Stever Robbins here. Welcome to the Get-It-Done Guy’s Quick and Dirty Tips to Work Less and Do More.
Today's topic is Voicemail. The quick and dirty tip is…Well, I have seven of them.
She sounded so happy! She sounded so delighted to reach my voicemail! "Stever, tag, you're it! Couldn't reach you, so am hoping you'll call me back. Have a great day!" She sounds friendly, too. She's even waiting for me to return her call. Unfortunately, I have no idea who she is!
Behind e-mail, voicemail is a favorite way to leave someone a message without the inconvenience of actually talking to them. It's great for those awkward conversations. "Hey, Billy, loved the artwork. We can't use it, but thanks for the three weeks of free work." or "It's been a great relationship, but I've met someone who'll support me //and// do the dishes. Toodles!"
But if you're going to break up with someone via voicemail, remember to leave your name! Please don't be so self-centered to believe they'll know who it is. You've been cheating, maybe your sweetie has, too. If you don't leave your name, you might put your sweetie in the awkward position of not knowing which of you is breaking up.
Take mercy on your sweetie, and on everyone else call, for that matter, by following Stever's Seven rules of Voicemail.
1. Always leave your full name. Stever Robbins. I can't say this enough. Leave your full name. They'll recognize my voice. No, they won't. Leave your full name. But I'm leaving my message for my parents. That's nice. Leave your full name. It's good practice. Your parents agonized over that name. They fought over it. They almost divorced while debating Filligan versus Dormalia. And your middle name? Don't even get me started. Just leave your full name.
2. Always leave your phone number twice. 866-WRK-LESS. Once at the beginning and once at the end. But they have my phone number, you cry! No, they don't, not with them. But we talk every day! Yes, and they don't have your phone number. Not in front of their eyes. Just leave it. Leave it at the beginning of the message and the end. If they miss it the first time, they'll have a second chance. And whether their voicemail has "rewind 10 seconds" or "replay from start," they'll //quickly// be able to get right to the number with only a couple of key presses. 866-WRK-LESS.
3. Speak slowly and clearly. Your brain screens out traffic, conversations, and wind while you leave a message. You hear the dulcet strains of your own voice, while the voicemail system hears static, wind, the occasional siren, and that truly disgusting belch you expelled without a second thought. Oh, yeah, and your cell phone is cutting out while you leave the message. Speak to them ... like ... they're ... a ... child. They'll understand you and you'll get the fun of activating your parental instincts without the fuss of actually changing your friend's diapers.
4. Leave enough information so the person can take the next step. Don't just say "Call me." What a cop out. You'll just bounce back and forth like some hideous voicemail volleyball. Tell them enough so they can proceed without calling back, or if they call back, they can do it having made all the progress possible. "This is Sam, calling about the, er, health issue. Could you call me back with the name of that antibiotic? And what's your favorite cotton swab? Thanks!"
By the way, when you're done with this episode, download a PDF of these rules from getitdone.quickanddirtytips.com.
5. If you're just calling to touch base, let them know a few times when they can call you back. There are times you want a phone call, and times when you don't. When you're out on the town, edging up to that sexy single standing by the bar, you just aren't in the mood to take a phone call about refilling your company's supply of packing peanuts. Tell your voicemail victim, "Give me a call today after 3, tomorrow at 7, or Thursday between 9 and noon." You'll help them and save your love life, all at once.
6. Keep it short and simple.
7. Make it fun. If you must go on and on in a voicemail message, make it easy to listen to. Be humorous. Sing. Deliver your message in rhyme. I do all these things, and people love getting messages from me. If you're going to force people to think of you, have 'em think of you fondly.
If you remember nothing else from this episode, remember this: leave your name, repeat your number, speak slowly, and carry a big schtick.
This is Stever Robbins. E-mail questions to getitdone@quickanddirtytips.com or call 866-WRK-LESS or follow getitdoneguy on Twitter. You can find a transcript of this episode at getitdone.quickanddirtytips.com. Pre-order Grammar Girl's Quick And Dirty Tips for Better Writing, coming out July 8th. For information about keynote speeches, workshops, or other appearances, visit SteverRobbins.com for details.
Work Less, Do More, and have a Great Life!
RESOURCES:
- http://www.steverrobbins.com/getitdoneguy/sevenrulesofvoicemail
- PDF copy of these rules - http://www.steverrobbins.com/getitdoneguy/sevenrulesofvoicemail/seven-rules-of-voicemail.pdf
