A professional voicemail greeting is a recording that informs clients and business partners you are not available to receive their call. It is an essential part of any effective business communication strategy, especially if you are in sales.
This article covers the configuration steps for introducing voice mail support into a Skype for Business (SfB) Server 2015 environment by integrating with Exchange Server 2013 Unified Messaging (UM). Note that this series of Exchange integration articles leverages Exchange Server 2013 and will continue to do so for continuities’ sake. Microsoft has recently released to the public the
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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.
Website: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/make-and-receive-calls-using-skype-for-business-228e03aa-7361-4997-8dfa-1dd9bdc717f6
Website: https://ucsorted.com/2015/11/11/how-to-configure-office-365-unified-messaging-with-skype-for-business/
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.
Next to Message Storage, use the drop-down menu to select where you want to store your messages:
For instructions on setting-up and listening to voicemail on Skype for Business select the following options: Set-up Voice Mail Listen to Voice Mail in Skype for Business Listen to Voice Mail in Outlook SFB Voice Access Commands Using Your Skype for Business Phone Click the Keypad icon. Click the Voice Mail options icon. Select Set-up Voice Mail from the menu that appears.
33. Hello, you’ve reached [X company]. We’re currently closed to celebrate [X holiday], but we’ll be back on [X date]. Please leave your name, number, and a brief message so our team can get back to you when we return.
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
Organize tasks into projects to visualize your work as a board, list, or timeline. Calendars & Timelines Hyper Collaborative Powerful & Flexible Beautifully Designed
WHENEVER YOU WANT TO USE YOUR BUSINESS VOICE MAIL SERVICE 1. Dial your telephone number (see page 6). 2. Dial your passcode (4 to 7 digits). Main Menu Listen To listen to your messages, press . Send To send a message to another Business Answer Call or Voice Mail subscriber, press . Reminders To set a reminder, press . Access another Mailbox or
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.
6. “Thanks for calling [company name]. You must be calling as you’ve heard about our new [new product, deal, offer here]. We are pretty excited about it, too. Leave us your name, number and the best time to call and we’ll follow up and answer any inquiries you may have. We’re looking forward to speaking with you and updating you on what’s new with [company name]. Have a great day!” Briefly let your callers know about any promotions, updates, or launches you’re having. You might even unknowingly answer their question!Professional voicemail greetings for your business cell phone number
As in the situation above, a full mailbox can be really frustrating for an employer who is trying to get in touch with you. Set aside time at least once a week to make sure you clean out your voicemail. You want to be as accessible as possible for potential employers. I’ve called a few job seekers lately to help with their search and have gotten this message, “We’re sorry. The person you are trying to reach has not yet set up their voicemail system. Please try again later.” This makes you look a little lazy and can frustrate the hiring managers. As soon as you get a new phone, make sure you make it a priority to get your voicemail up and running. Definitely make sure you have it set up before you start sending out job applications. I understand this could slip your mind, but it’s important that you do everything you can to show the hiring manager that you are reliable and reachable.
27. Hi, It’s [your name] of [your company]. I’m in a meeting at the moment. Please leave your message and contact information, and I will get back to you within [realistic timeframe]. Thank you for calling.
Open your phone’s voicemail app, then tap (or in some cases, tap and hold) the message you want to save. You should be presented with a list of options; the save option will usually be listed as “save”, “save to phone,” “archive,” or something similar.