Recently I received a voice mail message from someone I know professionally. Our relationship isn’t particularly close, we just met through a business networking group. We’ve not actually done business together and we haven’t spoken or even seen each other in about a year.

Voice mail messages should include the reason for your callTwo issues related to his message prompted me to write this.

Here's what he said:

“Jacquelyn, this is [first name][company name]. Can you give me a call when you get a moment? You can reach me at [phone number].”

The company name is a set of initials and “associates,” and it doesn't indicate the type of business. I had to look him up in my contacts to refresh my memory as to who he was.

Then when I called him back, I got a busy signal.

A busy signal? Really?

Thinking it might be a temporary glitch in the phone system, I tried two more times. Still busy.

That busy signal is the first point of this blog. No matter how big or small your company is, no one should ever get a busy signal. When you’re on the phone, incoming calls should be routed to voice mail.

The content of the message is the second point. It made me remember an article I wrote years ago about how to leave messages that will get your calls returned. The information in “Leave Strong, Clear Voice Mail Messages” is as relevant today as ever, and a good reminder if you do business on the phone.

Back to my caller: I don’t know if he’s trying to sell me something or wants to retain my company or buy my books. But he’s going to have to call again for me to find out.

Jacquelyn Lynn
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