The bottom line is that a business’s situation is likely to change often and rapidly, each of which need a unique and applicable voicemail greeting to cover the circumstances and timeline. For example, callers shouldn’t reach a business-as-usual voicemail, and therefore expect a return call within the business day, if the subject they’re calling is out on vacation for two weeks. Such a lack of communication is a recipe to lose that caller’s trust and tarnish the brand’s reputation.
A well written script is the cornerstone of any great on hold message. It must capture the caller’s attention, so they remain engaged while navigating menu options or waiting on hold. The script that callers hear can set the tone for the rest of the conversation. It should also be in line with your goals, which can be broken down to 3 main objectives. It can be to inform the caller, promote the brand or product, or just entertain the caller. Most of all, it has to be engaging.
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Here are several tips to consider when setting up a professional voicemail greeting:
30. Hi, you’ve reached [your name] at [your company]. I’m unavailable right now on official duties. But if you leave your name and number and a brief message on why you are calling, I will call you back at the earliest opportunity.
18. Hello, you’ve reached the voicemail box for [employee name] at [company name]. [Employee first name] has moved onto a different position, but our new [job title, employee name] will be happy to assist you. Please call [number, extension] or leave a message here and a representative will get back to you.
Welcome to Business 1300 where our mission is to make your business even more outstanding. To better assist us in transferring the call to the appropriate person please select from one of the following options: Press one for Sales, two for Customer Service, and three for Reception. Promote your website and social media accounts. Sell additional products or services to already interested prospects. Answer FAQs Keep callers entertained while waiting. Supply important customer service information.
42. Hi, you’ve reached [X company]. Our team is currently out of the office or assisting other customers. Leave your name, number, and a brief message so we can direct your call to the proper team member when we return.
Solution: Have voicemails transcribed into text format so they can be quickly read as well as stored on a computer like any text file. “Then you can search voicemails for keywords like ‘I need a quote’ or ‘price is too high,’” says Dan Baldwin, an information and communications technology consultant for business owners with ICTLA in Lake Elsinore, California. Spectrum Business Voice offers customers more than 30 calling features, including the ability to have voicemails transcribed and then viewed online.
4. Vacation Day Voicemail Greeting. If your business is off for a holiday, it's a common courtesy to update your voicemail to acknowledge the closure. Mention the closure in the beginning of the message, convey when your business is reopening, and don't forget to wish the callers a happy holiday if the occasion calls for it.
Choose words and expressions that complement your business, brand and industry. As an example, a construction company would use words and expressions that convey high quality and solid workmanship; while a florist would use sensory descriptions that arouse smell and beauty.
If you need a longer script or are having a Q & A Voicemail Script recorded, please refer to the pricing chart at the bottom of this page.
Patrick and Roberta Heaney make sure guests enjoy visits to Mango Salon in Richmond, Virginia, with their Mango Concierge: "Using mobile technology, the Concierge helps guests pre-pay and re-book while still in the chair, saving them valuable time. This convenient service also helps them arrange local lunch or dinner deliveries or that Starbucks drink they didn't have time to grab on the way in. This additional value-added luxury ensures guests have everything they need to enjoy their service."
13. "Hello, you've reached [company]. If you're looking for information on [X], please check out our [Facebook page, company website, etc.] If you want to know more about [Y], take a look at [Z page on our site, our YouTube channel, etc.] Still have more questions, or just want to chat with our team? Leave your name and number, and we'll return your call straight away."
Velaro’s data is older, but they made an interesting finding that has probably only become more relevant in the years since: younger adults were less willing to wait on hold for any length of time. 40.8 percent of adults between 18 and 24 wouldn’t wait on hold at all, whereas only 27.7 percent of adults over 65 were unwilling to wait.
Features like Call Waiting, Rollover Hunting, and Call Queue with Music On-Hold ensure your customers never get a busy signal.
Website: https://www.wowforbusiness.com/docs/wow/product-support/voicemail-instructions.pdf
Text messaging has been around since 1992. Consumers expect you to have it. If you don’t have text messaging enabled on your landline, your customers won’t know that. Even after they text you, they may not know you didn’t get their message—they’ll simply assume you’re ignoring them.