JS Hello Me Community Experts in Multifamily Property Management, Apartment Investment, Apartment Marketing, Apartment Leasing, and Apartment Jobs HomeAbout Multifamily InsidersMultifamily NewsCulture and MissionContact UsMy MFIEdit ProfileInboxCommunityAll InsidersSearch InsidersEventsWebinar WednesdaysMastering MaintenanceSpeaker LineupInsiders' Choice Award WinnersWebinars On DemandSocial Multifamily ShareSpaceLinkedIn Multifamily HubDiscuss!Recent PostsPopular DiscussionsInsider BlogsMy BlogsMy Blog DashboardFile BankUpload FilesDealsResearchResident Events Listen to your Voicemail Greeting 10 years 5 months ago #6148 We all know how hard it is to answer the phone every single time it rings. The reality is, sometimes you just miss a call. Have you listened to your voicemail greeting recently? Being a marketing partner, and currently an apartment shopper, I call apartment communities just about every day. I definitely get plenty of voicemail greetings, especially if I call close to the lunch hour, that wouldn't encourage me whatsoever to call back if I were a prospect! I'm going to start working with my clients on their voicemail greetings - what do the seasoned experts out there think they should include and sound like? Are there any guidelines you would suggest? My industry mentor tells me that properties tend to take on the personality of their managers; how do we apply that belief to even the smallest things like voicemail? Colin Hagan Topic Author Posts: 10 Thank you received: 0 Re:Listen to your Voicemail Greeting 10 years 5 months ago #6149 You know, I'm not a big fan of having a voice mail message picking up for the property when the office staff is busy or not there. I think it's a good idea to consider using an answering service or perhaps a third party service that can answer questions, send info, or maybe set appointments. I can understand where a prospective rent may not be inclined to visit a community they call and do not get a live person on the phone. My company does use an answering service and the service is usually successful at getting the name, number, floor plan, and lead source when we are not able to answer. Denny Humphrey Posts: 16 Thank you received: 0 Re:Listen to your Voicemail Greeting 10 years 5 months ago #6152 This is completely personal but I CANNOT stand when I call a place and there voicemail message is longer than 30 seconds... If it's too long I'm hanging up or if someone sounds overly cheerful or bored... Chrissy Surprenant Posts: 118 Thank you received: 1 Re:Listen to your Voicemail Greeting 10 years 5 months ago #6160 I have shopped many properties over the years. Some VM messages are good, some are less than good and some are just plain BAD!! Maybe it's just me, but if the message sends me to the property web site, I get annoyed! I was just on the web site!!Now I'm ready to talk to a real live person!! I have used call centers who answer after so many rings with good and bad results. I am not a fan of the Auto-Systems that answer and give you 20 other choices and when you make a choice, you hear another message! We have about 10 seconds or less to capture a callers attention, sound different from the competition, and make yourself sound interesting enough for them to want to leave a message. The message should be clear, quick and concise. Gerry Hunt Re:Listen to your Voicemail Greeting 10 years 5 months ago #6167 Great points Gerry and Chrissy, I agree totally. Messages should be no more than 30 seconds and even getting close to that mark is too much. Make your point, don't be sales pitch-y and then let them leave the message. For me when I hear an answering machine message I'm just waiting for the tone so I can start talking... I'm really not paying much attention to what they are saying. If voice mail messages were a closing tool we'd have a source code for them. Ha! Bill Szczytko Posts: 64 Thank you received: 0 Re:Listen to your Voicemail Greeting 10 years 5 months ago #6169 Re:Listen to your Voicemail Greeting 10 years 5 months ago #6172 I hate the VM's that start with "press 1 if this is a maintenance emergency." If you are calling to inquire about leasing, the first thing you think is "this place needs maintenance. Danny Soule Posts: 19 Thank you received: 0 Re:Listen to your Voicemail Greeting 10 years 5 months ago #6185 Chrissy, you make me smile!! When a property has a website it should be on all advertising, flyers, and correspondence. The company paid big bucks to have the web site developed; we want to direct folks to it!! It is also a great tool to use when talking to a prospect on the phone. The leasing person can direct the prospect to the site and talk about floor plans and amenities WITH the prospect! In my opinion VM tend to be to long and boring. By the time I call the property, I just want to talk with a PERSON! I have been to the web site, and I don’t want to be directed back to it! Of course, I am also in the business and maybe just a little impatient!! Re:Listen to your Voicemail Greeting 10 years 5 months ago #6188 At least I made you smile... I'm still right though hahaha!! Sorry I had to tease you a little ;)
Before recording your message, you should also make sure to adhere to the basic elements of good voicemail greetings. basic elements of good voicemail greetings. Hello, you have reached Jim Smith. I will be out of the office until Wednesday, Aug. 23.

As a small business, it’s important to find ways to keep your customers engaged, even when you aren’t able to answer the phone. Though social media marketing and e-commerce are becoming more prominent, connecting to customers by phone is still a tried and true staple of the business world. Your voicemail greeting is an opportunity for you to engage with your customers, an …
“Hello, you’ve reached [your name, the office of X company]. The team is currently out of the office, but we’ll be back on [date] stuffed with good food and eager to speak with you. Leave your name, number, and — if you’re so inclined — your favorite [holiday dish, Thanksgiving tradition, etc.]” “Hi, you’ve reached [your name, the office of X company]. We’re closed until [date]. Please leave your name and phone number and someone will return your call ASAP. Have a great [New Year’s, Fourth of July, day].” “Happy holidays! [I’m, the team at X company is] away until [date], however, we’ll make sure to call you back straight away when we return. If your request is urgent, email [emergency contact] at [email address]. Thanks, and have a wonderful [day, week].” Join me in updating our voicemail greetings — so that people everywhere will be impressed by our professional voicemails. Recent Posts Get Verified on Instagram in Six Simple Steps TikTok Basics – Authenticity and Brands Brand Loyalty Remains High Anvixa™ Ranked #1 Social Media Agency in Miami The 10 Most Expensive Logo Redesign & Brand Campaigns Categories Advertising Anvixa News Business Design Lifestyle Marketing Mobile Social Media Web Development Digital Advertising Social Media Content Production Social Media Management Social Media Advertising Website Development coming soon eCommerce Marketing coming soon Fashion Marketing coming soon R.E. Brokerage Marketing coming soon RESMA™ REALTOR® Program REALTOR® Marketing under development Blogs & Stories Web Design Portfolio Accessibility Statement Terms of Services Privacy Policy Blog Growth MarketingGuidesLead GenerationLead NurturingProduct updatesSales Instantly engage users Talk to your customers, directly on your site, app and mobile devices.