Before even making that phone call and leaving a business voicemail, you need to take the time to think every message through. Take notes or have a sheet of paper containing all the information you need to say. Especially if you’ve recently changed your offers or if this is your first time to leave voicemail messages, thinking your message through ensures that you exude confidence and professionalism upon making the call.
When you’re recording an answering machine greeting for your home, or a voicemail greeting, some people like to keep it funny and light. They may record a message together, have one of their young children record, play silly music in the background or create some kind of a joke. While it’s fine to be funny, especially on a home recording, you should probably avoid being crude, particularly if you think children may be calling your home. Telemarketers may use any information given in an answering machine greeting.

KPIs like the number of voicemails left can be a great indicator of how well even the smallest of changes make a difference in the number of voicemails received. If you decide to speak louder, keep track of the potential increase or decrease to determine if your changes had any effect.
You might also consider giving them the option to skip your voicemail message completely by pressing another key (again, check with IT). You also want to make callers aware what you will return their call, instead of telling them that you will try to return their call--and let them know when you are likely to do it, if possible. If necessary, provide additional or emergency information in your voicemail greetings. My dentist, for example, lists his cell phone number for emergencies.