What does your voice mail message say about your real estate BUSINESS?
To this San Jose Real Estate Agent it says volumes. For most businesses, the phone is the first point of contact. We only have one shot at making a first impression. This applies to all businesses, including small businesses like independent real estate agents, independent brokerages, print shops, and more!
Is your voice message greeting professional?
1. Does the message identify your name and/or the name of the business entity?
2. Is the message understandable in all aspects (tone, volume, background noise, etc.)?
3. Is the message too long with a bunch of meaningless blah blah blah?
4. Is the voice a warm and friendly voice or is it an automated robotic message indicating "no on is available to take your call" out of box kind of message?
5. Is there no message at all - no greeting has been set up and one cannot leave a message?
6. Will callers know they have the right number?
7. Will callers question if they have the wrong number - hang up and call again?
8. Is the voice mailbox full preventing callers from leaving a message?
How much business are you losing because your first impression lacks professionalism?
This San Jose Real Estate agent has high standards. I will not do business with anyone when my first point of contact, a phone call, with a business leaves me feeling the business lacks professionalism. The person or business might be the best in the land at what they do but I will never experience that if the first point of contact, a phone call leaves me wondering:
1. Who did I just call?
2. I did not understand a word that person said.
3. Gheez, alright, already ... blah blah blah ... seriously?
4. Did I call a business or did I call someone's home?
5. I wonder if I mis-dialed the number?
6. Do I have the right phone number?
7. I am so uncertain about the number I dialed I hang up and call again.
8. If they are too busy to check and delete messages I don't think they are someone I want to do business with.
These standards apply to all businesses not just real estate. For me, it is about the experience. How do I feel when I make that first call? Do I feel valued? It's about the quality of service which starts with the first impression ... when I make that first call. It will either win my business or lose my business.
Voice messages are just as important as how a call is answered. So many businesses have lost the opportunity to gain my business simply because they lack the professional standard I require.
What impressions are you leaving with your voice mail message and how your phone is answered?
What does your voice mail message say about your real estate business? - by Kathleen Daniels, San Jose Real Estate Agent - San Jose Homes for Sale