A voicemail message helps briefly explain your absence and keep in touch with clients, colleagues, and potential customers. But how exactly do you record an effective voicemail message? In this guide, I'll show you how to record a voicemail message and provide 25 templates that you can use for yourself.
Customized, professional voicemail greetings boost your credibility, make you seem more competent, and encourage whoever's listening to it to continue the relationship. A relatively unprofessional one, on the other hand, does the opposite: It encourages prospects, recruiters, and potential connections to run in the other direction.
In this post, I'll share what makes a good professional voicemail greeting — and the best voicemail greeting scripts you can use.
Pro Tip: If you're not sure how to leave a good voicemail, check out the most effective voicemail script ever and how to end a voicemail that keeps the sales conversation open.
Table of Contents
- How To Record A Voicemail Message
- What is a good voicemail greeting?
- Voicemail Greetings
- Work Voicemail Greetings
- Short Voicemail Greetings
- Business Voicemail Greetings
- Funny Voicemail Greetings
- Vacation Voicemail Greetings
- Holiday Voicemail Greetings
- Recording My Own Voicemail
How To Record A Voicemail Message
Before diving into all of the different types of voicemail messages, here's a quick overview of how to record a voicemail message:
- Write your voicemail message. It‘s important to keep a professional tone, so I’ll share 25 scripts that you can personalize.
- Prepare for good audio quality. It's best to record voicemail messages in a quiet space without background noises or echo.
- Open your phone app. This can be your standard voicemail settings or a phone app like the Google Voice App.
- Tap record and say your voicemail recording. If you‘re nervous, you can practice using the voice memo app on your phone. It’s best to record voicemails that sound natural and friendly.
What is a good voicemail greeting?
A good voicemail greeting is short and professional, lets people know that you‘ll get back to them, and invites callers to continue engaging with a call-to-action. You should also show your personality if you’re in an industry or role that allows that. If your industry is more conservative, however, you'll want to keep humor and personal touches to a minimum.
What to Say in a Voicemail Greeting
Here's what you should say in a professional voicemail greeting:
- A greeting.
- Your name.
- Your company.
- A simple explanation for missing the call (e.g., you're away from the phone or are on holiday).
- A rough estimate of when you'll get back to the person.
- An alternative person to reach out to (if you're out of office).
- An alternative mode of communication (if you prefer email or text).
- A call-to-action such as “Leave a message” or “Send me an email at me@example.com.”
That's the simple structure of a voicemail greeting. Overall, your greeting should be professional, but the wording can vary depending on the situation. Check out a sample below.
25 Voicemail Script Templates
Here are 25 voicemail script templates for any occasion. That includes guidance for referrals, greetings, cold outreach, and more.
Professional Voicemail Greeting Sample
"Hello, you‘ve reached [name] at [company]. I’m unable to come to the phone right now. Leave your name and number, and I‘ll return your call as soon as I’m free. Thank you."
Easy, right? And yet, why is it so hard?
I‘ve got you covered. I’ve compiled some of the best voicemail greetings you can use for virtually any situation you'll come across.
Voicemail Greetings
- Sample Work Voicemail Greeting: Hi, you‘ve reached [your name] at [your company]. I’m unavailable right now — probably helping [type of company] get [X results, e.g., ‘double their leads in 60 days,‘ ‘hire the best and brightest engineers,’ ‘convert 40% more customers'].
- Sample Short Voicemail Greeting: Hi, this is [your name]. I‘m either on a call or away from my desk. Please leave your name, number, and a brief message, and I’ll get back to you. Thank you.
- Sample Business Voicemail Greeting: Hello, you‘ve reached [X company]. We can’t take your call right now, but please leave your name, contact information, and reason for reaching out, and one of our team members will be in touch within 24 hours.
- Sample Funny Voicemail Greeting: This is Bond. James Bond. Okay, it‘s really [your last name]. [Your first name] [your last name]. I’ll get back to you as soon as I'm done helping M16 save the world — which will probably be tomorrow at the latest. Have a good day.
- Sample Vacation Voicemail Greeting: Hi, you‘ve reached [your name]. I’m away from [date] to [date]. If you need help with [X] before then, please contact [name] at [phone number].
- Sample Holiday Voicemail Greeting: Hello, you‘ve reached [your name, the office of X company]. The team is currently out of the office, but we’ll be back on [date] stuffed with good food and eager to speak with you.
Work Voicemail Greetings
These work voicemail greeting examples are for the work phone that you and only you use. They're highly effective because they help you establish a relationship straight from the voicemail. Or, they help you share an important update in a simple, straightforward way.
1. Sales Results Voicemail Example
“Hi, you've reached [your name] at [your company]. I'm unavailable right now — probably helping [type of company] get [X results, e.g. ‘double their leads in 60 days,' ‘hire the best and brightest engineers,' ‘convert 40% more customers.'] Leave your name and number, and we'll discuss how your company can see similar results.”
If you're a salesperson, you can continue your lead nurturing process via your voicemail. In this voicemail script, you have the option to include a brief description of what you help customers do, so that your callers don't forget your value proposition. And even if it's not a sales prospect, it can help wrong callers understand whether they've reached the right person.
Pro tip: If you have several services or products, reference your broadest offering so that it applies to the most prospects.
2. Email Option Voicemail Example
"Hi, you‘ve reached [name] at [company]. If you need a quick response, please shoot me an email at [insert email address], and I’ll be in touch by EOD tomorrow. If it's not urgent, leave me a message with your name and number. Have a great day."
Prefer to be contacted via email? Make that clear in your voice memo so that listeners reach out to you through your email instead. This particular voicemail script makes email even more desirable by implying that it's a faster mode of communication.
Pro tip: The clear call to action is what makes this voicemail message work - keep your CTA just as straightforward.
3. Alternative Contact Voicemail Message
“Hey, this is [your name]. If you're calling for [X reason], please [contact so-and-so] or [go to our website, send me an email]. For all other inquiries, leave your name and a brief message, and I'll call you back within [one, two, three] business day[s].”
Receiving constant calls on behalf of another person, or for routine inquiries, can be a huge time-waster. With this voicemail script, you can provide alternatives to the caller, especially if you get calls for a common reason that you're not responsible for.
Pro tip: Try propositioning these alternative contact methods as faster avenues for the caller to get the information they need.
4. Parental Leave Voicemail Script
“Hello, you've reached [your name and title]. I'm currently out on parental leave until [date]. In the meantime, please direct all phone calls to [alternate contact name] at [phone number] and emails to [insert email address]. Thanks, and I'll see you in [month you'll be back in the office].”
Ah, the joy of welcoming a new family member! If you‘ve received parental leave, consider using a voicemail script like the one above, which directs callers to another point of contact. You don’t have to be so formal — feel free to customize it as much as you'd like to show your personality.
Pro tip: Resist the urge to apologize for missed calls in your parental leave voicemail message. Everyone understands this time away from the office.
5. Resignation Voicemail Message
“Hello, [person's name] is chasing new adventures and is no longer with [Company name]. Please forward all future requests to [new or interim person's name] at [phone number]. Thank you!”
You or someone at your now-former company can use the voicemail script above to direct callers to the best current contact. I like that it includes a friendly note that you're “chasing new adventures” — you can use a similar phrase to convey excitement at your new opportunity.
Pro tip: Keep the tone of this voicemail message warm and friendly; there's no need to imply that a departure was strained.
Short Voicemail Greetings
Your clients don't have a lot of time, and neither do you. Use the following short voicemail greetings to get to the point quickly and invite them to leave a message.
6. Short Sales Voicemail Greeting
“Hi, this is [your name]. I'm either on a call or away from my desk. Please leave your name, number, and a brief message, and I'll get back to you. Thank you.”
This short voicemail script is particularly apt for salespeople who are often on calls. But you can use it if you‘re a higher-level employee who’s often in and out of meetings, and if you often miss calls for that reason.
Pro tip: Smile as you record this voicemail message — listeners can actually hear the difference!
7. Short Voicemail Script with Requested Reason
"Hello, this is [your name] at [company]. Thanks for calling. Please leave your name, number, and the reason you‘d like to chat, and I’ll get back to you ASAP."
If you'd like your voicemail entries to be a little more specific, you can request that the caller mention the reason for their call. This is a great way to ensure you know why (or even if you should) reach back out to them. You can also use this example as a personal voicemail greeting by removing the “at [company].”
Pro tip: Consider using this if you get a lot of solicitors or cold calls. This allows you to prioritize your communication.
8. Short Classic Voicemail Greeting for Landlines
"Hi, you‘ve reached [your name]. I’m unable to come to the phone right now. Leave your name, number, and a short message, and I'll be sure to call back."
This classic voicemail message simply states that you couldn‘t come to the phone in time to pick up the call — which is particularly useful for landlines, which you don’t carry on your person. (If you‘re creating a voicemail greeting for your cell phone, this one wouldn’t quite work, because you usually have your phone on you.) I like that it's simple and to the point.
Pro tip: Resist the urge to over-explain yourself; unless you're saving lives, no one expects you to be accessible 24/7.
9. Short Classic Voicemail Message for Cell Phones
"Hey, this is [your name]. Thanks for reaching out. I‘m busy at the moment, but if you leave your name, number, and a detailed message, I’ll return your call.”
Another classic voicemail script, but this time, it‘s more device-agnostic. All it says is that you’re busy at the moment and asks the caller for their contact information and their message. Simple and easy.
Pro tip: If you conduct business on your personal cell phone, consider including business hours in your voicemail message to set correct expectations.
Voicemail Message Example
Hi, you‘ve reached [your name]. I’m unable to come to the phone right now. Leave your name, number, and a short message, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Business Voicemail Greetings
Are you creating a voicemail greeting for your entire company or team? These business voicemail greetings will do the trick.
10. Front Office Voicemail Script
“Hello, you've reached [X company]. We can't take your call right now, but please leave your name, contact information, and reason for reaching out, and one of our team members will be in touch within 24 hours.”
This simple voicemail message is a good fit for most businesses. Whether you‘re a local shop or an enterprise company, this script will courteously take messages if one of your employees doesn’t pick up the phone.
Pro tip: Make sure to accurately quantify your response timeframe to set realistic expectations.
11. Customer Service Voicemail Script
“Hi, you've reached customer service at [company]. Unfortunately, we're currently unavailable. But we want to help — so please leave your name and number, as well as your reason for calling, and someone will call back ASAP.”
If many customers are calling your customer service department, it‘s possible you might miss a few calls. (This is especially likely if you don’t have a call center or call center software.) This voicemail script is ideal for catching the few customers who might miss your team.
Pro tip: When someone reaches out to customer service, they're already having an issue with your product. That means that a positive tone matters in your customer service voicemail message and can help thwart frustration.
12. Business Hours Voicemail Message
“Hi, you've reached [company]. We're available by phone from [hour] to [hour] [time zone] Monday through Friday [optional: and from hour to hour on the weekends]. You can also contact us by going to our website, [URL], and live chatting or emailing us. If you'd like us to call you back, please leave your name and number after the tone.”
You can get ahead of frequently asked questions, such as those about your business hours and website, by including that information in your voicemail greeting, like in the example above. This script also provides an alternative mode of communication for your team.
Pro tip: Frame your alternative contact information as a convenience that's designed to help the caller get what they need more quickly.
13. “For More Information” Voicemail Script
“Hello, you've reached [company]. If you're looking for information on [X], please check out our [Facebook page, company website, etc.] If you want to know more about [Y], take a look at [Z page on our site, our YouTube channel, etc.]. Still have more questions or just want to chat with our team? Leave your name and number, and we'll return your call straight away.”
Like the previous example, this voicemail greeting gives the listener several pieces of information that are often requested from your team. That not only saves you time but also makes for a more comfortable and seamless experience for your callers.
Pro tip: Social platforms come and go; remember to revisit this voicemail recording every few months to make sure you're not sending callers to an abandoned profile.
14. Sales Team Voicemail Greeting
"Hello, you've reached the Sales Department at [Company name]. All of our representatives are currently helping clients [insert goal such as, ‘achieve 40% growth through streamlining HR operations’] and are unable to take your call. Please leave your name, company, and phone number, and we'll give you a call back ASAP. Thank you!"
I love this sales team voicemail script for two reasons: It once again repeats the company's value proposition, and it implies the team is busy with other clients, signaling that the product is coveted.
Pro Tip: This is fun, memorable, and full of personality, so make sure that your tone matches. At Dunder Mifflin, you'd want Jim Halpert recording this message and not Dwight Schrute (and NEVER Toby).
Funny Voicemail Greetings
A word of warning: These greetings will not do you any favors if you‘re in the midst of a job hunt or work in a conservative industry. Always remember your target personas. If there’s a chance they won't appreciate your sense of humor, opt for a straightforward greeting instead.
15. James Bond Funny Voicemail Greeting
“This is Bond. James Bond. Okay, it's really [your last name]. [Your first name] [your last name]. I'll get back to you as soon as I'm done helping M16 save the world — which will probably be tomorrow at the latest. Have a good day.”
This one is self-explanatory — adapt James Bond‘s famous greeting for your own use, and you’ve got a charming voicemail message that will get at least a smile out of your caller.
Pro tip: Choose a funny voicemail message wisely. If you often get emergency calls, the panicked person on the other end might not appreciate a whimsical recording.
16. Harry Potter Funny Voicemail Script
“Hmm. Gryffindor … No, Ravenclaw. Yes, you definitely belong in Ravenclaw. *Pause.* Okay, you haven't reached the Sorting Hat — it's the voicemail of [your name]. Please leave your name and number (and just for fun, the Harry Potter house you think you belong in), and I'll return your call as soon as possible.”
Recommended for Millennials and older Gen Zs, this voicemail script references one of the most beloved young adult series of all time. Plus, you're bound to get some interesting answers from your callers.
I wouldn't recommend this one if you primarily interact with older and younger generations who may not understand this reference.
Pro tip: Commit to the whimsy of this voicemail message and make sure it doesn't accidentally come across as monotone.
17. Chicken-and-Egg Funny Voicemail Message
“Hello! You've gotten the voicemail of [your name]. Leave your name, contact info, and the answer to the eternal question: ‘Which came first, the chicken or the egg?' Anyone who gets it right will receive a call back.”
This cute voicemail greeting asks a classic question for listeners to answer: "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?' You may not get satisfactory answers — or, alternatively, you may get a long and elaborate explanation. Stay prepared.
Pro tip: A message like this works best when your callers know you already. If you mostly deal with cold callers, something more straightforward will be more approachable.
Vacation Voicemail Greetings
Out of town? Your callers should know. Let them know with the following vacation voicemail greetings.
18. Classic Vacation Voicemail Greeting
“Hi, you've reached [your name]. I'm away from [date] to [date]. If you need help with [X] before then, please contact [name] at [phone number]. Everyone else, please leave your name and number, and I'll return your call when I return. Thanks, and have a great day.”
There‘s nothing wrong with keeping it simple. This voicemail greeting template can be adjusted for any sort of professional — even if you’re in a more “casual” environment, such as a startup.
Pro tip: A brief message makes people feel like you value their time, so don't be afraid to be concise.
19. Adventurous Vacation Voicemail Message
“Hello, you've reached [your name]. I'm currently [exploring Asia, hiking through the jungle in Costa Rica, hanging out on the beach in Bermuda] — or more likely, [recovering from extreme jet lag, googling ‘Are red spiders poisonous,' or looking for SPF 150 sunscreen] and won't be back in the office until [date]. Leave your contact info and reason for calling, and I'll get in touch then.”
If you'd like to inject a bit of humor into your vacation voicemail message, you can customize the example above for that purpose. Share your adventures with the listener, and be sure to include your return date.
Pro tip: A little personality goes a long way with clients and customers; Don't be afraid to show it in a voicemail recording!
20. Short Vacation Voicemail Script
“Hey there, this is [your name] from [your company]. I'm out of the office until [date]. In the meantime, please direct your inquiries to [coworker's name] at [email address]. They can also be reached at [phone number]. Thank you.”
This vacation voicemail message hits all the right notes: It introduces you, states your vacation dates, and provides an alternate point of contact (with two ways of reaching out!). Simple, easy, and polite.
Pro tip: Offering multiple forms of contact information for your colleague adds extra value to the caller.
Holiday Voicemail Greetings
No one should be calling during the holidays, and yet some people do. When you're out for the holidays, create a voicemail greeting that communicates the cheerfulness of the season while still staying professional.
21. Office-Wide Holiday Voicemail Script
“Hello, you've reached [your name, the office of X company]. The team is currently out of the office, but we'll be back on [date] stuffed with good food and eager to speak with you. Leave your name, number, and — if you're so inclined — your favorite [holiday dish, Thanksgiving tradition, etc.].”
This friendly office-wide voicemail script not only informs your listeners when you plan to return but also includes space for a holiday-specific prompt. A voicemail greeting can feel impersonal, but this one fosters some connection.
Pro tip: This warm and friendly greeting is best used for non-religious holidays so that the festive attitude applies to all callers.
22. Personal Holiday Voicemail Greeting
“Hi, you've reached [your name, the office of X company]. We're closed until [date]. Please leave your name and phone number, and someone will return your call ASAP. Have a great [New Year's, Fourth of July, etc.].” method
Want to keep it brief? This individual voicemail greening can be used for either the front-desk representative at your company or for your work phone. I especially like the sign-off, which wishes the listener a happy holiday.
Pro tip: Don‘t feel obliged to apologize or offer an emergency contact channel. Holidays aren’t a surprise, and no one‘s entitled to access you while you’re celebrating.
23. Emergency Contact Voicemail Message
“Happy holidays! [I'm, the team at X company is] away until [date]. We'll make sure to call you back straight away when we return. If your request is urgent, email [emergency contact] at [email address]. Thanks, and have a wonderful day.”
Sometimes, you might want to provide a contact for callers to reach out to in case of an emergency. This voicemail script includes space to do just that and is courteous and friendly, too. This brief recording will help those leaving important voicemail messages feel comforted and know how to get immediate assistance.
Pro tip: Considering the headspace someone might be in when they're having an emergency, remember to keep a helpful and caring tone with this recording.
24. Simple Holiday Voicemail Greeting
“Thank you for calling [company]. We're closed for [holiday] from [date] until [date]. Please leave your message, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. Have a happy holiday season!”
Want to keep it simple? This voicemail greeting script thanks the caller, informs them when the office will be closed, and wishes the listener a happy holiday. Can't get much simpler than that.
Pro tip: This general holiday greeting is great for religious celebrations that might not be shared by all callers.
25. One-Day Holiday Voicemail Message
“Hello! Thanks for reaching out to [company]. We're closed today for the holiday and will reopen tomorrow. If you leave your name, number, and a brief message, we'll give you a call when we're back in the office. Thanks again, and have a great day.”
Is your entire company or team taking a single day off for a holiday? This voicemail greeting script is perfect for one-offs such as Fourth of July, Memorial Day, or MLK Day.
Pro tip: Don't skip this recording! It may be tempting to skip customizing your voicemail for just one day, but clients and customers will notice your attention to detail and appreciate your clear communication.
Recording My Own Voicemail
It‘s time for me to create my own business voicemail message! I’m pulling inspiration from these voicemail greeting examples and customizing my message to speak to:
- Time zone frustrations. I'm a digital nomad and am often in different time zones than my clients, so I need to address this in my message to avoid frustrations.
- Reason for unavailability. As a full-time traveler, I don‘t hold normal office hours — but I don’t need to remind clients of that. I kept my reason for my unavailability intentionally vague.
- The needs of my clients. My clients are likely calling me to talk about a project, so I need them to feel supported and like I'm accessible to them.
- Alternative form of follow-up. Phone calls are rarely the most convenient form of communication for me, so I want to make sure I bring up alternative communication as a form of convenience for them as well.
My Professional Voicemail Greeting
Here's the template that I created:
Hey there, you‘ve reached [name] at [company name]. I’m currently away from my phone, so please let me know why you‘re calling and how I can help you. If you’ve changed time zones recently, please let me know so that I don‘t accidentally call you after business hours. I’m [X] hours ahead of [company time zone].
If it spares some of your time, I may respond with [alternative communication channels] unless you specifically want to connect on the phone, in which case just mention that, and I'll make it happen. Thanks, and I hope you have a happy day!
And here's how it all came together in my professional voicemail greeting:
Hey there, you‘ve reached Kayla at Writing From Nowhere. I’m currently away from my phone, so please let me know why you‘re calling and how I can help you. If you’ve changed time zones recently, please let me know so that I don‘t accidentally call you after business hours. I’m 6 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
If it spares some of your time, I may respond with an email, voice note, or Loom unless you specifically want to connect on the phone, in which case, just mention that, and I'll make it happen. Thanks, and I hope you have a happy day!
I went into a quiet room with no background noise, and after I recorded, I played the recording back and re-recorded it until it sounded perfect.
Create a Professional Voicemail Greeting that Keeps the Conversation Going
Did these professional voicemail greeting examples inspire you to dust off your own voicemail greeting and update it?
Creating a voicemail greeting might not be fun, but with the scripts I‘ve shared, you should have an easier time. No need to practice time and time again — simply plug in your name, company title, and other details, then read it out loud to your phone’s voicemail greeting recorder. With a professional greeting, you‘ll continue nurturing prospects even if you don’t pick up the phone.
Editor's note: This post was originally published in February 2018 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.
