While everyone has a mobile phone these days, one common concern is that most people don’t have proper phone etiquette. There are a number of elements to phone etiquette. For example, it can comprise of how you introduce yourself, how you conduct a call, and especially the way you leave a voice mail. Out of these different areas where certain mannerisms are required, the most important is the voicemail. Voicemails are significant because without the proper etiquette, it is unlikely that you’ll get your message across and hear a call back from the person you’ve contacted.
Be as Clear as Possible
When leaving a voicemail, most people fail to realize that different phones relay voicemails at different levels of quality. As a result, one of the most important forms of etiquette is to be as clear as possible when making the call. Essentially, this means speaking clearly, making sure that there is no background noise behind you, and enunciating your words so that the listener understands exactly what you’re saying. By being clear, you’re more likely to get the call back that you’re waiting for, from a person who understands the message that you’ve left.
Don’t Forget to Be Polite and Professional
Another form of voicemail etiquette that most people forget about is to be polite and professional. When leaving a voicemail, being polite and professional means using proper language, avoiding slang, introduce yourself correctly, and speak kindly. By being polite and professional, the listener on the other side of the phone will feel much more comfortable when listening to your voicemail, meaning that you’ll be able to illicit a more positive response in return. In addition, if you’re working for a company and are calling of a business related manner, then don’t forget to mention where you are calling from and why.
Leave Your Contact Information
Unfortunately, when people leave a voicemail, it isn’t uncommon for them to leave a message and forget to also repeat their contact information to the listener. By failing to leave your contact information, the listener will have no way of contacting you back. This can be a substantial loss, especially if you’ve been able to attract the other person’s interest. Therefore, when leaving your contact information, include your name, your phone number, and where you are calling from.
Call From a Quiet Place
Lastly, when making a phone call and leaving a voicemail, another point to remember is to always call from a quiet place. By calling from a space where there is background noise behind you, you’ll make it especially difficult for the person on the other side of the line to hear your message and understand what you are saving. Some of the best places to call from are a quiet office or an empty room. Also, try to avoid calling from a space where other people are chatting behind you because it can easily disrupt the flow of your call, thus making it more difficult to understand.
