And it isn't like you're wasting their time with the longer message. This person called you, which means that they set aside, at minimum, about 5 minutes for their call and they were mentally prepared to spend at least a minute on polite "Hi Bob, how are you and the family?" chit-chat, so a message that is 10 seconds longer is NOT an imposition.
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.