Your outgoing voice mail message tells a lot about you. In fact, it may be the first impression that you make with a new client. Here’s how to appear successful.
1) Present a Positive Image
Your outgoing voice mail message should be simple, positive, and professional. State your name and company followed by concise directions. You may want to leave a daily message because it shows that you check your messages and tells callers what to expect. For example, “Welcome to Steve Kaye’s voice mail at One Great Meeting. Today is Monday and I’m helping a client hold an effective meeting. Please leave a message and I’ll call you tomorrow.” This message lasts nine seconds.
Make sure that your outgoing message is unencumbered by music (turn off the radio), rustling papers (sit still), and background noise (close the door). These sounds make it make it difficult for callers to understand your outgoing voice mail message. Similarly, avoid gimmicks such as singing, reading poetry, or citing long lists of credentials. These appear unprofessional.
2) Practice Professional Courtesy
Some people use voice mail to screen calls....