So, make your goal to find common ground, and share how knowledgeable and experienced you are, no matter who you are calling. You shouldn’t brag about your success, but there is a time and place for others to know your success. That is the key to leaving voicemail messages that get returned!
There is something about that voicemail beep that sends brains into panic mode, and we will start spewing out words as fast as possible to get the awkwardness of talking to a machine over with. The problem is if you speak too quickly, your listener won’t be able to understand what you’re saying –making the whole point of the voicemail irrelevant.
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1. Call the UCSF voicemail system using the number appropriate for your location, then log in to your mailbox. From a Campus phone, call x66000 or press the Message Waiting button on your phone. From an off-campus phone, call 415-476-6000 and press the Star key when you reach the voicemail system. You will be prompted for your ID; enter your 5-digit phone extension. From a mobile phone, call 415-476-6000 and press the Star key when you reach the voicemail system. You will be prompted for your ID; enter your 5-digit phone extension.
Examples for External Voicemail Greetings. Hello, you have reached Margaret Smith; XYZ company’s sales manager. You call is valuable for us, but I cannot answer the phone at this moment. You are requested to leave your message here after the tone. Hi, this is Margaret Smith; XYZ company’s sales manager.
My number is [phone number]. I’ll also follow up with an email tomorrow. I look forward to hearing what you think. The key to making a script work is to practice. You can’t read it line-for-line, so it’s important to work out the kinks before you place your call, including: Your name Your reason for calling The benefit of calling you back Your contact information Your promise of a follow-up email
No one should be calling during the holidays, and yet some people do. When you’re out for the holidays, create a voicemail greeting that communicates the cheerfulness of the season while still staying professional.
To end the voicemail, state (or restate) your main question, then say your phone number. You can also say you’ll follow-up with an email. Now, this isn’t the same as saying, “If I don’t hear from you, you’ll hear from me!” Instead, it’s giving them another way to contact you, one they may be more comfortable with. They should still feel a responsibility to respond to your question, but now they have two options for how to get back in touch. (Then send that email, of course.)
I don’t mind it so much for people I know. I have to deal with them on a daily basis, so I can’t hold voicemail grudges against them. However, if someone cold calls me or it’s just an acquaintance that calls, a crappy voicemail annoys me and leaves a bad impression.
6. Alternatively, from the list of messages, press and hold the voicemail then select “Delete,” then confirm the deletion.
When you leave a voicemail do not use your full name because that immediately raises a red flat that you are a salesperson making a cold call. Instead, say your first name only followed by your company name. This will make your customer feel that you are much more familiar with each other than you really are. Saying your last name would defeat the whole purpose of demonstrating familiarity.
If you want to improve your voicemail performance, get deliberate in your practice. This means creating a highly structured practice routine that offers ample opportunity for repetition and immediate feedback.
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.
Sometimes a little humor is the perfect tactic to break through a prospect's defenses and get them to call you back. This script adapted from Michael Freer will make your leads chuckle and be much more inclined to respond.
The attendant menu for your main contact number may be the first form of contact that a customer has with your business. Make sure your greeting is clearly articulated. Provide an option to speak with an operator if the caller has a question that is not addressed by the menu options.
Simply speak into your phone or computer while recording a greeting with your business phone service. If you need to create your own audio file, the voice memo app on your phone should do fine.
Southeastern > Administration > Client Services > Telephone/Data Support Center > Audix Voice Mail Reference Sheet Client Services About Us Staff Help Desk Computer Resales Telephone/Data Support Center Student Technology Center Office of Technology
“(Intro) I’m calling regarding the voicemail I left you (earlier today/yesterday) about (example: how we recently helped competitor 1, 2, and 3 avoid ______ while ______) and wanted to see if it would make sense for us to have a conversation to determine if what we do would be of some help to you as well. If you’d like to discuss this further you can reach me at __________. I’ll send a follow up email to this message so if it’s easier to reply that way you can or if you’d rather talk via the phone, again, my number is _________.”