Voice Mail Expectations

Meeting Expectations

What is considered a reasonable call-back time when returning a voicemail? 5 hours? By the end of the day? The following day? You can ask 10 different people and get 10 different answers. 

This, of course, creates the problem if you don’t know if you are calling back in a reasonable time in the expectations of the client or prospect.

Change your outgoing message

One way to correct this is to tell the person leaving the message when you will return their call. Here is an example:

“This is Mike with Mike’s Insurance. I am sorry I have missed your call. Please leave your name, number and a brief message and I will return your call within 24 business hours.”

Now the person leaving the message knows their call will be returned within a day. No more guessing when or if they will ever get a callback.

You can also add the option of directing them to your website where they can send you a message as well if that is easier for them by adding something like this at the end of the voicemail message:

“If it is easier, you can visit www.mywebsite.com and contact me through a message there.”

Now go check your outgoing message and make sure you are leaving your callers with the right expectations!