For more general advice on voicemail messages, read our tips and examples for business voicemail greetings. Business Voicemail Etiquette I: Creating Professional Outgoing Greetings
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
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After all, a professional voicemail recording boosts your credibility, makes you seem more competent, and encourages whoever's listening to it to continue the relationship.
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Avoid These 3 Voicemail Mishaps When Job SearchingAvoid these scenarios with your voicemail during your job search.
Have you ever stopped to hear the following, ‘’Hi, this is [your name] of [your business]. I’m currently unable to take your call. Please leave your name, phone number, and a brief message, and I will contact you as soon as possible. Thanks.
Many businesses try to save money by selecting an amateur voice actor from inside the company to provide a recording. The trouble with this is that: The “actor” is typically an amateur with no voiceover experience. The company doesn’t have personnel with directing voiceover. The “actor’s” goal is to finish quickly and get back to work, not make the best-quality recording.
5. Hi, this is [your name]. I can’t get to the phone right now, but please leave a message with your name and number, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Use Skype for Business for Windows. With Microsoft Skype for Business, you do not need to enter a PIN or extension number. To access your voice mail: In the main Skype for Business window, just above the search bar, click the Phone icon (). You'll see your voice mail below the dial pad. Mouse over a voice mail message, and click the play button
“Greetings! You’ve reached [your name and position]’s voicemail. I am away from my phone or [other important and expected job function]. Please leave me your name, telephone number, and a short message. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can, typically within [reasonable timeframe, like 12 or 24 hours].” How do I record my company voicemail?
Some people may be uncomfortable leaving voicemails and will hang up instead. You don’t want to lose customers simply because they don’t want to leave messages.
Cox Business only masks caller id upon your request, and there is no upfront or recurring charge for this service. If you are unsure about whether or not your caller id is masked, contact a Cox representative. If your caller id is masked on your phone lines, you will need to follow this process to initialize and check your voice mailboxes:
Connect more with the Optimum Business TV package that’s right for your customers and employees.
Open your phone’s voicemail and find the message you want to save. In your audio recording program, click record, and play the message. When the message is done, stop the recording.
Monster VoIP offers various services and much more! If you need assistance in enhancing your company’s unified communications, contact Monster VoIP today to find out how we can help. Monster VoIP provides the best business phones for small businesses, which ensures effective communication throughout the organization with the best business phones for small businesses. Business VoIPHosted PBXSIP TrunkingEnterprise VoIPCall Center SoftwareUnified CommunicationsWeb ConferencingTeam CollaborationResidential VoIP
Before you can use Skype Voicemail, you have to start your setup and record the Voicemail greeting that your callers will hear: Start Skype and choose Tools→Options→Calls→Voicemail from the main menu. The Voicemail window pops up. You can purchase Skype Voicemail separately, or you can get Voicemail for free with a Skype subscription.
In sales, immediate communication with your prospects and current customers is important. Being available to answer questions or further negotiate a deal allows your clients to feel secure and more apt to purchase from you. But what if you can’t answer the phone when they call? Make sure you have a voicemail system set up so your clients have the opportunity to leave you a message.