Now opinions Modern etiquette: Does voicemail make you nervous? Aug. 1, 2014 06:00 am JST July 28, 2014 | 10:26 am JST
That’s not to say strip all emotion and personality out of your voicemail, but be yourself! Presumably, you are leaving a voicemail with someone because you want to continue a conversation with them either by phone or in person. What will they think if the “personality” of the voicemail doesn’t match the one in more fluid forms of correspondence? Knowing how to leave a voicemail that is equal parts succinct, professional and courteous can be hard for those not accustomed to doing so.
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It is no surprise that your actual voice mail greeting must be delivered in the same way: Professional, clear, brief, and to the point. In a previous blog, "Marketing Messages on Your Cell Say You Mean Business," some techniques for making a professional voice mail greeting were discussed. There are many similarities between leaving a voice mail, and producing a voice mail greeting. You want your callers and receivers to hear a confident and professional person on the other end delivering a coherent message. You should introduce yourself to a prospective client in a personal way. An email doesn't generate much discussion, nor does it necessarily show you went the extra mile in contacting the client. Generating conversation. A professional, well conveyed voice message shows the voice mail receiver that you are confident and well-spoken, and that there is a person behind the message. Emails can be prepared, edited, and revised unlike voice mail messages An email or email chain thread is documentation of a conversation that can easily be referenced In an email you can include a phone number, address, website, etc that may be hard to remember or record through voice mail communication Emails can be forwarded, CC'ed, and blasted.
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Avoid background noise. Whether you have music playing in your office, or you’re sitting in a coffee shop, background noise can make it difficult for your customers to understand your greeting. Limit the noise around you when you leave your voicemail greeting.
However, keep in mind that your prospects might be faced with a lot more distractions at the beginning of the day. "The morning is the worst time to orchestrate a voicemail," says Zachary Weiner, CEO of Emerging Insider Communications. "Most decision makers have a lot on their plate when the day starts. Finding them when they have a bit more mind-share is often more conducive to a positive reply."
Many messaging apps now offer the ability to send voice messages to contacts without having to make a phone call in the first place. Using this method, you're bypassing a phone call and voicemail entirely, but it serves the same purpose.
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"I did have at one point in time like 103 unheard messages," says 31-year-old Antonia Kidd.
You should also research other people in the prospect’s organization. Selecting the right people, such as the prospect’s manager or department head, facilitates the ability to build rapport and adds a sense of urgency when you mention them in the voicemail.
At its core, sales is a people-oriented practice — so naturally, if you want to leave an effective sales voicemail, you need to sound like a person. If you sound too rigid or robotic, your message might come off as imposing or impersonal.
All sorts of funny issues can occur when your phone hasn’t had a reboot in a while. Rebooting allows your phone to clear out and fix any issues. So try switching it off for at least five minutes, then see if the problem is resolved.
The last step is to end the recording and save your voicemail. It’s a good practice to leave your contact number once again before you end your message so that your recipient can easily call you back.
You’ve worked hard on your application. You’ve double- and triple-checked for spelling errors and you know you are a perfect fit for this job. You’ve followed up on your application and made such a great impression that the employer decides they want to call you in for an interview. You are checking your phone, anxiously awaiting the call…but nothing seems to happen.
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While both types of messages should be customized to a given buyer, voicemails should be ultra-specific. In an email, I might ask for a referral, an appointment, or feedback on a content asset they downloaded. These sorts of classic questions -- while still tailored to the buyer -- can be customized for reuse with another prospect, or another 100 prospects.
Sending an email to each prospect before you call gives them an additional way to get in touch with you when they're ready. As you're leaving your voicemail, mention that you've sent them a quick email as well that has further details on who you are and the purpose of your call. As Florin Tatulea of Loopio explains: