If you leave a message, here is a collection of techniques that have gotten calls returned: First name and number only (in a very businesslike manner). It seems that calls are returned in inverse proportion to the amount of information left. Be funny Clean wit will get response. Be indirect “I was going to mail you important information, and I wanted to confirm your address.” Offer fun “I had two extra tickets to the Knights game and I thought you might be interested. (here’s the sure shot) Please call me if you can’t go so I’m able to give the tickets to someone else.” If it was positive first meeting, remind the prospect where you met. Dangle the carrot. Leave just enough information to entice. Ask a provocative or thought provoking question.
"Smile when you are talking and put energy behind your words," says Charlene DeCesare, a veteran sales advisor and founder of Firewalk Sales School. "Even though they can’t see you, your emotion will come through. If you let it, the power of your voice will be far more effective than any written communication."
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“Hi! You have reached [your business]. All of our staff are currently busy helping other callers. We understand how valuable your time is, and rather than keeping you on hold, we will make sure to call you back.Be sure to leave us a detailed message with your name and number. We will return your call within two business hours. Thanks!”
Rehearse or write down your message before recording it. Remember that old saying “practice makes perfect?” It’s certainly true when it comes to creating an electronic greeting. The more you’ve rehearsed, the easier the message will be to restate. If you don’t have time to practice, writing down the greeting before recording it – and then reading it aloud from the paper – may help you stay focused on the correct wording.
21. “Happy holidays. Thanks for calling OpenPhone. Our hours are a little different during the holiday season. Please listen carefully to the following changes. Customer Support is available December 23, 27, and 30th as well as January 2nd, 3rd from 11 AM – 5 PM EST. On December 24th, 31st, and the holiday weekends from the 21st to the 5th we are open from 12 PM – 3 PM EST. We are closed on December 25th, 26th as well as January 1st. In the case of an emergency, please leave a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. You can also reach out via email to [email protected]. Thanks for using OpenPhone and enjoy your holiday season!” Since our holiday hours are shorter, it’s a little harder to get in contact with us immediately. That means we need to be as detailed as possible for our callers’ convenience. Yet, we still kept it brief and friendly.
Sticking with our "Andy Applicant" example, if Andy had left Hannah Hiring Manager a voicemail of, “It’s me and I would like to talk to you.” She will not know who Andy is nor what Andy wants to talk about. Effectively she will be answering Andy’s questions on the spot the whole time after she figures out how to get in touch with him. What if she forgets to mention something?
Access your voicemail Dial *98 from your home phone. If you are away from home, dial your access number and follow the prompts, or dial your phone number, then press the * key when you hear the greeting.
It is as simple as that. Once you have left a message, document the call and the action that was taken in your client record. If you continue to only reach the client’s voicemail, after several failed attempts: What to Do. Send a collection letter. There could be a reason the client is not receiving or responding to your messages via phone.
Tap “Call Settings,” and then tap “Voicemail Settings.” Tap “Voicemail Number.” Type the voicemail number into the box or edit the existing voicemail number. Tap “OK” to save your changes. Google Voice. Google Voice is a popular offering that has been around for quite some time. HulloMail Smart Voicemail. Visual Voicemail Plus. InstaVoice. YouMail Robocall Blocker & Voicemail.
2. "Hi, you've reached [name] at [company]. If you need a quick response, please shoot me an email at [insert email address] and I'll be in touch by EOD tomorrow.
“Hello! You've reached the voicemail of [your name], [your job title]. I'm currently either away from my desk or on the other line. Please leave your name, telephone number, and a short message after the beep, and I'll be sure to get back to you as soon as I'm available.”
Hedge your bets by giving them two ways to respond. A simple, "I'll also follow up with an email," before you hang up, is short, concise, and shows thoroughness on your part.
So, how do you protect your information? There are a few settings and privacy apps that can help.
My wife and I can’t come to the phone right now, but if you’ll leave your name and number we’ll get back to you as soon as we’re finished.
The Android operating system includes a native visual voicemail that lets you view voicemail messages in text form. If you have an older Android phone or if your service provider doesn’t offer visual voicemail, you can download a third-party app. Select Phone. Select Keypad. Press and hold the number 1. If your voicemail is not set up, select ADD NUMBER. Select Voicemail number. Enter the Voicemail number and select OK. Repeat steps 2-4 to check your voicemail.
In addition to showing active listening, you've also awoken their curiosity about what question you want to ask. Once they're back on the phone, you can confirm a date and time for your next meeting.
A separate after-hours attendant menu can inform callers that your office is closed, state your business’ operating hours, and provide options that callers can immediately act upon. For example, you can direct them to your website for FAQs. If your business provides an account login page, remind your customers that they can login at any time to get general account information. In this situation, be proactive.