First and foremost, it nearly goes without saying that it’s important to get a dedicated number specifically for work-related calls, but let’s just say it. Many of us working from home have had to deal with using our home phone number or getting an additional land-line installed. Those days of dial-up are long gone for most of us and it seems nearly everyone on earth now has a cell phone. There’s really no excuse not to have a dedicated work number these days. If you don’t have one, secure one today. It’s even easier than you think if you also consider options like Google Voice and My1Voice. You’d think this also goes without saying, but don’t leave the standard voicemail provided by your cell phone carrier or answering machine. It’s annoying. Everyone hates them. And don’t think that saying your name at the beep to customize your message helps. It’s just as annoying to hear the robotic voice that pauses as your voice interrupts the message to insert your name. Actually say your name You think I’m joking? I called someone just last week and when I got the voicemail it just repeated the number. I dialed by choosing the contact from my contacts and I’m not good with numbers. I wasn’t sure if the number was the number I mean to call, so I just hung up. It happens. Reveal specific information If it’s a typical work day and you’re just unable to answer your phone, it’s fine to say you’re currently unavailable. But if you’re sunning yourself on the beaches of Tahiti and have no intention of even checking your voicemail until you return to your desk in two weeks, it would be nice to let someone know. If they’re calling you they must need something. Let them know when you’ll be available. Give an emergency option Depending on what you do for a living, or just how accessible you want to appear to a potential employer, leaving an additional option for the caller to reach you often makes a good impression. Doctors offices do that all the time, right. If you can’t reach me this way, you can reach me THIS way. Or, you can reach someone else who can help you right now. KISS Keep It Simple, Stupid. You don’t want to speak like an auctioneer, but you do want to get as much information across as quickly as possible and get on to the beep. Your caller doesn’t need to know your life history, just the current facts and then sufficient space to leave you a message. Write it down Put some thought into exactly what you want to say. Don’t just hit record and play around until you’re satisfied that your message doesn’t suck. Think about it. Write down what you want to say and give it a try. Rearrange things, revise things. And, when you’re ready, hit the record button and give it a whirl. Smile Did you know that it’s believed that some 50 different types of smiles exist, from triumphant ones to bitter ones. Interestingly enough, there was a study a couple years ago where scientists used the phrase “I do in the summertime” to study the effects of smiling on person’s voice. Read all about in Smile – And The World Can Hear You, Even If You Hide. Or listen to the NPR show, Hearing a Smile in Tone of Voice. So close your eyes and think of your happy place. Think of something funny or amusing. Then, right before you hit the record button and begin speaking, SMILE. Callers will hear it. Just make sure you’re not actively laughing like the Joker from Batman throughout your voicemail greeting. Cut the comedy Smiling is a good thing. Acting like a clown, not so much. Cutesy comedic messages really don’t have a place on your work voicemail greeting. Be considerate Above all, consider the caller. A considerate message lets them know they’re important and that you’ll be returning their call. Even if the sun and moon revolve around your every move, your voicemail greeting isn’t the place for egocentric SOMETHING Listen to your messages and return calls
As a professional business, in no way should you ever resort to leaving one of those generic, pre-recorded, “No one is here to take your call” messages that the phone company often provides. Record a greeting yourself, or have one professionally done for you. If you choose to record a greeting yourself for your office phone, there are a few simple keys that you should keep in mind:
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Making an outline of the call flow and writing out scripts for each phase and menu in it can help ensure that there are no gaps in the process from start to finish. This way, callers can reach the voicemail recording in the first place.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. Chances are, that voicemail that you’ve recorded and deleted thirty times has been just fine. Your main goal is not to get in the way of the caller leaving a message, which is exactly what can happen if you overthink it or drone on too long.
For a downloadable Quick Reference Guide to the voicemail phone menu, click here.
Little things like a great voicemail can really set you apart from your competition. Think about it. Would you be more inclined to want to interview someone who is shouting about how much they hate calling people back, or the person who simply asks you to leave a message? Andrea (she/her) is our head of PR at Snagajob, where she’s focused on telling the world how we help hourly workers and employers. Her first hourly job was as a lifeguard.
“Good afternoon. You have reached the office of [your name]. I will be out of the office beginning on [date] and will be returning on [date]. Please leave a brief message with your contact information, and I’ll be sure to get back to you as soon as I return on [date]. If this is an emergency or you need to speak with someone before I return, please contact [name of colleague/supervisor], [their job title], at [their phone number].”
20. Hi, you’ve reached [your name]’s phone. I’m busy making deals or rock climbing [replace with your personal hobbies], so leave your contact information and a brief message so I can call you back when I have a free moment.
You found and applied for the perfect telecommuting job but it’s been weeks and you can’t understand why you haven’t heard back. Well, maybe they called and got your voicemail and it sounded something like this . . .
While certain VoIP features (such as Simultaneous Ring and Find Me/Follow Me) help ensure that you don’t miss out on important calls, it can also be difficult to answer every single call that comes in, especially if you’re running a small business with limited staff. A clear, helpful, and customized voicemail greeting can be the next thing to help establish your brand and customer base. Related Blog Posts Best VoIP Providers for Making Cheap Calls to China in 2021Competitors to Vonage in 2021Scammers and VoIP: What you need to know about illegal phone scamsLandline versus VoIP: Which Is Better?Ways Virtual Numbers Help Boost Your BusinessWebRTC and VoIP: Do They Connect or Clash?How Business VoIP Takes the Stress Out of Moving Offices3 Ways to Use Hold Music to Keep Callers on the LineWhy You Should Get a Business VoIP Phone for Your Home BusinessTop 3 Reasons Pay As You Go VoIP Plans are Perfect for Small Businesses
Voicemail messages are important, they solve the basic issue of not missing out on any leads.
36. Hello. You’ve reached the office of [your name] at [your company]. I will be out of the office from [date] to [date]. Please leave your contact information with a brief message, and I will call you back as soon as I have the chance. If you need to speak with someone urgently, please contact [name of colleague] at [email or phone number]. Thanks for calling.
12. "Hi, you've reached [company]. We're available by phone from [hour] to [hour] [time zone] Monday through Friday [optional: and from hour to hour on the weekends]. You can also contact us by going to our website, [URL], and live-chatting or emailing us. If you'd like us to call you back, please leave your name and number after the tone."
Call your home phone number. Press # to interrupt the greeting, and then enter your PIN. Follow the prompts to listen to your messages. (Note: In some areas, the # key will not interrupt the greeting. Try pressing * or 2 instead.)
ShoreTel (NASDAQ: SHOR:$6.45), a trusted provider of telecommunication systems to enterprises worldwide, recognizes the important role that their channel partners and resellers play in the success of...
Vacation Business Voicemail Example Templates. As a small business, it’s not uncommon for the whole business to go on vacation, especially if you are the sole service provider. If this is the case for your company, or if you get a lot of business calls on your personal phone, it is wise to let potential customers know.
About Us Integrations Technology Partners Partner Programs Contact Us Products Business Phone System SIP Trunking Contact Center Monster SMS Video Meetings Professional Voice Recordings Phones Solutions Enterprise Small Business Residential Pricing Blog About Us Integrations Technology Partners Partner Programs Contact Us Products Business Phone System SIP Trunking Contact Center Monster SMS Video Meetings Professional Voice Recordings Phones Solutions Enterprise Small Business Residential Pricing Blog If you want your business’s first impression to be a positive one, do you do so with your voicemail greeting. You want your greeting to be such that it matches your business’s good image.