How to Have a Great Answering Machine Message

If you have an answering machine, then you may be wondering how to leave a great greeting that your callers will hear. You can make a funny or serious greeting, but there are things to consider when making a great answering machine message.

Instructions

1. Choose the tone of your message. You may choose to make it funny, sarcastic, snobby or completely serious. However, make sure that you won't offend anyone who calls.

2. Decide what you will say in your message. No matter what the tone, you may wish to include your name or phone number so your callers know they dialed the correct phone number. However, this depends on your personal comfort level. Apologize for not being available. Finally, as a courtesy, let your callers know that you will call them back as soon as possible.

3. Remind your caller to leave their call back number. Some people forget to leave their number while recording their message. If you don't have caller ID, you won't be able to return the call.

4. Listen to your message after you record it to make sure it sounds just right and includes the needed information. After listening to yourself, you may decide that your message doesn't come across as you hoped it would.

5. Don't make a long answering machine message. This is annoying, and may cause callers to hang up without leaving a message for you.