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The Importance of Changing your Voicemail Daily

By Randall Sandin

Real Estate Agent with Carolina One Real Estate

January 19, 2009 11:53 PM

This may seem a little simple but nothing is more irritating than leaving a voicemail for someone and not hearing back for a few days. Most studies show that communication is the one of the top things people think real estate agents are very poor at doing.

Here is what I do:

Each day I change my voicemail to reflect my activities for the day. If nothing is on my schedule - "I will be in and out of the office all day and will return you call asap"...which I do. For days with appointments -"I will be in appts from 9-10:30am and 1-3pm and will return you call as soon as possible". This way if someone calls with something urgent at 1:15, the person knows it will be 3 until I get back with them on the matter.

I also let my clients know that after 7pm I am on family time. I will check any voicemails and if it is urgent, will call you back immediately. Otherwise we can speak tomorrow. It is important to set boundaries with your clients.

Hope this inof is helpful to you,

Randall Sandin

Search Charleston, SC real estate at http://www.charlestonpierpartners.com

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Amanda Christiansen

Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN

Christiansen Group Realty

Hi Randall. I never thought of changing my voice mail daily, what a great idea. I can imagine how that would make more of a connection with my clients than my usual boring message. Thanks for the tip!

Jan 19, 2009 11:55 PM

Randall Sandin

Carolina One Real Estate - Charleston, SC

843-209-9667 - Search for Charleston SC Real Estate

Jared - I have had clients comment on my voicemail and that it is great they know when to expect a return call. Makes life a lot better and takes 2 minutes each morning.

Jan 20, 2009 12:00 AM

Heather Goodwin

Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission - Shreveport, LA

Results That Move You

I guess you would have to get into the habit of doing that, or make it part of your to-do list first thing every morning. I'm afraid I would forget!

Jan 20, 2009 12:09 AM

Elizabeth Bolton

RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA

Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Randall,

You make a great point. I chose my first agent for that exact reason - every day her message gave the date and a very *brief* bit about her whereabouts. I liked the energy of it very much. I did it myself for some time but since we changed to a much more complicated voicemail system I've fallen off track. Thanks for the reminder.

Liz

Jan 20, 2009 12:14 AM

Randall Sandin

Carolina One Real Estate - Charleston, SC

843-209-9667 - Search for Charleston SC Real Estate

Heather - I had to write a reminder to myself at first but is now just a morning habit and I do it on the ride to the office.

Liz - you are welcome for the reminder - my office phone just forward to my cell phone so I only have to set up one voicemail

Jan 20, 2009 12:15 AM

Dan and Amy Schuman

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services - Solon, OH

Luxury Home Specialists

Interesting point Randall. Changing your message every day is good ifyou have the discipline to do it. Even if you don't, having verbiage on your outgoing message to let a caller know you that customer service is important to you and you will make great efforts to return all calls as soon you become available ( and do it ! ) can be equally effective, in my opinion.

Jan 20, 2009 12:25 AM

Tony & Darcy Cannon

Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT

The C Team

Randall, interesting, I hadn't thought about a daily change, but it makes sense! Thanks for sharing this with ust.

Jan 20, 2009 12:27 AM

Gordon Sloan

Group1 Real Estate, selling houses in Salt Lake City Utah - Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake Homes For Sale, Salt Lake Real Estate

Randall, I'm going to change today.

But it will be a brief message as long messages really bother me. I hate to sit through a travel schedule while i'm waiting to leave a message for an appointment to show a house.

Jan 20, 2009 12:33 AM

Randall Sandin

Carolina One Real Estate - Charleston, SC

843-209-9667 - Search for Charleston SC Real Estate

Hey Corie - Yes, real brief, just times and nothing else...they do not care what I am doing, just when I will call back.

Jan 20, 2009 12:39 AM

Amanda Christiansen

Re/Max Home Connection - Fort Wayne, IN

Fort Wayne Real Estate Agent

Randall, good points. I really like your idea about letting clients know that after a specific time in the evening, it's family time. I'm working on setting my boundaries, because right now I feel like I have none. Thanks for the insight.

Jan 20, 2009 01:14 AM

Randall Sandin

Carolina One Real Estate - Charleston, SC

843-209-9667 - Search for Charleston SC Real Estate

Hey Amanda - I am working on the boudaries too - pretty tough to do in our business. Most people seem to respect it though

Jan 20, 2009 01:22 AM

Katie Van Nes

Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley, & Fraser Valley - Abbotsford, BC

Local Real Estate eXpert | eXp Realty

Hey, great post. A colleague of mine changes his voicemail daily, I love it! It is enthusiastic and informative. Maybe a more interesting question, is what holds some of us back from doing this...???

Jan 20, 2009 02:51 AM

Bill Gassett

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA

Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

I know people often have daily personalized messages. I know how valuable proper communication is so I am checking my VM every 1/2 to an hour and always call back immediatly.

Jan 20, 2009 11:50 AM

Chip Jefferson

Gibbs Realty and Auction Company - Columbia, SC

I dont do that. I do however set boundaries with my clients. Setting voice mail everyday is a good thing. I may try that.

Jan 20, 2009 11:57 PM

Not a real person

San Diego, CA

I used to do that, but I've found it is less hassle to simply create a generic message that lets them know that I will call back as soon as possible, but in all cases within four hours.

Jan 21, 2009 03:07 AM

Randall Sandin

Carolina One Real Estate - Charleston, SC

843-209-9667 - Search for Charleston SC Real Estate

Katie - thanks for the kind comment

Bil - communication is key in my opinion, lack of it is what realy irritates people

Laura -boundaries are key as well - I am with you 100% on that one

Russel - It is now a habit for me like putting on my shoes, takes me 1 minutes a day

Jan 22, 2009 08:23 PM

Michael Swanson

Keller Williams North Raleigh - Raleigh, NC

Broker

Randall, I think this is a great idea! I don't know why I didn't think about it! It's amazing that something so simple could be the difference between a happy client and a bad reference.

Jan 24, 2009 05:41 PM

Randall Sandin

Carolina One Real Estate - Charleston, SC

843-209-9667 - Search for Charleston SC Real Estate

Thanks for the comment Michael - I get comments all the time from people who appreciate know what it happening with my schedule and takes 1 minutes a day

Jan 24, 2009 09:43 PM

Stephanie Arnett

Mississippi Magnolia - Starkville, MS

Forbes | Inman | BossBabe | Newsweek | Tom Ferry

Great idea!!

Sep 02, 2009 09:19 AM

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