Make Voice Mail Work for You

John Jantsch of Duct Tape Marketing had an interesting post on boring voice mail ("Is Your Voicemail Message Painfully Boring?).  You know the kind ... "Hi, this is so-and-so, and I'm out of the office or away from my desk.  Please leave your name and a brief message ...." 

He's right.  That is dreadfully boring and all too common.  John's advice was to spice up your voice mail by making it a marketing tool ... "Hi, this is so-and-so, and I'm out of the office demonstrating to a new customer the powerful benefits of xyz product..."

Michelle Golden of Golden Marketing added a professional service firm marketing spin on it and suggested:

A cost saving alternative might be using your own voice, not to say "I'm busy with a client right now" but something just as short yet with more punch like:

• "I'm determining the value of a company right now..."
• "I'm helping a couple secure their family's financial future..."
• "I'm working on a winning case strategy..."

or this approach:

• "I'm eager to help your business grow so won't you leave a message?..."
• "I'm looking forward to securing your family's financial future..."

While, in the abstract, these are fine ideas.  In the real-world of professional service firms that I live in, there are two problems:

1. Yes, these are dreadfully boring messages and they are boring because nobody wants to offend any caller or be perceived as the moron of the company who has the goofy voice mail message so no one wants to change them; and
2. I know the professionals in my firm would sooner eat dirt than say "I'm out valuing a customer's business right now."  They are greatly skeptical of the word "sell" and, like many in the professional services arena, believe that anything having to do with selling equates them with those folks who peddle used cars. 

What to do?

Use your voice mail to provide meaningful information - like how they can contact you other than to leave a message on the box.

Give people your cell phone number, your e-mail address, even your home number if you work from home a great deal and don't mind mixing business with pleasure.  You're doing the people calling you a service.  You're helping them help you.  You're communicating that you care to speak with them because you're accessible. 

What to do next?

Now that you've given them every way possible to contact you, return that call or e-mail promptly.  In the end, that's all they will remember.