The first version of this blog was written in 2016, since then there have been a plethora of updates with Microsoft Teams, Skype for Business Server 2019 and Exchange Server 2019. But it is clear that Microsoft is pulling the Voicemail component (Unified Messaging) out of the Exchange product. Here is the latest on the…
Website: https://ucsorted.com/2015/11/11/how-to-configure-office-365-unified-messaging-with-skype-for-business/
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18. “Thanks for calling [Company name/your name]. We hope you’re enjoying the holiday season. We aren’t available at the moment due to our holiday hours. Leave your name, number and the reason for your call and we’ll get back to you ASAP! Thanks for calling.” Everyone deserves a break. Let your callers know although you might be enjoying one too, that their needs are important.
Thank you for calling. You have reached (Your Name) at (Your Business). Please leave your name, number, and a brief message and I’ll return your call as soon as possible.
The system sets it. For a basic voicemail, it is three minutes. In a premium system, this time is five minutes.
Most people screen their phone calls and often avoid answering unknown numbers. If you’re applying for new positions, you should try to view each unexpected call as an exciting opportunity! In the event that you simply can’t pick up the phone, you’ll want a polished voicemail greeting to let the caller know they’ve reached the right person.
While a short recording may not seem like a place to win new business, the professionalism, courtesy, and clearness that you convey in your greeting will leave a favorable impression in a customer's mind. For more tips and scripts on professional phone and voicemail greetings, here are some additional blogs:
Creating a voicemail greeting might not be fun, but with the scripts I’ve shared, you should have an easier time. No need to practice time and time again — simply plug in your name, company title, and other details, then read it out loud to your phone’s voicemail greeting recorder. With a professional greeting, you’ll continue nurturing prospects even if you don’t pick up the phone.
The reason being it can either push your prospects away from you or retain them for longer.
For many, a voicemail greeting is the first impression a customer gets for a business. You need to make sure your company’s message matches your company’s image, so putting some thought and effort into your voicemail greeting is imperative. Wondering what it takes to come up with a proper business voicemail greeting? Here are 8 keys to creating the perfect voicemail recording. Click To Tweet
Context does matter here. If the caller would reasonably expect you to answer the phone (such as if they were calling a store or other place of business), an apology for not being able to get to the phone makes the most sense.
Set up Visual Voicemail. If your carrier supports Visual Voicemail, you can set it up with these steps: Go to the Phone app, then tap the Voicemail tab. Tap Set Up Now. Create a voicemail password, then tap Done. Enter your password again to confirm it, then tap Done. Select Custom or Default. If you choose Custom, you can record a new greeting.
Your prospects need to hear something which can make them hold on to what you are trying to tell them and that starts with a good attractive statement.
Do you have a landline at work? Make sure that all your phones, personal and business, have good clear, professional English voicemail greetings.
Expand your opening to with 'Thank you for calling [insert company/individual name]' or 'You've reached the voicemail of [insert company/individual name]'. This personal touch goes a long way towards building a rapport even when you're not available to answer the call directly.
To clear any customers doubts or expectations, make sure to mention on your voicemail when you’ll be available. Don’t say that you will “try” to return their call. Instead, offer them a realistic timeframe in which they can expect their call to be returned, so they know what to expect - whether it will take you 24 hours or a week to get back to them. This will eliminate your customer’s worries about your timeliness and encourage them to wait for your reply instead of heading over to your competitors.
14. “Thanks for giving us a call! We promise it’s never a bad time for [company name], but you’ve reached us after-hours. Please leave us your name, number and the best time to reach you and we’ll give you a call when we are open.” Let’s face it, you’re not always open. Yet that doesn’t mean you don’t want to help your caller. Let them know you’ll call them right back when you’re open again.