Who's answering your phone?

[w]

Greetings!

Here's a jumping off point for a discussion - Over the past weeks I have had the opportunity to call several of my fellow entertainers. Some weren't at home so I got the chance to listen to their answering machines. Here's what I heard.

A couple of machines had the generic' "Hello, you've reached XXX-XXXX, nobody is home right now...", complete with the computer voice. Several thanked me for "calling ABC Entertainment, please leave a message..." Most of time I had to listen to a 60 second advertisement for their services (seemed like 60 seconds). Which brings me to my question...

When you answer the call yourself, do you launch into a commercial, or do you simply introduce yourself and ask how you can help? Your outgoing message should be no different. This is one area where you can show the caller that you are a business and that you are a professional. Call up IBM and see if you get a commercial (and the holding messages/muzak don't count).

Here is my message (443-286-9997): "Thank you for Calling Magic with Wes & Advanced Balloons. Today is Thursday, Sept. 15. I have several performances today, but I am available to return your call. Please leave a message with day & evening phone numbers and I will contact you shortly to discuss your event."

Yes, I change the message everyday and include the date. Why? This gives the caller a warm fuzzy and reinforces the idea that I do check my voice mail, often. I also promise to call them, soon. They leave a message reassured that it will not be long before they get the information they desire.

What are your thoughts?

-Wes Holly-
Want to retire earlier, rather than later?
visit: www.deliveringonthepromise.com/wesholly

[Scot Free]

hi, i can't reply to this post right now, i'm drunk.

[Mr.Taxi Trix]

Hi, this is Karl. Thanks for calling, please leave a message, but not one about how I need to re-work or eliminate a certain bit, even if it is for my own good. Or anything about that thing where I told the kid to shut up. He had it coming.

[Doctor Eric]

Hi, you've reached Eric Cash, I'm either on stage, on the other line, asleep, convincing a small African village to worship me as a minor diety, or I just don't want to talk to you. Please leave me a detailed message with enough information to judge your worth as a friend, lover, employer or social contact, and I may very well call you back.
Have a nice day!

[pablo]

"Hi, this is Jim Rockford. At the tone, leave your name and number, and I'll get back to you."

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[scot]

Hello, my voicemail is not available to take your call right now, please begin your conversation when you hear the pause.

[gav]

Don't you guys have personal assitants to answer the phone for you?
Voicemail is a thing of the past as far as I'm concerned.

[Frisbee]

I used to have (when I was in college)

Hello this is Greg's refrigerator, the answering machine is broken so leave a message with me and I will be sure to stick it to me.

now I have the standard:
I'm not able to take your call, leave a message and I will get back to you or for more info on my show check out the website www.FrisbeeShow.com

[martin ewen]

Hello and welcome to dial a pigmy, here at dial a pigmy we have pigmies of all shapes and sizes.
[sotto voice] mainly small though.
We have new age pigmies, old-school pigmies, pigmies both obese and bulemic. We have giant bargan pale pigmies indistinguishable from the general population. We have pop pigmies, punk pigmies and neo-romantic goth psycho-billy thrash pigmies.
We choose only the finest pigmies from the darkest, most exclusively remote mountain villages.
This weeks special is martin ewen who is a clown specialising in bad business models, he is not a pigmy but sometimes writes about them.
Please leave a message after the tone...
and keep it short.