• There are endless options for how to make your voicemail.telephone image by Vasiliy Koval from Fotolia.com
  
  Your voicemail sometimes creates the first impression that people get of you. Make a decision whether you want to have a professional, generic, or funny voicemail. Keep in mind the people who usually call you, and what your phone is primarily used for. For example, do not use a funny greeting if yours is primarily a business phone.
  
  

Business

• Business greetings should include the name of your company and the options a caller has. Most businesses have a voicemail system that allows the caller to choose where his call is directed. However, do not give too many choices. It may overwhelm your caller, which is bad if customers typically call the line. Try to give about four options. An example of a business voicemail message is, "Hello. You have reached the McCoy Paper Company. Press one for accounting, two for sales, three for customer service, and four to stay on the line for the receptionist."
  
  

Generic

• A generic greeting is perfect if you use your phone for both personal and business reasons. This type of greeting states your name, the information you need from the caller, and that you will call him back. You may consider doing this in two different languages if you speak two languages in your daily life as well, since these greetings are typically short. An example of a generic greeting is, "Hi! You have reached Jane Johnson. I'm not available right now to take your call, but if you leave your name, number, best time to reach you, and a message, I will be sure to get back to as soon as possible. Thanks!"
  
  

Funny

• There are endless options for funny voicemails. These can be quite crude or mildly funny depending on your personality. For example, a mildly funny one is a play on the generic message: "Hi, you have reached Bob. I'm not here right now, but if you leave your name, number, address, date of birth, social security number, mother's maiden name, and message, I'll get back to you as soon as possible." A classic but frustrating voicemail is to act like you answered the phone. Say, "Hey! What's up?... Oh, wait, hold on, you're breaking up. Okay, you there? Well, too bad I'm not. Leave a message at the beep."