Comments on: How to Make Your Outgoing Voicemail Message Not Suck

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:44:10 +0000

There’s nothing wrong with short cordial outgoing messages. If you don’t like them, hang up and nobody has to put up with your peevishness.

Govenment buildings don’t allow cell phones so they are left in the car. It really is OK not to be at your beck and call.

Good blog post for an alternate opinion on phone use.

By: Mr. Shiny & New

Mr. Shiny & New — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:08:10 +0000

For business phones it makes sense to leave your number or extension if people get sent to your voicemail by a directory or another person and don't know how to reach you. Similarly telling people when you'll be back at work is helpful. For a home number this could be problematic.

However I've often had messages where people didn't hear the voicemail greeting properly and thought a human had answered the phone. That's why a standard “leave a message” prompt is good: it gives people a second to switch from “talk to a human” mode into “leave a message on the machine” mode.

By: SaffireBleu

SaffireBleu — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:39:42 +0000

I don't always leave the ringer on because sometimes I just don't want to be disturbed…for example, when I'm driving, or shopping, or having a meal. Why should cell phones mean we have to be at everyone else's beck and call? My phone is for my convenience, no one else's.

By: freestyles

freestyles — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:01:06 +0000

I really wonder, do these messages also suck? LOL, all I can do is laugh, it really kind of funny when I think of the same.

Emma

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:06:21 +0000

I agree with nearly everything written here regarding voice mail messages. I personally find email or SMS to be MUCH more effective way to communicate and am trying to find a way to get people to STOP leaving me voice mail messages all together. It is not acceptable to talk on your cell phone most public places. Email or text works much better, especially when someone (including me) is at the bar, wondering where I or someone else is. Either it is too loud to actually speak to someone or I'm not in a place or environment to have a conversation. (on a date, library, meeting, dentist office). If an email or SMS is sent, I can respond with the appropriate answer immediately rather than having to wait to pick up the phone or return a call until I get get somewhere where actually talking on your cell phone is acceptable. If you need to speak with me to coordinate something, say that in the email or text message. With blackberries and Iphones so prevalent today, most people have easier access to text driven dialogue.

By: michael

michael — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 09:26:22 +0000

I used to just give my name as a voice mail. What I found was that people need a few seconds to formulate their message before speaking. The "blah blah" message serves that purpose.

Imagine calling somebody and their phone is switched off. I have probably said my name before they have even registered that they are on voice mail. and you get some long waits, confused "er er"s and then a message.

So... given that people need a few seconds to build their message, what would make for more useful message than "“Hello, this is [name]. I’m not able to get to my phone right now, but please leave a message and I’ll call you back as soon as I can. Thanks! *BEEP*”."

any suggestions?

By: fu-Q

fu-Q — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:18:47 +0000

why in the Hell are you leaving your phone number on the voice mail?

Lets see i am person A calling Person B... Person B's voicemail with person B's name answers.. so i know i called the right number.. why do i need to hear the number i just freekin' called????

Stupid!

By: Ben Dune

Ben Dune — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:12:12 +0000

You are brain dead!!

By: Shane

Shane — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:32:25 +0000

Yes, let's tell people how long we will be gone so they have enough time to schedule a way to rob my place before I come back home. Idiot!

By: VINILA

VINILA — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 08:22:21 +0000

i love u