Let’s face it, impressions matter. Whatever your industry, prospective customers are constantly sizing you up to get to the core of what you’re really about. And this isn’t exclusive to business interactions. People are constantly making assumptions about one another based on their other characteristics and behaviors. Psychologists call this Implicit Personality Theory, and simply put it means that we assume that people exhibit other traits that are commonly linked to the key characteristics we perceive. For example, if your server at a restaurant rushes you through your order without making an idle chit-chat, you might assume he’s unfriendly or doesn’t particularly enjoy his job. On the other hand, if someone displays a happy disposition you are more likely to assume that they are friendly and warm.
So what does all of this have to do with your voicemail greeting?
With social media, blogs, email marketing, and yes…voicemail greetings, businesses have lots of opportunities to make an impression. But it’s important to make the right impression. Callers will make inferences on what you say and how you say it, and you don't always get another chance to make a positive impact. You want prospective customers to leave a message. You want them to get a great first impression of your business. So, you need professional voicemail greetings. Here’s how you get them…
WRITE IT DOWN:
If you are ready to record your voicemail greeting, you should already have a solid script. Whether you include your mission statement, some fun personal details, or a favorite quote, making your voicemail greeting personal is a great way to set your business apart. Write down what you're going to say, but try to avoid reading it verbatim as you record, or it may start sounding robotic and rehearsed. When listening to your voicemail greetings your callers shouldn't feel like they're listening to an impersonal recording. Keep it conversational. If you need help achieving that conversational tone, check out these tips.
KEEP PHONE GREETINGS SHORT:
If someone is listening to your voicemail greeting it's only because they intend to leave you a message. Don't make them listen to 3 minutes of rambling in order to do so. Plus, you're more likely to deliver a clean, professional read if you stick to shorter greetings. If more specific information is needed, direct callers to where they can find it on your website.
Is My Phone System Messaging Too Long?
SMILE, SMILE, SMILE:
You know that your callers are making inferences about your business and brand. If you want your voicemail recording to leave a positive impression, smile when you record it! Research shows that smiling affects how we speak, and listeners are not only able to identify that people are smiling, but also what the intent is of the smile based on voice intonation alone.
LIMIT AMBIENT NOISE:
Don' let background noise do the talking for you. Ambient noise on your recording could be sending the wrong message to your clients. The sound of your kids arguing in the distance could be the sign of a distracting work environment. Clinking glasses and restaurant chatter may leave the impression that you don't take your work seriously. When you record your voicemail greeting choose a quiet spot free from interruption, so your message is the only thing callers hear. It's also good to avoid large, cavernous spaces where sound verberates.
RECORD LIKE A PRO:
Rehearse your greeting a few times before you press record. Plan your pauses and select natural places to take a breath. If you are recording directly into your phone don't hold it to your ear like you are talking on the phone. This can produce a muffled tone. Hold the phone out in front of you a few inches from your mouth for the clearest recording. This may require some trial and error. So playback your greeting and make necessary adjustments on your re-record.
UPDATE OFTEN:
Congratulations! You've recorded a professional voicemail greeting that your callers love. If you want them to keep loving it, you'll need to update regularly. Adding seasonal information and varying your message keeps your greetings fresh, which is especially important for businesses whose clients and customers call in on a regular basis.
Well there you have it...all the steps you need to create a professional voicemail greeting. But if you don't want to do it yourself, you can leave the work to the professionals at Snap Recordings! Best of all, you can get a professionally recorded voicemail greeting starting at just $50! Get started now!
