“Hi, this is Don. Please don’t leave a message, I never check my voicemail. Rather SMS me or send me an email at don AT 21tanks DOT com. Thanks very much! Ciao.”
That’s my voicemail message.
I get mixed reviews. Most people love it and think it’s an efficient way of people getting hold of you. Others hate it, as now the burden lies on them to either SMS or email me with their message.
Why do I do it? It’s simple really.
OPTION 1: If you leave a voicemail message, I have to:
1. Read an SMS that tells me I have a voicemail message
2. Dial in to my voicemail
3. Listen to that boring chick’s voice
4. Press 2
5. Listen to the message
6. Scramble to find a pen and paper (or someone’s forehead) to take down your details if needed
7. Listen to boring chick again
8. Press 7 to delete
9. Hang up.
OPTION 2: If you send me an SMS or email, you have to:
1. Listen to voicemail stating my request for efficiency (including a splendid Italian touch with a subtle “Ciao!” at the end for good measure, leaving a smile on your face)
2. Type the SMS or email.
3. Press send.
Which leaves me to:
4. Read your SMS/email with your details and request, and take the next step.
.
Hmm… On a scale of zero to inconvenienced, which option would you rather choose?
The concept of voicemail is broken. It served a purpose years ago, but we’ve transcended that and realised there are much more efficient ways of leaving messages and getting in touch.
Firstly, you started the conversation, so why make it my problem (because OPTION 1 is definitely a problem) to find out what it is you want? Secondly, SMS and email is trackable. We don’t delete SMSs anymore because our phones can now, conveniently, store more than 12 at a time (shout out to my first cellphone, Nokia 6110 – word dawg), so I can conveniently find your SMS/email at an appropriate time to find out what it is you needed and call back if necessary. I also now have your details, because they were sent from either your phone or email address.
This is not only about me though. Every time I try to call someone, I send them a message if they don’t answer so as not to inconvenience them either. It’s a system we should all be subscribing to. Or just delete voicemail altogether, which will then force you to get hold of someone alternatively. I just like to give you the options.
Ciao!
November 20th, 2012 at 9:37 am
The world would be a better place if we all just adopted this thinking!
November 20th, 2012 at 9:44 am
Totally, man. I have a very similar voicemail. I simply DO NOT check my voicemail. Simple. I’d like to record the actual message, but only to tell people not to bother, rather than just let it ring.
I’d like to disable the actual leaving of a message. Just have the bit where I tell people not to leave one.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:09 am
The voicemails left on my phone are converted to text messages, so it doesn’t bother me I treat them as such. I haven’t dialed into my voicemail for over 4 years.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:11 am
I’m with you Don. Been trying to find the best message for years.
My current strategy is to give options. I’d like you to SMS or email me, or call Jess, who works with me, to try and help you. But if you feel like you have to leave a message, then that’s OK – just know it’s gonna take longer for me to get back to you, if ever.
So the framework for my current message is: “Hey, I can’t talk right now. Please email or SMS me, otherwise call Jess cus she could probably help you immediately. Otherwise you can leave a message, but there is a risk I won’t respond.”
Yes, the caller is trying to get hold of me – but I don’t want to be a complete douche about it. They’re probably calling me for something we both care about.
The next step is to use a voicemail-to-text service so I don’t miss anything. Cold callers never leave messages anyway.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:14 am
Visual Voicemail on iPhone actually makes it pretty simple to listen and keep track of voicemails.
Each voicemail is saved as a soundclip under voicemail, with the number/persons name that called. You can then play each one, forward / rewind and also use the phones speaker instead of holding the phone to your ear.
The SMS option is the best, but if you just HAVE to listen to your voicemails, then VV is pretty cool.
November 20th, 2012 at 10:29 am
I’m so leaving you a voicemail. Every day. And twice for Xmas… X
November 20th, 2012 at 1:33 pm
Why not rather just switch off the voicemail on your phone number? Call Vodacom on 111 and they’ll do it for you right away. Voicemail is just another service they offer, and one you can opt not to have. I did this about three years ago and I honestly don’t think anyone has noticed. My phone just rings and then goes dead if I don’t answer, just like a landline.
November 22nd, 2012 at 2:58 am
People actually use their phones to CALL??? And… horror of horrors… SPEAK to someone?!??!??
Haha, I hate speaking on the phone. I prefer e-mail or face-to-face conversations. Luckily my boss knows that this phone speaking phobia is included in my array of writerly neuroses, so she never phones me.
My phone fear is so bad, I’m sure if I’m ever jailed, I would waive my right to make that one phone call.
So rest assured: there is no risk of me ever calling you!
November 25th, 2012 at 9:25 pm
Yeah, I’m with Wes, just turn it off. Leaving a message telling people to not leave a message seems broken.
February 8th, 2013 at 12:04 pm
Türkiye de Kartal ferroli servisi olarak biz bu paketleri denedik oldukça ba?ar?l? oldu.
February 22nd, 2013 at 8:23 pm
Hi Don Packett,
I was wondering if you run sponsored posts on joblog. It is for a SA company.
If so, plese e-mail me.
Sorry for use the comment section, but I could not find your e-mail address.
I wish you a nice weekend,
Regards,
Olivia