Everything from business school studies to shampoo commercials has relentlessly pounded the value of a first impression into our collective heads. Nobel Laureate Daniel Kahneman related how Americans elected Warren Harding as President on the strength of his square jaw and height, proving the value of a first impression.
Our in-person sales reps, receptionists, and call center staff provide first impressions, but what about our auto attendant systems? How do we get the most out of the auto attendant's first impressions?
What Makes a Good First Impression?
What goes into a first impression can vary, but some common elements emerge.
Focus on the positive. Be honest, of course. Honesty is a big part of a good first impression, but be sure to deliver the most positive honesty. Focus on what the business can do for the caller.
Provide value immediately. As previously noted, honesty is important. It provides value to the caller; many callers won't know who they want to talk to right away, and getting callers to that person quickly is vital.
Have the rest of the business measure up. A first impression only means so much if it's not capitalized on. A good first impression won't save a business from a messy storefront, rude customer service staff, and so on.
How Do I Make My Auto Attendant Deliver a Good First Impression?
Here are some simple ways to make an auto attendant deliver that perfect first impression.
Keep it succinct. The most important aspect of creating an effective auto attendant is to keep it professional and friendly. With certain businesses, music might be appropriate to include in the background of the recorded voice, however, you will want to focus more on keeping the message clear and short.
Ready a night shift. Separate your call response out based on night and day responses. The two should be similar with some differences, including key points like hours of operation, and the option to leave a voice mail message when the business is closed.
Add a ripcord. Sometimes customers just want out of the auto attendant system. They can leave in two ways: by connecting to a person in your business or by hanging up altogether. If you want callers to stay on the line, provide that accessible connection to a human, and tell the caller how to use it.
How Do I Get Started With Auto Attendants?
You've seen the value a good first impression can deliver. Now, to get the most out of that first impression, drop us a line at Snap Recordings. We've got over 100 different voice actors ready to record your greeting in just the voice for your business' first impression. With several different languages available, we can make it sound like you're right in your customer's backyard, even when you're on the other side of the planet. All you need to do to get started is to contact us today.
