2025’s Top Out-of-Office Voicemail Messages: 12 Free Examples
By Silvana Lucido-Balestrieri
| 25. June 2024 |
Communication
By S. Lucido-BalestrieriSilvana Lucido-Balestrieri
| 25 Jun 2024 |
Communication
    By S. Lucido-BalestrieriSilvana Lucido-Balestrieri
    | 25 Jun 2024
    Communication

    Top 12 Out-of-Office Voicemail Examples for 2024

    Ever found yourself trapped in the monotony of voicemail greetings? You’re not alone.

    But what if you could see a staggering 22% increase in responses if you use a powerful voicemail, even when you’re not at your desk?

    Effective voicemails enhance lead nurturing and conversion rates by engaging with missed prospects, leaving a lasting impression, and prompting action, potentially increasing sales.

    Join us as we unveil the top 12 out-of-office voicemail examples, along with expert tips to help you ace your voicemail game.

    Key takeaways:

    • Enhance communication by improving engagement, and adding a personal touch, while also providing accessibility and streamlining communication processes.
    • Learn how to craft out-of-office voicemails with a client-centric approach that showcases dedication to customer service, fostering stronger relationships and building trust over time.
    • Incorporate a touch of humor or creativity into out-of-office voicemails to entertain callers and leave a lasting positive impression, fostering stronger connections and brand recall.

    Why Do Out-of-Office Voicemails Matter?

    In today’s fast-paced world, an out-of-office voicemail is not just courtesy—it’s a critical touchpoint that can shape your clients’ perception and keep your business wheels turning, even when you’re not there to answer the call directly.

    If you think out-of-office voicemails aren’t important for a business, here are several reasons to reconsider:

    • Out-of-office voicemails keep callers informed when you’re unavailable, ensuring transparent communication.
    • They inform callers about your absence duration and provide emergency contacts if needed, managing their expectations for a response.
    • By guiding callers on what to do in your absence, out-of-office voicemails ensure that important messages aren’t overlooked.
    • Voicemails outline what callers can expect and provide guidance, showcasing professionalism and reliability.
    • By adding urgency and a personal touch, out-of-office voicemails can boost customer satisfaction, thereby strengthening business reputation and relationships.

    Moreover, studies have shown that using a powerful voicemail can lead to a 22% increase in responses, highlighting its effectiveness in maintaining engagement and ensuring critical communications are not missed.

    PlanRadar’s Results Using Cloudtalk Features Like Voicemail
    • 20% Increase in agent efficiency
    • 70% Increase in call handling efficiency
    • 3% Decrease in missed calls

    How to Craft the Perfect Out-of-Office Voicemail

    Now that we’ve discussed why out-of-office voicemails are important, here are 5 tips to make the most out of them:

    #1 Introduce Your Business Name

    Begin your voicemail by clearly stating the name of your business. This simple step adds a touch of professionalism and ensures callers know they’ve reached the right place. 

    Example: “Hello, you’ve reached CloudTalk…”

    #2 Outline Business Hours

    Set expectations by mentioning your business hours upfront. This helps callers understand when they can expect a response and reduces the likelihood of frustration. 

    Example: “Our business hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central European Time.”

    #3 Offer Clear Guidance

    Guide callers on what to do next. Whether it’s leaving a voicemail, navigating a phone menu, or exploring alternative contact options, clarity is key. 

    Example: “If you’re calling about an existing order, please press 1. If you’d like help placing a new order, please press 2.”

    #4 Provide Additional Contact Options

    Offer alternative contact methods such as email or live chat. This ensures callers have options for reaching you, even outside regular business hours.

    Example:“Agents are available to assist you via the live chat function on our website. You can also send us an email at help@cloudtalk.io.”

    #5  Keep It Sweet and Simple

    Respect your callers’ time by keeping your message concise and to the point. Aim for 20-25 seconds to deliver essential information effectively.

    Example: “Hi, you’ve reached [Your Name] at [Your Company]. I’m currently out of the office but will return on [Return Date]. Please leave your name, number, and a brief message, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for calling, and have a wonderful day!”

    Seal Sales with Out-of-Office Voicemail Mastery

    If you’ve ever doubted the importance of out-of-office voicemails for a business, we’ve provided compelling reasons to reconsider and tips to maximize their potential.

    Remember, a well-crafted voicemail message can make all the difference in fostering strong customer relationships and enhancing your business reputation.

    But to truly unlock the full potential of your voicemail strategy, you need a voicemail solution that makes life easier. 

    With CloudTalk, managing your voicemail messages is a breeze. From reviewing and responding to voicemails directly in the app to receiving transcriptions in your email, CloudTalk simplifies communication so you can focus on what matters. 

    Learn more about our Voicemail feature here.

    FAQs

    How to leave an out-of-office voicemail?

    With Cloudtalk, it’s very easy to leave an out-of-office voicemail. Here are the key steps to leave an out-of-office voicemail using Cloudtalk:

    1. Set your business hours in the Cloudtalk app. This allows you to automatically play a custom out-of-office message when you are unavailable.
    2. Record a professional out-of-office voicemail greeting that includes:
    – Your name.
    – The dates you will be out of the office.
    – A request for the caller to leave a message.
    – Optionally, the name and contact information of a colleague who can assist in your absence.

    Cloudtalk allows you to easily create and schedule multiple custom voicemail greetings, so you can have a specific out-of-office message ready to go when needed.

    What not to say in a voicemail?

    Here are some key pitfalls to avoid in a voicemail:

    – Don’t speak blandly; use energy.
    – Have a clear purpose; don’t ramble.
    – Speak your phone number slowly.
    – Avoid noisy backgrounds.
    – Don’t promise an immediate callback.
    – Always state your full name.
    – End with an invitation for a callback.

    How can CloudTalk help manage my voicemails more effectively?

    By uploading voicemails to CloudTalk, you can access them all in one place, ensuring timely responses and higher customer satisfaction.

    CloudTalk also offers several features to enhance voicemail management, including voicemail transcription, allowing you to read your messages without listening to them; customizable greetings to match different needs or times of the year; voicemail drop and integration with your CRM to keep all client interactions in one place

    Any tips for integrating voicemails into my customer communication strategy?

    Integrating voicemails into your customer communication strategy enhances engagement and delivers personalized messages. Here’s how:

    – Segment your audience based on demographics, behavior, and buyer’s journey stage.
    – Craft personalized messages addressing individual needs with clear calls to action.
    – Use voicemail for feedback collection and surveys to improve products and services.
    – Track metrics like response rate and conversions for campaign effectiveness.

    By following these steps, you can create effective voicemail campaigns that complement your overall marketing strategy and drive results.