Home : Blogs : Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate ~ 760-840-1360 : Carlsbad Homes & Real Estate Tidbits >> Carlsbad RE/MAX Associates REALTOR Talks

Hate Voice Mail? Try VoiceCloud

My new Blackberry Inspiration for this post, and for trying VoiceCloud, came from local Carlsbad friend and blogger Roberta Murphy, and Pat Kitano. I owe them a big thank you! You will too.

I first read Roberta's post on VoiceCloud, which got me thinking, and then saw Pat's post as a subscriber to his blog. That was it - two recommendations from two trusted bloggers and I was hooked.

If you hate checking voice mail on your cell, or perhaps just prefer a better way to get messages, VoiceCloud is the answer.

Messages are send to your email as MP3 files AND transcribed into text and emailed as well...quickly. I have not dialed into my VM box on my cell for weeks now and LOVE IT.

WHY DO I LOVE VOICECLOUD?

I don't have to check my voice mail but simply look at the emails on my Blackberry for a complete written transcription of the message. Saves me a step.

I can LISTEN to the MP3 file if I wish on my laptop or right on my B-Berry. BTW the voice files come through first, then the text file.

I can PRINT OUT a copy of the text message for my records (can't do that with a voice mail can you?) and/or save the file on my on-line files for each client/transaction

I can dial the caller directly from the text message on my B-Berry, just like dialing from the voice mail. What's better is that if the caller leaves me another number to call instead of the one they called from, I have that to use right there in the text message rather than using redial from VM (which WON'T get to them at the number they wanted me to use). I click the number and I am connected.

If I want to forward the voice mail message in text form to someone I can...not so easy to do wtih voice mail.

They keep a directory on-line of all your messages - if you delete something you can simply go to the directory on your account and VOILA all the messages are there - how many messages can YOU store in YOUR voicemail box?

Now when I joined I got to Beta Test and VoiceCloud was free. TOO COOL. I just got an email that beta testing is over, at least for me (seems there is a trial) and now they have a couple of different programs for me to consider - I opted for the $19.95 per month with unlimited messaging. The $9.95/month version is 50 messages - heck that can happen in a couple of days if I am really swamped and unable to take my phone calls immediately.

Visit their site and try Cloud Today or Cloud as the Invite code. One or the other may still work.

Try it - I think you will like it.

UPDATE:

See the comment from Pat Kitano below. I got the same email from VoiceCloud and already signed up for their service. So it looks like BETA TESTING is over and it is now a fee paid service. Believe me, I think it is well worth the $20 per month, after using it for more than a month now.

Posted by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate ~ 760-840-1360 on 06/25/2008 10:15 AM

Comments (28)

ar, agents, technology

Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: Gadgets, Tools, & Extras
Post is included in group: RE/MAX Active Rain Bloggers
Post is included in group: Everything California

28 Comments on Hate Voice Mail? Try VoiceCloud

Dang, I love technology!!! Thank you Jeff, it sounds really cool and efficient. What's next?

06/25/2008 10:18 AM

by Akron Ohio Homes for Sale. David M. Childress (Howard Hanna Real Estate Services)

I have heard of through various other sources. Waiting until it is tried and true.

Bonner

06/25/2008 10:21 AM

by Bonner Thomason CRS, ABR, GRI, e-Pro (Keller Williams Realty)

Now, this is very innovative. What a great tool to have. I like the idea that you can print out the message as well. I'll have to check this one out.

06/25/2008 10:22 AM

by Joan Whitebook, ABR,e-Pro,CEBA Southern New Hampshire (Buyer's Option Realty Services)

I am going to look into this today. Thanks for the tip. I love to find new ways to do things with technology.

06/25/2008 10:26 AM

by DEBORAH STONE (Realty Executives)

This is a greate tool definately saves alot of time, I know sometimes I have gone 2 days without checking my voicemails because of the time

06/25/2008 10:31 AM

by ERA Regency Realtors

Jeff, very cool. I have never heard of this but am definitely going to put this on my list of things to get/do!

06/25/2008 12:12 PM

by Lake Norman Real Estate ~ Diane Aurit (RE/MAX at the Lake)

Hi Jeff, thanks for publicizing, and look forward to meeting you with Roberta next time down south... I just received an email from VoiceCloud saying there will charge for the service of transcribing VM. However, I still think it's a great service because I've never had to check my VM over the past two months while testing it in beta:

VoiceCloud Beta Users,

Please take notice that VoiceCloud's Beta test will be transitioning to our full-service subscription platform. This will occur at 11:59pm EST, on 6/30/2008. Please complete the order form to continue to have all of your messages transcribed.

https://www.voicecloud.com/order.html

VoiceCloud has always promised, in our news releases and interviews, to offer the lowest prices in the industry. We are ready to fulfill that commitment.

VoiceCloud is pleased to announce that we will be offering, not only the most accurate and fastest transcription services in the industry, but we will be offering: 50 messages for $9.95 and our UNLIMITED PLAN for $19.95 per month.

These price points have NEVER been offered before by any competitor in the industry. We are able to offer these prices because our services are not outsourced. You are dealing directly with VoiceCloud employees from the moment your credit card is processed for your subscription, to the time you receive your accurately transcribed messages, that are stored forever via the Amazon Storage Platform.

After the expiration of the Beta Period, you will still have the ability within your account to receive all of your voicemail messages and have complete access to all VoiceCloud features on our web-site and your mobile device. The subscription prices are exclusively to receive the transcription services.

We value your loyalty and look forward to having you continue utilizing VoiceCloud's premium subscription services. Our clients are our first priority and I am humbled by the amount of positive feedback we have received in regards to the service.

Thank you for participating in our Beta Test and we look forward to serving your transcription needs for years to come.

Best regards,

Gerald Marolda
VoiceCloud, CEO
www.voicecloud.com
Secure Order Form: https://www.voicecloud.com/order.html

06/25/2008 01:38 PM

by Patrick Kitano (Transparent Real Estate)

That is an awesome idea - I love the idea of keeping a record of the voice mail!

06/25/2008 01:44 PM

by Sharon Paxson (Prudential California Realty)

Jeff I do not have a Blackberry because for me it did not offer enough for me to justify the cost, but the third point that you made about being able to print out the message would be something that would be valuable for me. I might have to re-visit this again and re-consider.

06/25/2008 01:44 PM

by George Souto (McCue Mortgage Co.)

Sound's interensting, I am looking at the visual voicemail to solve many of those problems They have it on the new instinct phone from Sprint and of course the I phone.

06/25/2008 01:52 PM

by Spokane Real Estate - Ross Quintana (Team Quintana Real Estate - MJ McAdams Realty Lic#3015)

Thanks for sharing I have considered an option like this before. I will consider the voicecloud also.

06/25/2008 02:09 PM

by Richardson TX Realtor Mindy&Jay Robbins Richardson Texas Real Estate Specialist (Robbins Real Estate Group www.teamrobbins.com)

I use this service and I love it, I am bummed you have to pay for it now but it is still a pretty handy service to have

06/25/2008 03:55 PM

by Bridget Ayers (Metro North County Financial)

Jeff, I am definitely going to look at this as it could be a very handy tool for me as well.

06/25/2008 04:21 PM

by Steve Scheer - Denver Real Estate - Highlands Ranch Real Estate (RE/MAX Masters, Inc.)

Jeff, I've heard about it, but haven't gotten to that point yet. Thanks for the info, etc.

06/25/2008 05:06 PM

by Marc Grossman, GRI - Greater Orlando Real Estate Specialist (Keller Williams Heritage Realty)

Hi Jeff, This is a cool service. How do they come up with this stuff? I learned about it last week when I called Jeff Turner and left him a voice mail. He received it via email and responded via email. I guess I need to sign up and check it out.

06/25/2008 05:49 PM

by Bryant Tutas-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc

OMG!! It's official!!! YOU r my hero! "New School" techno stuff does not come to the "right" coast NEARLY as quickly as you guys on the "left" have it... but THIS will save me TIME and MONEY!!!

Hope you make a TON of money - you deserve every dime for all the nice things you do for the rest of us!

YIPPEE!! Off to figure this out!!! WOW!

06/25/2008 10:41 PM

by Eleanor Thorne, Cary Mortgage Loans (Meridian Residential)

I might already have this...I'm not sure but will have to see if it's worth it to me...I do like to check voicemail so there aren't any misunderstood info. Sometimes I can't even understand the caller...too fast.

06/26/2008 07:14 AM

by Neal Bloom-Realtor ® Assoc.-CRS-Weston FL (RE/MAX Premier Associates)

Roberta shared Voice Cloud with me as well. I really like it for many of the same reasons you mentioned. Lately I've had some real doozy clients and it's nice to have a written communication of their voice mails for the file!

06/26/2008 08:28 AM

by Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~303-589-2022 (The Berkshire Group Realtors)

All:

Thanks for the comments on this great technology. Adn for all the compliments. I am happy to share good stuff so the rest can benefit. And since I have already been a guinea pig...

No questions it is worth looking into. It took a few days to get used to NOT checking voice mail (old habits die hard), and now I don't even think about it. The messages come in pretty quickly - the MP3 file first - so you don't have to worry about timing. Of course if you don't get email on your phone this does not work as well, but in this day and age most seem to have that capability. I really love having the hard copies of the messages, even if there are a few tanscription errors. For some situations, as KK aludes too, this is a big part of the documentation. And now I don't have to wrtie down phone numbers and the message.

Jeff

06/26/2008 10:39 PM

by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate ~ 760-840-1360 (RE/MAX Associates)

Thank youffor this tip!!!!! technology and real estate goes- hand-in-hand.

Tracey

www.losangelesrealestatetalk.com

06/27/2008 01:34 PM

by Tracey-Los Angeles Real Estate Talk.Com

That's very cool. Thanks for the tip! I'll have to check that out!

06/27/2008 01:49 PM

by Jenniffer Lee (RE/MAX Complete Solutions)

Hi Jeff. Thanks for sharing the awesome tip! Keep them coming.

06/27/2008 03:14 PM

by Vincent Martinez Realtor Queens - Brooklyn - Long Island Homes (Prudential Douglas Elliman)

Jeff - with you, Roberta and Pat advocating this, how can one not try it? There's a free 7 day trial, and it appears that there's no contract period - just through the end of each month.

09/10/2008 06:53 PM

by Sharon Simms St Pete Florida CRS CIPS CLHMS (RE/MAX Metro)

Sounds great to me - I may try it if it is FREE for a while

09/11/2008 06:46 AM

by Norma J Elkins Realtor Elkins Home Selling Team ( Exit Triple "E" Realty)

Jeff ... Thanks for the note about VoiceCloud is the answer. We will check it out and see what happens. Harrison

09/11/2008 10:21 AM

by Harrison K. Long - Realtor & Broker (Explore Properties Group, Coldwell Banker Previews)

Thanks for the valuable information. I will definately have to check this out for the future. I just love the opportunity AR provides to hear about new stuff.

09/11/2008 06:28 PM

by Troy Erickson (Terra Solis Realty, LLC)

I just tried the test and it works pretty well. I'm going to actually use this to dictate memos after sales meetings to prospects as recaps. In this case, I am not forwarding the number but just calling the access number they give you by itself. You have to call from the mobile phone you set up. I assume you could setup a land line as well. Pretty nifty. My only question now is if there is a limit on the message length. My meeting recaps can get a bit windy.

09/15/2008 01:21 AM

by Rick Herman

bookmarked the site -- will check it out -- thanks

09/17/2008 12:44 AM

by Scott Hoen, ePro, MBA (eMarketing Services)