Home Business? Get Your Message Returned!
A Home Business Article Contributed by Fiona Mclaren
How to Ensure That Your Home Business Messages Get Returned
As every home business owner probably knows, there is a high likelihood that at least some of your business calls won't be returned. The reasons customers and clients don't return your calls are far ranging. It could be anything from the haven't checked their voice mail yet, to you forgot to leave your business contact details when you called. As a home business owner you should be aware that the more business calls that don't get returned, the more money you lose.
Your home business loses money because you have to make another phone call to find out why they haven't responded to your message. Your home business loses money because your time is diverted from somewhere more productive.
If you want to stop any possibility of losing revenue or time, you need to give your messages the best chance of getting responded to. And here's how you do it:
Why People Don't Return Your Home Business Message
A lot of home business owner's rattle off a voice mail message in the same way they'd order a meal from a numbered menu or a take away shop. ("Give me a number eighty two with egg fried rice please"). They expect the recipient of the call to instantly understand what they are talking about, and to call back with an appropriate response as soon as they get the message. Unfortunately, that's not the way the world of returning messages works.
Very often, the business colleague or customer doesn't immediately recognize your voice, or what products and services you are talking about.
They also may not be sure of what company you are calling from, unless you expressly told them in your message.
How a Home Business Can Get Its Calls Returned
You can increase the chances of getting your business messages returned by remembering a few simple tips.
1. You need to speak slowly and clearly. Especially if you have an accent. Make sure that the person receiving your home business message can easily understand what you are saying.
2. You must remember to leave your name, your home business name, and a complete phone number at the beginning of the message. Don't forget to include your dialing code in the message.
3. Clearly and concisely explain the reasons why you are calling. Voice mail isn't an opportunity for you to get in to a long sales pitch or a detailed explanation of some problem you have been experiencing. But you should make it clear WHY you have called.
4. Never forget to ask the person to call you back. If you don't they might not realize they have to.
5. You have to tell the recipient when you will be contactable. If you don't they may try to call you back and miss you by mistake.
6. It is a good idea to provide an alternate number or method for the recipient to contact you on, if possible (email, fax, mobile, or an evening phone number).
