First, there were answering machines, then electronic voicemail. We’ve added video calling, doorbell cameras, and home security systems that permit remote access. No matter our technology, we all suffer from the biggest dilemma of what to put in our outgoing messages. When a customer service agent called a patient, she heard the most unique outgoing voicemail ever.
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Most customer service representatives have a script to follow when leaving messages on a patient’s voicemail, so they’re prepared for most outgoing messages. When Shamika heard the patient’s outgoing instructional message, she couldn’t stop laughing long enough to respond.
What surprised Shamika was a woman’s voice singing what appeared to be an original little ditty: “I am telling you that I can’t answer the phone right now, but I’ll call you later anyway.” The message was pleasant and uplifting. It didn’t demand the caller to leave a message. The patient’s voicemail recording just said she’d call them later.
Be Patient And Record An Amazing Outgoing Message
If you have trouble recording an outgoing message, we can offer a few tips to help you. First, you must determine whether you want to be formal, friendly, humorous, or short and curt. A generic message is: “Hi, you’ve reached [your name here]. Please leave your name, phone number, and a brief message, and we will return your call as soon as possible.”
Writing out your message and reading it aloud several times before recording is best. You should also keep several things in mind to keep your family safe. Don’t mention that you are not home. It is better to state that you are unable to answer. Most phones and answering machines have a caller ID feature.
Doorbell intercoms can be handy. One woman kept her neighbor up to date about her pregnancy by leaving messages on a doorbell camera. After being gone for days, a cat used a doorbell camera to tell her owner she was home. Or your Amazon delivery driver might leave you surprises.
Some people with doorbell intercom systems use a generic message such as, “We can’t answer the door right now, or we just don’t feel like it. Please state your business.” These systems can be used remotely to talk to a delivery person or solicitor in real time, offering the illusion that you are home but do not want to be face-to-face.
Listen to other people’s outgoing messages, like the voicemail from Shamika’s patient, and determine what you like about them. Model your message to fit your personality. You can find additional sample scripts online.
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