Setting Up Your Voicemail

[Bryant Tutas]

Don’t you hate it when you call a Real Estate professional on their cell phone and they don’t answer and they have no message. Just the standard “leave a message.” Personally I have a problem leaving information on a voice mail that doesn’t identify the person you are calling. The message on your voice mail should be very clear and precise. It should identify who you are and when you can expect a call back and give an alternative way to reach you be it your web address, E-mail, fax or even another phone number. You should record this message in a quite place and speak in a clear voice that can be understood. Once this is done. Call your voice mail and make sure the message is what you want your potential customers and fellow Realtors to hear. This could be the first point of contact for a customer so make sure your message sounds upbeat, professional and very precise. Always smile when recording. Your smile will actually “show” in the tone of your voice. Try it! It works.

Now this is the part that I find to be the most frustrating. Being on the receiving end and not being able to understand the message that has been left on your voice mail. I get them everyday. Talking so fast my phone is smoking while I’m trying to make out what is being said. Leaving a great message with no return phone number. Listening to the caller ordering McDonalds while trying to leave you a message at the same time. Taking a break in the middle of leaving a message to smack the kid (just kidding?). It frustrates me so much because I want to return the call and can’t. I hate it when that happens. I feel like I’m missing out on something. Could be a potential customer or a Realtor wanting to show one of my listings.

So speak slowly. Leave your name, phone number (the phone number should be at the beginning of your message and repeated at the end) and a brief message explaining the purpose of your call. Let me know the best time to call you back. Please leave a message after the beep.