I agree; I don't much like voicemail for the exact reason that most people don't adhere to these rules! After listening to so many bad voicemails, I've naturally begun to adopt a few of these, such as I always say my number twice and write down what I want to say beforehand....that's my number one. It helps a lot and I don't freeze up like you said.
One thing I'd add, say the number SLOWLY..........MUCH slower than you might think. In fact, try leaving yourself a voicemail with a random phone number (so you won't already know it) and try listening to it and writing it down. You'll probably surprisingly find that you give the number much faster than you should. You're USED to the number because it's your own, the other person ISN'T. Say it S L O W.
Oogie Pringle
· 1 year ago
I like to state my number at the beginning as well as the end so the other person doesn't have to rewind to hear the number. This allows them to to two things:
1) If they were ready when they listened to the voice mail, they can confirm the number they write down the first time I said it.
2) If they decide that they do need to call me back, it gives them another chance to hear it without rewinding.
AK
· 1 year ago
Another thing: if you don't want to sit through those prolonged introductions that the phone companies tack onto the beginning, just hit '7' or '#' and it should take you straight to the beep so you can get started.
Dave
· 1 year ago
Slow, clear and concise is a good way to sum it up. All good advice!
cory huff
· 1 year ago
I do phone sales for a living. This is good advice for my whole office. Thanks!
Fred
· 1 year ago
Also, leave your first and LAST name. I hate it when I get a voicemail that says, "Hey, this is Dave" or "John," as if the caller thinks he is the only "Dave" or "John" in the world.
Chad
· 1 year ago
Emails should be given sparingly. It can be tough to communicate one's email address over the phone, even more difficult when their is no feedback as to whether or not they got it (correctly).
I've got an important phone call to make, thank you for the help.
Corey
· 1 year ago
Clear and concise- this is a lost art in our society. And not just with voicemail. In normal everyday interaction many people struggle to get their point across succinctly. Maybe the clear and concise voicemail message can be a training ground for regular conversation.
Brett McKay
· 1 year ago
Great comments everyone.
@Oogie-Good tip, sometimes I do it that way too. I think both are effective. I prefer leaving it at the beginning and end, only because not everyone's phone has a rewind option.
@Fred-That reminds of another phone tip....when someone does pick up your call, unless you are well acquainted, don't call them by their first name. Someone called me from my credit card company for a legitimate reason mind you, but when I picked up, they said, "Is Brett there?" Sorry credit card man, but it's Mr. McKay to you. I'm turned off by pseudo chumminess.
Santa
· 1 year ago
When doing a follow-up for job interviews these are great skills to have. Although I don't normally repeat my number twice as most people have caller ID now days and it seems redundant.
Bob Ragsdale
· 1 year ago
Smile. When you are leaving your message, smile while you speak. It warms up the tone of your voice and makes it easier to listen to.
Phil Craig
· 1 year ago
@Santa:
You should always leave your number. Whenever I call people who have Caller ID, they get some kind of switchboard number rather than my number. It's probably a quirk to do with my office's system, but still, why take a risk? Especially when following up a job interview!
Skeeter
· 1 year ago
Please don't leave the following message on someone's voicemail: "Hey it's [name], call me back." I probably didn't take your call because I am busy right now and asking me to call you back without providing any context doesn't help me decide when I should take the time to call you or how much time I will need to take. Do you just want to check in with me, did your Mom just die, are you trying to find out how long to cook a turkey...just how long is this conversation going to be an how important/urgent is it. You should always say, "I need to talk to you about [subject], please call me back."
Tomas
· 1 year ago
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Arrica Lee
· 1 year ago
A wonderful and slurpicious post.
1866Umidget
· 1 year ago
time is so precious to us here at http://shortdwarf.com! we can't tell you how many times while we are on the phone, we will notice the caller ID on the other line call and not leave a voicemail and continue to call back repeatedly until they get someone to answer directly. frustrating! ugh! isn't that why voice mail was invented?
"we've noticed you've called a couple times and haven't left messages. thank you for trying to reach us and stay in contact. since time is precious for both of us, please leave a detailed message if we are not able to pick up your call. this will ensure more efficient use of time for both of us. thank you!"
Chris
· 1 year ago
I'd never thought of it till I read your post but most of the messages I leave are work related. I work in a communications and control center for a military police unit so when something out of the ordinary happens I have to notify leadership. If it's the middle of the night some of them listen to the message before diciding if they'll answer the phone.
A long time ago I got tired of waiting for them to call back for the notifications and started giving a summarized brief in the message. I have to think about what type of questions each person tends to ask and answer those in the message. If I don't get a call back with a question I know I got it right.
That or they've already gone back to sleep.
Chris
GMurder
· 1 year ago
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Brad
· 1 year ago
Jesus F-ing Christ, you hit the nail on the head with voicemails. I freakin hate them with all the passion that runs deep in my bones.
With friends, don't leave a message that says, "Hey, call me back". WTF!!!!! I saw you on caller id and if you leave a message it should be only for serious matters only. We live in the world of text messages too for quick responses for things.
And I agree with leaving the email with number. I started doing that and have gotten a lot of response, work related, from doing that.
Great post folks!
Aaron
· 1 year ago
Another reason to state your phone number is sometimes the audio quality of the message is not good either because of lousy equipment or lousy speaking. Innumerable times someone have left me a message stating their number only once and one or two digits is unintelligible, making it impossible to return the call. Saying your phone number twice ensures all the digits will be understood.
David
· 1 year ago
how to set up my busibess voice mail.(this is a new business that I am just setting up. it has to deal with buying mortgage notes
Barry
· 1 year ago
I heartily agree with never leaving the message "call me back." That is stupid. State the purpose of the call so I can call you back with my thoughts already engaged. Tell me your opinion on the matter so I can respond to you even if I just get YOUR voicemail. Some matters can be resolved even if we never get the chance to speak live. That's efficiency. I have actually left mesages for people to this effect. On the 4th message of a "call me back" chain, I will ask the person to leave their question on my voicemail if we don't connect on their next call, explaining that I may then be able to provide them an answer even if we never connect. My outgoing message specifically requests that callers leave a "detailed message."
I also hate the messages where people state their name and number in a rushed mumble. Slow down for this critical information. Speak the digits at the same speed that they will be written. I have had people call back and specifically thank me for that.
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· 1 year ago
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All Comments
One thing I'd add, say the number SLOWLY..........MUCH slower than you might think. In fact, try leaving yourself a voicemail with a random phone number (so you won't already know it) and try listening to it and writing it down. You'll probably surprisingly find that you give the number much faster than you should. You're USED to the number because it's your own, the other person ISN'T. Say it S L O W.
1) If they were ready when they listened to the voice mail, they can confirm the number they write down the first time I said it.
2) If they decide that they do need to call me back, it gives them another chance to hear it without rewinding.
I've got an important phone call to make, thank you for the help.
@Oogie-Good tip, sometimes I do it that way too. I think both are effective. I prefer leaving it at the beginning and end, only because not everyone's phone has a rewind option.
@Fred-That reminds of another phone tip....when someone does pick up your call, unless you are well acquainted, don't call them by their first name. Someone called me from my credit card company for a legitimate reason mind you, but when I picked up, they said, "Is Brett there?" Sorry credit card man, but it's Mr. McKay to you. I'm turned off by pseudo chumminess.
You should always leave your number. Whenever I call people who have Caller ID, they get some kind of switchboard number rather than my number. It's probably a quirk to do with my office's system, but still, why take a risk? Especially when following up a job interview!
I am going to overview my blog in the light of your advices. There is no doubt for my http://candleday.wordpress.com will look better. in the result.
Editing the way we are talking makes our messages sound and sunny. The briefness of the words gives the weight to our talk.
"we've noticed you've called a couple times and haven't left messages. thank you for trying to reach us and stay in contact. since time is precious for both of us, please leave a detailed message if we are not able to pick up your call. this will ensure more efficient use of time for both of us. thank you!"
A long time ago I got tired of waiting for them to call back for the notifications and started giving a summarized brief in the message. I have to think about what type of questions each person tends to ask and answer those in the message. If I don't get a call back with a question I know I got it right.
That or they've already gone back to sleep.
Chris
With friends, don't leave a message that says, "Hey, call me back". WTF!!!!! I saw you on caller id and if you leave a message it should be only for serious matters only. We live in the world of text messages too for quick responses for things.
And I agree with leaving the email with number. I started doing that and have gotten a lot of response, work related, from doing that.
Great post folks!
I also hate the messages where people state their name and number in a rushed mumble. Slow down for this critical information. Speak the digits at the same speed that they will be written. I have had people call back and specifically thank me for that.
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