Microsoft’s 2015 Global State of Multichannel Customer Service Report concluded that the telephone is still the most-used customer service channel in the United States (81%), followed closely by email (78%). And with so many consumers still picking up the phone, voicemail may still be necessary.
Letting callers know to leave their name and number so you can call them back is an excellent way to get the right information that you may need from someone that you missed a call from. Otherwise, you might be left with a number with no name to ask for or vice versa. If you run a business and want to include something that usually comes up in professional phone calls, include that as well. For example, if people often ask you to check on business orders, ask them to leave the shipping number so you can get back to them with a ready response.

This is the time to show your personality. People are more at ease with someone with a bit of excitement in their voice because it shows that they are capable of holding a conversation. Just because you want to come off as professional does not mean you need to come off as monotone or unapproachable. If you’re funny, you could even add a joke to your message. Just be sure that you sound approachable and warm.
Whether you recognize it or not your recorded voicemail greeting makes an impression on everyone who hears it. A professional greeting can make a positive impression, a goofy greeting can make a negative impression and an automated greeting could be viewed as impersonal and inconsiderate. In this lesson I will share some basic things you can do to record an impressive voice mail greeting.