opportunities to make an impression. But it’s important to make the right impression. Callers will make inferences on what you say and how you say it, and you don't always get another chance to make a positive impact. You want prospective customers to leave a message. You want them to get a great first impression of your business. So, you need professional voicemail greetings. Here’s how you get them…
Here is the classic template – adjust and adapt it to fit your product or service. In this and all examples, leave your phone number SLOWLY:
As I said, I use a “3 strikes, you’re out” rule. You may find that 4, 5, 10 or 20 works best for you, but for me, it’s 3.
Thank you for calling [LinkedPhone]. Due to the current pandemic, our team members are working remotely and are available [Monday through Friday from 9am to 7pm Eastern Standard Time]. Please leave a message with your name, number, and how we can serve you. We will respond as promptly as possible. Thank you for your patience during this unprecedented time. Let’s get through this together. Stay safe and well.
I will share examples with you, so it’s easier for you to remember and also, so that you can start using them straight away.
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2. If the trashcan icon is not available, from the top right-hand corner, click on the three-dotted menu, then select “Edit.”
This message is for Ms. Smith. This Laura from Dr. Tracy’s office calling about your last appointment. We’d like to share some details regarding your visit with you. You can return my call at 444-444-4444 anytime, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Have a good day.
Arguably the most intimidating factor when leaving a voice mail is the fact that once you leave the message, "in one take," there is no taking it back. That is why, especially in the business world, an overwhelming amount of people revert to email rather than leaving a voice mail message. Especially in a technologically advanced world, email or text messages are now used as a primary form of communication. Although there is a good argument behind opting for the written word over the spoken one, an email can lack the human touch, the emotion and enthusiasm in a voice, that can often times generate a better response. In fact, there is no impact that compares to delivering a clear, concise, professional message through your own unique human voice.
6. Write It Out And Rehearse. Unless you’re part of the 1% of people who love and excel at public speaking, you probably have a hard time conveying an unscripted message without a few pauses and 'um's here and there.
If you have voicemails saved on a non-smart phone, your best bet is to record them on a computer. This is a method that requires some equipment, but not as much as you might think.
1. Call your number. It's that simple. Use any landline or cell phone to dial your mobile or landline number. Dial the full number. Make sure someone doesn't actually answer the phone you are calling when it rings, though. Make sure you dial the area code with the number.
Having a reference sheet will help you stay focused while delivering your message. Make sure to keep your outline concise; only include the essential points that you intend to cover in your message.