If voice mail options are grayed out, you're using the Skype for Business voice mail service with cloud PSTN. Voice mail options aren't available in Outlook.
Press 2 to continue recording. (In other words, the # is a great “Pause” key; it holds the recording while you think.)
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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.
Increase the odds of getting a call back by mentally composing your message before each call. And remember, people hate it when callers state their name and phone number too quickly in voice mail messages – no one wants to listen to a message ten times to comprehend simple information. Begin by saying your name and company (if applicable). Then assume the person you’re calling doesn't have your number, so say your phone number twice. If your name is at all unusual, spell it the first time you say your phone number. Talk slowly like you were writing it down yourself. The second time you say your phone number, you can say it at your normal rate of speech. A gracious phone message is no longer than 30 – 45 seconds. Be pleasant, but also get right to the point. Keep your voice mail message to two points maximum. If you need to share more information, then say you will send an e-mail message with the rest of the details. Leave a specific message. There’s nothing more frustrating than a voice mail that says, “Hi, it’s me. Call when you can!” Even if you’re just calling to say “Hi”, tell them that in your message. End on a high note! You don’t necessarily need to say “Goodbye” at the end of a voice mail, because you didn’t really talk to anyone. Instead, try something like, “Look forward to talking* with you!”
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That’s the simple structure of a voicemail greeting. Overall, your greeting should be professional, but the wording can vary depending on the situation. Check out a sample below.
Don' let background noise do the talking for you. Ambient noise on your recording could be sending the wrong message to your clients. The sound of your kids arguing in the distance could be the sign of a distracting work environment. Clinking glasses and restaurant chatter may leave the impression that you don't take your work seriously. When you record your voicemail greeting choose a quiet spot free from interruption, so your message is the only thing callers hear. It's also good to avoid large, cavernous spaces where sound verberates.
Once again, by using these scripted, proven messages you’ll be giving yourself the best chance to hear back from your prospects and clients. And remember, even if their answer is no, that’s a lot better than chasing unqualified prospects who are never going to buy. Mike Brooks
It’s no wonder so many voice mail messages get deleted and never called back! If ever there was a situation that begged to be scripted, it’s your voicemail message. Isn’t this the time you want to sound your best, be perceived as a professional, and prepare the most polished message you can? Of course it is.
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The best text-to-speech voices don't sound robotic at all. Do a "text to speech" search in Google to explore your options. Type in your script and presto! You'll get an instant greeting with a natural sounding voice. You can select from a broad spectrum of male & female voices with any local or foreign accent you choose. LinkedPhone offers text-to-speech built right into our software. It's super popular and our users love it!
How can I transfer a live call to another person’s voicemail box without ringing that person’s phone?
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…
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.
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.”
Next to Message Storage, use the drop-down menu to select where you want to store your messages:
Out of town? Your callers should know. Let them know with the following vacation voicemail greetings.