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5 things I love about your outgoing voicemail message

By
Real Estate Agent with Long & Foster Real Estate

I have heard lots of outgoing messages on voicemail and some of them make me think that the agent did not read or listen to the directions!  Have you called someone and the name announcement turns out to be the whole message? You have to listen to this long drawn out message that is supposed to just be "EVA WILSON" to let you know you are leaving a message in the right box? Or how about the one that has nothing for the name announcement.  Or the one who has the longest message known to man and doesn't tell you how to skip it? Since this is the first time most people will get to put a voice with your face, you may as well make it special.  Let me tell you the messages that I REALLY like...

1) The one that tells you the day that it is.  The agent says something like - "It is Monday, April 23, 2007.  I am sorry... blah, blah, blah." That makes me think they may actually check my message and call me back this month.

2) The one that starts with, "It's a great day at..." Even if it is raining and cold, I feel like it really could get better and well, it is a great day somewhere!

3) The one that tells you to press something at any time to bypass this message.  Those are really my favorites.

4) The ones that say I will call you back within the hour.  I don't like the ones that say I will call you by the next business day, because if it is Friday, I feel it is hopeless to get a call back in a reasonable amount of time.

5) The one that is just a beep. It lets me really get creative and longwinded.  I need that some days.  Your voicemail is my creative outlet.

So what do you love/hate about outgoing voicemail messages?

:)

Eva

Adam Tarr
MavRealty - Phoenix, AZ
PC -GRI, ABR, CDPE, RSPS, ePro - Designated Broker

I'm a REALLY big fan of #3.  :)  I wish my lender would offer that option - his takes FOREVER to get through!

SK

Apr 23, 2007 07:37 AM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

I hate messages that say they'll return calls between 10-11am and 4-5pm... I'm sorry, but if we're negotiating an offer on a property and I've called you at 11:30, I deserve a call WAY before 4-5pm!!

I also hate messages where the person didn't take the time to move to a quiet room and you hear so much chatter and noise in the background.  Really annoying.

Apr 23, 2007 08:09 AM
Eva Wilson
Long & Foster Real Estate - Camp Springs, MD
BS, GRI - DC Metro Area - Home Marketing Specialist: The DVD Lady

On my husbands name announcement, you can hear my youngest holler real quick in the background right after he says Wilson.  He refuses to change it and I have no clue why!

:)

Eva

Apr 23, 2007 08:16 AM
Ryan Hukill - Edmond
405home @ ERA Courtyard - Edmond, OK
Realtor, Team Lead
You've made some great points on this post Eva. I'm considering getting in the habit of changing my greeting each day to let callers know when I will be available and when they can expect a return call. What do you think? Good or bad approach?
Apr 23, 2007 04:19 PM
Eva Wilson
Long & Foster Real Estate - Camp Springs, MD
BS, GRI - DC Metro Area - Home Marketing Specialist: The DVD Lady
I have been toying with doing that myself.  I think it will make me really be diligent and have a daily routine.  It will also make me HAVE TO check my voicemail the same time every day.  If it will help you that way - it may be a good idea.  That is only if you are that disciplined.  I haven't adopted it yet, because I know I will forget one day and look like I am not on the ball - and we can't have that, can we!
Apr 23, 2007 04:22 PM
Ryan Hukill - Edmond
405home @ ERA Courtyard - Edmond, OK
Realtor, Team Lead
Eva, it's funny how much we think alike. That's been the only thing holding me back from doing it also, just the fear of letting someone down one time! I think if I change it up each and every day, based on what I have going that particular day, it will make me more accountable in returning phone calls and give the caller a better feeling of what they can expect from me. I may have to do it on a trial basis and see how it goes :)
Apr 23, 2007 05:06 PM
Eva Wilson
Long & Foster Real Estate - Camp Springs, MD
BS, GRI - DC Metro Area - Home Marketing Specialist: The DVD Lady

If you try it, let me know how it goes, and if I try it I'll let you know how it goes... deal?

Apr 23, 2007 05:16 PM
Ryan Hukill - Edmond
405home @ ERA Courtyard - Edmond, OK
Realtor, Team Lead
DEAL!
Apr 23, 2007 05:19 PM
Eva Wilson
Long & Foster Real Estate - Camp Springs, MD
BS, GRI - DC Metro Area - Home Marketing Specialist: The DVD Lady

Okay, I still haven't done it.

:)

Eva

May 13, 2007 02:29 PM
Margaret Ann Innis
Decorate To Sell - Merrimack Valley Real Estate Staging - Andover, MA
Real Estate Staging - MA & NH
They are all annoying!  (lol)  The worst are the ones with the wrong day quoted.  But what is worse are the messages people leave!  No one leaves phone numbers, or they say the number tooooo fast, or they ramble needlessly, or they do not leave their name - as in:  hi, it's me!  Who is me? (lol) 
May 13, 2007 03:00 PM