Top 7 Reasons Your Clients want to leave you a voicemail message
Some business owners don’t find voicemail good for business. There are a number of reasons behind this the most notable revolving around the fact that some employees use voicemail to hide from calls. Although this is true to some extent in certain office settings, employees (as well as anyone else who would use voicemail to avoid picking calls) would look for other means of avoiding calls anyway i.e. not picking at all or having someone else like a receptionist take a message.
From this perspective, voicemail may not be very good for business. It’s however important to note that the benefits your business stands to enjoy from voicemail far outweigh the shortfalls.
Below are 7 reasons why voicemail is good for your business.
1. Most clients actually prefer leaving voicemail messages
Although there are a few clients who think voicemail is used by employees to avoid calls, most clients prefer leaving voicemail messages over verbal or written messages to receptionists/secretaries for confidential reasons. Using voicemail in your business is therefore bound to increase client feedback.
2. Allows clients to leave more details about calls
Voicemail messages can run for minutes to even an hour allowing clients to leave concrete messages covering all aspects of their call. This is unlike verbal and written messages left with receptionists to explain to you. Such messages have to be summarized to a few sentences making them vague.
Jon Blackie, from Teleco’s IT Department, says that call length depends quite a bit on the configuration of the phone system, the embedded voicemail that comes with Avaya IP Office limits to 120 seconds. Voicemail pro defaults to 2 minutes but can be set as high as 60 minute.
3. You can prepare for calls better
Since voicemail allows clients to leave more details about their call, you can be able to prepare for calls better before you call back. This benefit is great for callsthat require some research/detailed feedback.
4. Voicemail is convenient
Unlike verbal or written messages which have to be retrieved practically from the source i.e. going to your desk and reading a note, voicemail messages can be easily retrieved from anywhere in or out of the office provided you have access to a computer/Smartphone and internet. This benefit is available with business phone systems which have the voicemail to email feature.
5. Voicemail messages can’t be lost or distorted
Written messages left on top of your desk can be easily lost. Verbal messages can also be distorted leading to miscommunication since they rely on the memory of the 1st recipient. Voicemails can’t be lost or distorted. You are assured of getting the message in the original form which allows for a better response.
6. Clients are never put on hold
There’s nothing as annoying as being put on hold. The inconvenience as well as the cost implication is unacceptable from many clients’ standpoint. Voicemail messages ensure clients aren’t put on hold. If there’s no one to answer calls at any given time for whatever reason, voicemail messages can be left instantly.
7. You don’t need a secretary/receptionist
Voicemail makes it possible to work without a receptionist/secretary. This benefit is great for business owners who aren’t in a position to hire support staff. Voicemail allows you to deal with all calls effectively without missing out on anything. Although you may not be able to pick every single call, you will be in a position to receive all messages and act on them accordingly.
The above information summarizes 7 main reasons why voicemail is good for business. In case you had any reservations about using voicemail in your business before, the above information is adequate enough to convince you otherwise.
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