During my time as a B2B sales rep, my voicemail greetings started off being long-winded, pitchy, and wordy. I thought that having a good voicemail greeting consisted of saying all the right things to guarantee the prospect answering my callback.
Many believe voicemails don’t convert and are a waste of time, but I learned that voicemail greetings are a hidden gem that actually helped me have more quality conversations.
Here’s what I learned: A good voicemail greeting doesn’t have to be overly detailed or salesy to be effective.
In this post, I am sharing voicemail greetings to help you record one that suits your style and approach — without using extensive language or pitchy verbiage. (You can also download free sales voicemail scripts for other kinds of calls as well.)
Table of Contents
- What is a good voicemail greeting?
- Voicemail Message Example
- Work Voicemail Greetings
- Short Voicemail Greetings
- Business Voicemail Greetings
- Vacation Voicemail Greetings
- Holiday Voicemail Greetings
- Sales Voicemail Greetings
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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.
What to Say in a Voicemail Greeting
When I was a B2B sales rep, understanding the purpose of a good voicemail greeting gave me clarity on what to say without rambling. I gained the confidence to build familiarity by reaching out as a sales representative, offering my services, and highlighting a value proposition that piqued enough interest for the prospect to answer my call.
As I mentioned, you don’t want to be too wordy in your voicemail greeting. Saying a lot doesn’t automatically mean you are speaking with quality and relevance. Your voicemail greeting should do two things:
- Build familiarity with who you are and what you offer.
- Allow the party to answer your callback.
Voicemail Message Example
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.
Work Voicemail Greetings
The work voicemail greetings I’ll go over in this section are best if you have a work phone that is specifically (and only) yours.
These voicemails are 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
“Hey, this is [Your Name] at [Your Company], where we help sales teams turn goals into real outcomes. I’m away from the phone, but if you leave your info and what you're hoping to achieve, I’ll reach out with how we can help you get there faster.”
Why I like this example: Having a sales result voicemail greeting is beneficial, as it offers a friendly yet sales-impact-focused approach. When it comes to sales, you always want to advise the other party on “what is in it for them” based on what they are calling to achieve.
When I was a sales representative, I would always offer a value proposition to pique the prospect's interest, giving them a teaser that let them know they were calling the right place.
And that is precisely what this voicemail greeting exemplifies. Immediately letting the other party know that you are busy turning goals into real outcomes enables the party to understand that you are really in the business of achieving sales results and that you are willing to help them achieve theirs. This is a great selling point and an attractive showcase all within this voicemail greeting.
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.”
Why I like this example: When I leave a voicemail, I may wonder when (or if) I’ll hear back. This voicemail gives a specific timeline for when the caller will hear back.
Prefer to be contacted via email? Make that clear in your voice memo so that listeners reach out to you through 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 there, thanks for calling! I’m currently unavailable, but you can contact [alternative contact name] at [phone number] if you need assistance immediately. Otherwise, please leave me a quick message, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Talk soon!"
Why I like this example: When it comes to work voicemail greetings, you can be professional and personable. Because voicemails have such a “perfect stigma,” people tend to forget we are human. We are not robots. Showcase some warmth and personality in your work voicemail greetings as you do with your voicemail.
In my voicemail greetings, I always like to offer a friendly welcome and thanks to the person calling. Even though they can’t reach you, offering an alternative contact is a straightforward way to navigate that. Ending the voicemail properly helps close out on a personal feel as well.
4. Parental Leave Voicemail Script
“Hello, this is [your name]. I’m currently out on parental leave until [return date]. I truly appreciate your call and understanding during this special time. If you need support while I’m away, please reach out to [cackup contact name] at [contact info]. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can after my return. Take care!”
Why I like this example: This one is for the parents who want to appear professional yet again warm and grateful in their voicemail greeting. Because of how sacred and special this leave may be for you as a parent, it’s an excellent approach to highlight that in your voicemail greeting, allowing your gratitude to be understood when a person is reaching out.
As a parent myself, I would use my voicemail message to express my appreciation for the special occasion that prompted my parental leave, and offer any necessary assistance while I'm away.
5. Resignation Voicemail Message
“Hello, this is [your first and last name]. I’m no longer with [company name], as I’ve recently transitioned out of my role. I’m deeply grateful for the connections and conversations during my time here. For assistance moving forward, please contact [replacement’s name] at [email] or reach out to [general contact info]. Wishing you continued success!”
Why I like this example: Usually, when you think of resignation voicemails, you instantly think of being short, rigid, or direct in your messaging. However, I think you should do the opposite by offering gratitude, being friendly, and being expressive.
I used this voicemail when I left a company years ago, and it was so effective. I really loved the customers, clients, and colleagues I met and worked with during my time as an employee there, so I wanted to make sure I highlighted them even in my resignation message. If you want to have intentional closure with a company, this voicemail greeting is it.
Short Voicemail Greetings
Neither you nor your clients have a lot of time to waste. I recommend 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 in [time frame]. Thank you.”
Why I like this example: Short, simple, and to the point — this voicemail gets to the gist fast.
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.
A short message is the strategy that Ashot Nanayan, CEO and Founder of DWI, takes with his voicemail. He told me: “My approach is to leave a short, approachable message that reflects my personality; something like, ‘Hi, you‘ve reached Ashot Nanayan. I’m either helping a client or on the road, but leave your name, a quick note on what you need, and I'll get back to you soon!’”
He adds, “This message isn‘t flashy, but it’s authentic and reliable, which helps build trust right from the start. It also subtly conveys that I'm active and engaged, which encourages callbacks.”
7. Short Voicemail Script with Requested Reason
“Hi [prospect's name], it’s [your name] from [your company]. I wanted to run something by you that might be relevant for [insert light hint: 'your Q3 pipeline goals' / 'new reps ramping up']. When you call back, just let me know what prompted your interest so I can keep it focused and quick. You can reach me at [your number]. Thanks!”
Why I like this example: This voicemail greeting is an example of what I mentioned earlier: making sure to offer a value proposition to pique interest in a way that is friendly and helpful to entice the prospect to call back. The value proposition should, in most cases, be relevant to the calling party and connect with the requested reason.
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.”
Why I like this example: 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.)
A short voicemail doesn’t mean bad voicemail. Aqsa Tabassam, sales and marketing manager at SoPicks, thinks it means the opposite: “I totally understand the challenge of picking the right voicemail message, especially when you want to make it sound welcoming yet professional.”
She shared the script she uses on her business line: “Hello, you've reached (company name). Sorry we missed your call. Please leave your name, number, and any details about your inquiry, and we'll get back to you soon.”
“Keeping the [voicemail] message clear and friendly can make a difference in how people feel about calling back…a warm but concise message builds trust right from the start,” she adds.
If you appreciate brevity, this voicemail will do the trick.
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 message, I’ll return your call.”
Why I like this example: 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.
If you want to use this method but make it more unique, drop the word “busy” and say what you might be doing, like being out on a call or something similar. Samantha Odo does this with her voicemail at Precondo, and she shared the script with me: “You've reached Samantha Odo at Precondo. I'm probably out showing properties or meeting with clients. Please leave a message, and I'll call you back shortly!”
She says, “This simple, direct message emphasizes my active involvement in the field. It works because it assures clients they are dealing with a no-nonsense, hands-on professional."
You can use this voicemail message on any device. You also ask for all of the essentials you’ll need to return a call.
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
“Hi there! You’ve reached the front desk at [company name]. We’re either on another call or away from the phone at the moment. Please leave your name, phone number, and a brief description of how we can assist you, and we’ll get back to you shortly. We appreciate your call and look forward to speaking with you!”
Why I like this example: This is a typical voicemail greeting, but I added “How can we help?” to offer a more personable feel for the person calling and the front desk associate. The “How can we help?” opens up for the person calling to express what they need assistance with so that the callback can be specifically about the request and not just a general callback.
Use this front office voicemail script if you want to receive clarity callbacks instead of general requests.
11. Customer Service Voicemail Script
“Thank you for calling [your company name] customer service. We’re currently unavailable, but your call is important to us. Please leave a detailed message with your name, phone number, and reason for calling, and we’ll respond within one business day. We appreciate your patience.”
Why I like this example: Having had a customer service experience myself, I appreciate a voicemail that highlights the expected timeframe for a callback. It’s essential to let customers know when they can expect a callback so they can be aware, prepared, and informed. This should be a customer service 101 callback standard, but most companies miss this simple action.
Use this customer service voicemail script to provide structure to your voicemails with calmness and reassurance.
12. Business Hours Voicemail Message
“Hi, this is [your name]. I’m currently unavailable, likely recharging or supporting others in doing the same. Please leave your name, number, and a short message. I’ll return your call during business hours. Wishing you a grounded and productive day.”
Why I like this example: For a business hours voicemail, I suggest creating a voicemail that reflects the nature of your business. In this example, since I help my clients prevent burnout with holistic practices as a coach, I stated this as the reason I am unavailable.
I close the message by highlighting what I help my clients achieve. You can do the same thing with your business voicemail message to let others know you are true to your business mission and you practice what you preach. Use this business hours voicemail message to convey professionalism and awareness to your current and future business clients.
13. “For More Information” Voicemail Script
“Hi there! This is [your name]. I’m so glad you called. If you're looking for more information about our offers, services, or upcoming events, please leave your name, phone number, and the topic you'd like to learn more about. I’ll get back to you ASAP. For faster assistance, please feel free to visit [your website] or send me a message at [your email]. Can’t wait to connect!”
Why I like this example: This type of voicemail script is perfect for highlighting your offers without being overly salesy. Since someone is already calling you, you can inform the other party of your offerings based on what you have available at the time. This could include promotions, services, events, etc. Highlighting your website and email to connect is another option to provide a self-service option, along with an alternative method to reach you and learn more.
Use this voicemail script for more information if you don’t want to pitch your offerings but want to present them in a valuable way.
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!”
Why I like this example: 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. This voicemail allows you to reinforce your company’s mission, showing people that you are dedicated to helping your clients.
15. Promise to Get Back Voicemail Greeting
“Hi! Irene from Spylix is this. Send me an email if you’re hoping for a quick response, and I’ll make sure to get back to you as soon as possible tomorrow. But don’t worry if it’s not very urgent! Please leave your name and phone number, and I’ll get in contact with you as soon as I can. I hope today is fantastic for you!”
Why I like this example: Irene Graham, co-founder of Spylix, an online phone tracker for parents, loves this voicemail greeting that she’s set for herself. As a caller, I like how specific this message is.
Vacation Voicemail Greetings
16. Classic Vacation Voicemail Greeting
“Hi, you’ve reached [your name]. I’m currently out of the office on vacation and will be returning on [date]. I won’t be checking messages regularly, but I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. If your message is urgent, please contact [alternative contact name] at [contact info]. Thanks, and I’ll talk to you soon!”
Why I like this example: I think vacation voicemails should be friendly and clear. I am guilty of this too, but many people's out-of-office voicemails are often general and uninformative. I understand the excitement of being away from the office, so who cares about creating a thoughtful vacation greeting?
However, having a vacation voicemail greeting that offers an update on what’s going on, along with when you are accessible, is a win for the party looking to reach you. Also, touching on the urgent review of messages as well as providing alternate contact information is the perfect closure to a classic voicemail greeting.
Use this classic vacation voicemail greeting if you are looking to create a thoughtful vacation greeting.
17. Adventurous Vacation Voicemail Message
“Hello! You’ve reached [your name], but I’m currently swapping my office chair for airplane seats and backpack straps. I’m traveling the world, chasing new adventures, and definitely not checking voicemails. I’ll return on [date], so leave a message and I’ll get back to you once I land — mentally and physically!”
Why I like this example: I am not the adventurous type, but if I were, this would be my vacation of adventures voicemail message. Letting the person who calls get a sneak peek into what you are doing on vacation is a fun, approachable, and personable way to create an adventurous vacation voicemail. By letting the caller in on the fun, you spark excitement with the certainty of not expecting a call back until you return from your adventure. Closing the voicemail with a return date and a clear state of being offers clear expectations.
Use this adventurous vacation voicemail message when you are headed for your next adventure travel.
18. 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.”
Why I like this example: 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. This message is short and provides a second person to contact. If you get calls from people you don’t have a relationship with, this voicemail message works well.
25 Voicemail Script Templates
25 voicemail script templates for any occasion.
- Referrals
- Partner Acquisition
- Cold Outreach
- Voicemail Greeting Templates
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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.
19. Office-Wide Holiday Voicemail Script
“Hi there! Thanks for calling [company name]. We're out of the office for the holidays and will be back on [date]. We hope you're enjoying this time of rest and celebration as much as we are. Leave us a message, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we return. Happy Holidays and cheers to a great New Year ahead!”
Why I like this example: Keep your office-wide holiday voicemail warm, friendly, and neutral. When you think of the holidays, most people consider it a warm and pleasant time, so your voicemail should reflect this sentiment.
Set the timeframe you will be out of the office, followed by a designated return date. A timeframe is great to include because companies have different days and amounts of time for employees to be out of the office. Providing a timeframe ensures clarity, and the expectation of turnaround time can be extended based on seasonal hours of operation.
Use this office-wide holiday voicemail script to offer up some for the holidays.
20. Personal Holiday Voicemail Greeting
“Hi, you've reached [your name]. Thanks so much for calling. I’m currently away for the holiday season and will be back on [date]. If this is urgent, please feel free to email me at [your email], and I’ll do my best to respond as soon as possible. Wishing you a joyful and restful holiday season!”
Why I like this example: For a personal holiday voicemail greeting, you can do something similar to what I mentioned for the office-wide holiday voicemail, but instead, speak solely about yourself. You can say your return date without specifying the full timeframe you will be out of the office.
By doing this, you are setting a clear expectation of your return, where the caller can expect a callback or reach back out at said time. Including another form of contact for yourself as an alternate contact is helpful, especially during the holiday season. Closing out a voicemail with well wishes is always a good idea. Use this personal holiday greeting for your next out-of-office during the holiday season.
21. 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.”
Why I like this example: 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. Emergencies can happen at any time. This voicemail acknowledges that urgency and provides a way for the caller to get the help they need.
22. 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!”
Why I like this example: 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. This message is not tied to any specific holiday. You can easily adapt it to say “winter break,” so it’s inclusive of everyone.
23. 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.”
Why I like this example: 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 the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, or MLK Day. You can use one voicemail for whatever holiday that you have on the docket, making the process simple.
Sales Voicemail Greetings
Leaving a voicemail to a lead? These greetings from experts might come in handy.
24. Timely Launch Voicemail Greeting
“Hey [name], I saw an ad for your product launch coming up, and if you’re launching a new product, our studio can help you create an amazing video for it. This will grab the audience’s attention, and you’ll get at least a 20% jump in qualified leads after launching it.”
Why I like this example: Andrew Cussens, owner of FilmFolk, a video and photography services agency, always tailors his message to the client’s particular needs for that project. He left the voicemail above for someone from a company that wanted a promotional video and said that, “following this approach consistently has led to our voicemail follow-up percentage skyrocketing by 42%.”
This voicemail also shows that you keep track of what your prospects are working on. This offers a personal touch that shows you’re invested.
25. Results-Oriented Voicemail
“Hey [name], it’s Laviet here at TP-Link. I wanted to let you know how our new range can increase your network performance by 30%. Let’s talk more.”
Why I like this example: Laviet Joaquin, marketing head for TP-Link, suggests keeping the voicemail short and full of value: “These voicemails are successful because they respect the recipient’s time while giving them a good reason to contact them again. Every message is personalized to make the recipient feel at the top of the priority list, essential for building a good first impression.”
Using specific metrics shows that your team has a goal for its clients. As a user, I’m interested to hear how you plan to achieve those results.
26. Pain Point-Oriented Voicemail Greeting
“Hi [prospect’s name], this is [my name] from VEM Tools. I recently came across [their pain point and or challenge] that many businesses in your industry face. I have a one-in-a-million solution that could potentially [key benefit]. I will follow up in a few days, but feel free to call me back if you would like to discuss further.”
Why I like this example: David Reid, sales director at VEM Tooling, highlights a relevant pain point and offers a solution in the same voicemail. The pain point is quickly acknowledged in this brief message. As a prospect, I know the business cares about my specific needs.
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. Feel free to use or tweak any of these greetings to match your own tone and comfort level.
Whether you lean more towards a professional, casual, or heartfelt tone, the goal is to convey a message that feels authentic to you — without overthinking the wording or sounding too formal. Just keep it clear, warm, and genuine.
25 Voicemail Script Templates
25 voicemail script templates for any occasion.
- Referrals
- Partner Acquisition
- Cold Outreach
- Voicemail Greeting Templates
Download Free
All fields are required.
