What's your voicemail greeting?

[Techs on Deck]

I'm making every effort I can to not let potential clients' calls go to voicemail, but it's often impossible for me to answer the phone before 4pm. I hate losing sales. What voicemail greeting do you use for your business, and do you find it effective in converting missed calls into sales?

[ATTech]

I doubt the content of the message, assuming it's a message that you would expect a business to have, is going to make a great deal of difference.

In my experience, people will either not pay attention to the message and leave one, or hang up as soon as the voicemail starts playing and call someone else.

If you're that concerned, I'd look for a good answering service.

[NYJimbo]

No matter what message I use I found that people prefer to hang up and either go somewhere or they keep calling every X amount of minutes.

When I am not around or closed I can come back in and see the missed calls and its amazing how many times some people will call and NOT leave a message, no matter how inviting the welcome/greeting is.

For instance, last week a lady called 8 times over a 4 hour period but didnt leave a message. I got her live on Saturday and it turned out to be a no-money-call (too expensive to fix), but she should have left a message days before and I would have called her back.

I dont think its the message, its the fact you dont answer, they just keep trying or move on.

[callthatgirl]

I'm big on hanging up if there is no answer. I like getting someone live when I have questions.

I get those too...no messages but a few missed calls. Doesn't matter about the message, it's a live person they want.

[Bullfighter]

Have you looked into hiring a VA (Virtual Assistant)?

At least this way you will have a live person answering your calls and if you can afford it maybe find one with a little bit of tech knowledge so that they can sound like they know what they are talking about if asked a simple question.

Check out elance.com prices start at $5 and up per hour. Just make sure if you get someone out of country you interview them first to make sure they speak clear/good English. If you need help with this process PM me and I'll help you out.

For the time it takes them to take down their contact information it'd be worth it if you are losing out on jobs.

EP

[NYJimbo]

Originally Posted by Bullfighter

Just make sure if you get someone out of country you interview them first to make sure they speak clear/good English.

Are you saying that with this service the caller gets the SAME person each time?.