- Record your own voice message. With a network message I’m never sure if I’ve got the right number.
- Try to sound cheerful and welcoming unless you really want people to think you’re the Grinch
- Never leave me a message that just says “call me back”. That’s just like sending a letter saying “please write to me!” Use voice mail to progress the conversation
- Please tell me who you are. I get lots of messages and at my age, recognising everyone by voice alone is pretty tough.
- Leave your surname too. It may surprise you to hear that I know more than one person called Tom, Dick or Mary.
- Be careful of what you say. Voice mail is digital and just like emails and texts it can be printed, forwarded or published on the internet.
- Leave me your number even if I know you quite well. Unless you are likely to be in my top ten speed dial buddies I will have to look up your number.
- When you leave your number say it slowly so that I can write it down. Use the time it would have taken to say it twice, to say it once slowly and clearly.
- Say “my number is…” pause (That’s my cue to pick up my pen) Then the number.
- Don’t leave too long a message or my patience and your time will run out before you reach the end of your…………………