From Business by Design this month, a reminder that what you say – or don’t say – on your voicemail can affect your bottom line.

THIS MONTH:
+ Is there Magic in Your Message?
+ Voicemail Tips

Is there Magic in Your Message?
Consider how many times prospective clients get your “message” before they get you.

Do you play the Same Game when it comes to voicemail?

Do you have the same kind of “Sorry-I-missed-your-call, please-leave-a-message” greeting that your competitors do?

Estimates are that Americans spend 3.2 billion hours a year talking to and listening to voicemail. If you don’t use yours as a promotional tool, you miss out on a major marketing opportunity.

Use your voicemail to provide information about yourself and your design products and services, along with benefits that you offer your clients.

Callers need not listen to all of this, of course. Most telephone systems enable them to immediately leave their message by hitting the # sign on their phone.

But, apparently, many callers do listen to entire voicemail messages. Many of my coaching clients report that their sales increased substantially once they adopted the longer format.

Voicemail Tips
Some things to consider when you create your voice mail message:

+ Offer options, such as your cell phone number, for those who need to reach you now

+ Provide regular updates (“Today is Thursday. I have appointments all morning, but will return calls this afternoon.”)

+ Offer callback information, such as a promise to return the call within 12 hours

+ Include mailboxes with information about separate products and services

+ Pump up the power of your message by including that million dollar marketing word: “Only.”

+ Consider using a "narrator" to present your message ("Hi, you've reached the office of Dee Ziner, an award-winning, internationally-recognized design professional.")