‘A’ stands for academics, ‘B’ stands for beer, and ‘C’ stands for camping. These are just one of the reasons why I’m not here. Leave a message and I’ll call back ASAP!
Recognize Their Need. When someone calls your business, the voicemail should give them a sense of validation. This means that your voicemail should extend gratitude for their interest in your business, or an apology for not being there to answer your call. These two simple courtesies can go a long way in the creation or establishment of client/business trust. Make it Informative for the Caller. Your voicemail must include all the information the customer will need for your particular business. For instance, if you’re a brick and mortar establishment, it’s wise to include your store hours. It’s also a good idea to leave them an alternate way to contact you, especially if it’s after hours. After all, you don’t want to miss just one potential customer. Here are some suggestions for elements to include in your voicemail: Business name Hours (if brick and mortar) Alternate method of contact, such as email Your name

Your voicemail message should ideally answer all of the following requirements: Brief -- nothing bores callers as much (or makes them hang up as often) as long voicemail messages Informative -- if it's your professional voicemail, say your name, business, and if necessary, department.
I once made a voicemail message for myself with a buddy of mine. It was a standard greeting until I got to the "leave a message" part where I broke off and tried to unsuccessfully defend myself from a man with a knife. We used a watermelon for gory sounds as my buddy stabbed it close to the mic and I screamed and gargled.