With a wide variety of choices available, users are able to choose every aspect of the process—i.e. the provider (a business or a voice professional individually), the service, as well as the tools involved.
Leaving a Professional Voicemail: The Basics. We can’t start without covering the basics. Many people equate a “professional voicemail” with being polite. And that’s certainly a start. But professionalism also means paying attention to detail. Imagine if you were to leave a voicemail …
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If you like to keep things simple, opt for a basic greeting. Most voicemail options allow you to record just your name, which lets callers know they’ve reached the right person.
Callers to your mailbox may hear one of two greetings: an external greeting for callers outside of MSU-Northern, or an internal greeting for MSU-Northern callers. If you record only an external greeting, then this greeting will be played to both internal and external callers.
Standard delivery is 3-4 business days with 1-2 day rush voice recording available.
In Australian English it’s pronounced with the vowel /a:/ like in ‘part’. Problems arise when people use the /ʌ/ vowel (like in ‘up’) instead of /æ/ or /a:/. If you do this is will sound like the worst swear word in English. Many non-native speakers often pronounce the vowel /æ/ more like /ʌ/ because they don’t have a vowel like /æ/ in their first language. Many speakers of European languages will do this (Spanish speakers and Italian speakers) and also speakers of Japanese and Korean. This problem with /æ/ also means that if you say the word ‘back’ in your voicemail greeting sample, you are likely to pronounce it more like ‘buck’. remember to pronounce word endings in English. Check you aren’t dropping any endings off or mispronouncing them.
9. “Hey, it’s [your name] at [your company] – thanks for giving me a call! I can’t wait to chat. Just leave your name, number and I’ll call you back as soon as I have the chance. Better yet, send me a text with the best time to reach you and the reason for your call. Looking forward to hearing from you.” Text communication is becoming much more relevant now. Direct your caller to text you in case they have a question you can answer easier via text. Who knows, they might prefer text messages to phone calls too.
Therapists don't need voice mail messages that demean their patients. I just called a psychotherapist colleague and listened to her voicemail greeting with the now-ubiquitous message, “If this is an emergency, hang up and call 911.” My professional voicemail will never include such a message.
7. Could you suggest some voicemail greetings, I’m all out. It would be better if you left it to me as a message after the beep.
If you use one, your automated phone system is the first point of contact a caller makes with your business. You want to make the best first impression. Instead of a complex series of robotic instructions, choose a friendly, warm voice offering simple phone prompts to guide the caller to the person or information they’re looking for.
Hi! This is (insert name and title.) My apologies, but I’m away from my phone until (insert date.) While I’m …
For more accessibility options, see Learn how to navigate Skype for Business using accessible features.
Hello. You have reached the [Insert department name here] department at UNI. The office is closed from Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020 through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021. For information on our services, please visit our website at [Insert web address here]. If you require assistance prior to Jan. 4, please leave a message. This voice mail will be checked daily on Dec. 28, 29, 30 and 31. Return calls will be made as soon as possible. Our office will re-open on Monday, Jan. 4. Budget Business Operations Confidential Reporting Environmental Health & Safety Facilities Management Financial Accounting & Reporting Human Resource Services Public Safety Senior Vice President's Office UNI Bookstore University Sustainability Cedar Falls, Iowa (319) 273-2311 Maps & Directions Visiting UNI Contact UNI Safety Diversity Matters Sustainability Accessibility Free Speech@UNI Consumer Information Equal Opportunity/Non-Discrimination Statement Privacy Policy Maintained by Human Resource Services Copyright ©2021
18. “Happy holidays! [I’m, the team at X company is] away until [date], however, we’ll make sure to call you back straight away when we return. If your request is urgent, email [emergency contact] at [email address]. Thanks, and have a wonderful [day, week].”
Sound upbeat in your message. When recording, be sure to say your message with a smile on your face. It’s obvious when people aren’t happy in their message. Since your work revolves around keeping happy customers, do your part by keeping a happy-sounding voicemail message.
“Hi! You have reached [your business]. All of our staff are currently busy helping other callers. We understand how valuable your time is, and rather than keeping you on hold, we will make sure to call you back.Be sure to leave us a detailed message with your name and number. We will return your call within two business hours. Thanks!”
For example, callers shouldn’t reach a business-as-usual voicemail, and therefore expect a return call within the business day, if the subject they’re calling is out on vacation for two weeks. Such a lack of communication is a recipe to lose that caller’s trust and tarnish the brand’s reputation. Related: Business VoIP Providers