25 Professional Voicemail Greetings to Help You Record the Perfect One

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Aja Frost
Aja Frost

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I have a confession to make: I haven't recorded a new voicemail greeting in nearly a decade. Since then, I've (hopefully) become more articulate, poised, and self-assured. But hear my voicemail recording, and you'd think I was still new to the work world, a little unsure of myself — and probably not an authority.

two people recording professional voicemail messages

Obviously, I need to update it. And if you haven't changed your voicemail greeting in over a year, you're likely in the same boat.

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After all, a professional voicemail recording boosts your credibility, makes you seem more competent, and encourages whoever's listening to it to continue the relationship.

A relatively unprofessional one — like mine, for instance — 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 voicemail greeting — and the best voicemail greeting scripts you can use.

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.

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.

 

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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.

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Work Voicemail Greetings

These work voicemail greetings 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.

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.

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 time0waster. 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.

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 [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.

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.

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.

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 for the caller to 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]."

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.

9. Short Classic Voicemail Message for Cellphones

"Hey, this is [your name]. Thanks for reaching out. I'm busy at the moment, but if you leave your name, number, and 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.

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25 Voicemail Script Templates

25 voicemail script templates for any occasion.

  • Referrals
  • Partner Acquisition
  • Cold Outreach
  • Voicemail Greeting Templates
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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 didn't pick up the phone.

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 specially 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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.]."

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 specially like the sign-off, which wishes the listener a happy holiday.

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.

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.

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.

Create a Professional Voicemail Greeting that Keeps the Conversation Going

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.

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