For what it's worth, my template is below, based on the above cast. I have a Google Doc, which I edit slightly and update based on the week's events. I sometimes update mid-week if things have changed or like when I went dark for a Th-Sun vacation. Note that press 1 to leave a message is the shortcut for voicemail on an iPhone on AT&T. On some other systems, it's #. My assistant's phone is always covered from 7:30 AM until 4:30 PM
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Hi, you’ve reached <my name>'s voicemail. Press 1 to skip this greeting and leave a message. For the week of October 3rd, I am in the office all week, but I can’t take your phone call right now. If you have an urgent need during Eastern time zone business hours, you can contact my assistant, <assistant's name>, at <assistant's phone #>. Otherwise, please leave your name, phone number, and your message, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
Thanks for calling.
Submitted by Peter Westley on Saturday October 8th, 2011 12:53 am
Refbruce - thanks for finding the cast reference - saved me having to dig for it.
Stephen - Refbruce notes that he has it written in a Google doc - that's not because he's super high 'C' (although he might be ;-), it's because then there's something to actually read when you're recording the message... I find it makes for fewer attempts at getting it right, flowing and sounding professional.
-- Peter
Melbourne Australia
Submitted by Steve Parkins on Saturday October 8th, 2011 8:14 pm
Refbruce and Peter
Thank you for helping me with my voicemail question
Your answers created a real "lightbulb" moment for me. I think the advice given will really help
Once again thanks
See the voicemail cast
This is well covered in http://manager-tools.com/2010/08/update-your-voicemail.
For what it's worth, my template is below, based on the above cast. I have a Google Doc, which I edit slightly and update based on the week's events. I sometimes update mid-week if things have changed or like when I went dark for a Th-Sun vacation. Note that press 1 to leave a message is the shortcut for voicemail on an iPhone on AT&T. On some other systems, it's #. My assistant's phone is always covered from 7:30 AM until 4:30 PM
---
Hi, you’ve reached <my name>'s voicemail. Press 1 to skip this greeting and leave a message. For the week of October 3rd, I am in the office all week, but I can’t take your phone call right now. If you have an urgent need during Eastern time zone business hours, you can contact my assistant, <assistant's name>, at <assistant's phone #>. Otherwise, please leave your name, phone number, and your message, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
Thanks for calling.
And another thing ...
Refbruce - thanks for finding the cast reference - saved me having to dig for it.
Stephen - Refbruce notes that he has it written in a Google doc - that's not because he's super high 'C' (although he might be ;-), it's because then there's something to actually read when you're recording the message... I find it makes for fewer attempts at getting it right, flowing and sounding professional.
-- Peter
Melbourne Australia
Thank you
Refbruce and Peter
Thank you for helping me with my voicemail question
Your answers created a real "lightbulb" moment for me. I think the advice given will really help
Once again thanks
Stephen