How to Record Your Voicemail: 5 Myths Debunked

Myth 1: Longer Messages Sound More Professional

Here's what's true: No one calls a business to listen to a long monologue. When someone calls you, they want quick help or clear instructions. The more unnecessary details you cram into the message, the more likely the caller will hang up before the beep.

An effective message only contains the essentials:

1. Who the caller has reached (your company name).
2. The reason for your absence, brief and clear.
3. The exact time you will be available again.
4. What the caller should do now (leave a message or send an email).

Myth 2: You Should Read Your Voicemail Script Like a Brochure

Here's what's true: Written language is not spoken language. A sentence that looks very professional on paper can quickly sound stiff and distant over the phone.

Director's tip: Don't write your script as if you are drafting a formal letter. Write it as if you are speaking to a customer at the counter. Deliberately place commas where a voice needs to pause. This breathing room gives the listener time to process information like an email address or opening hours.

Myth 3: Any Voicemail Example Works for Any Business

Here's what's true: Grabbing a template from the internet and reading it word-for-word can damage your brand. A law firm needs a different voice and word choice than a creative digital agency.

It's not just about the words on paper. It's about the tone you strike. Our Flemish voices, like Serge and Eveline, know exactly how to strike that balance between professional and approachable. They adjust their rhythm and intonation to match your company's identity.

Myth 4: Quickly Recording Something Yourself on a Mobile Phone Saves Money

Here's what's true: Recording a message yourself in a messy office space almost always results in noise, a hollow sound, and hesitant intonation. In the long run, this costs you customers who will doubt your professionalism.

With our selection of 94 professional voice actors, you can immediately choose a voice that sounds clear and inspires confidence. Our client Footcare put it this way after their recording: "Easy to find online, quick response, and very fast service. We now have a professional voicemail with a beautiful voice!"

Myth 5: One Voicemail Message is Enough for the Whole Year

Here's what's true: Callers immediately notice when a message is outdated. A summer holiday message still playing in October gives a sloppy impression. Use a fixed basic script. But make sure you can quickly switch it for public holidays, bridging days, or company closures.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a business voicemail be?

Ideally, keep the message between 15 and 25 seconds. That is long enough to provide the necessary information. It is short enough to hold the caller's attention.### Should I have my voicemail recorded in French or English too? In Belgium, a multilingual message is often a smart choice. Our Belgian voices, like Eveline and Serge, speak fluent French, English, and German, in addition to Flemish. This way, you help all your customers in a welcoming manner, without needing to hire a different voice actor for each language.

How do I ensure the recorded text sounds natural?

Avoid complicated jargon and long, complex sentences. Reading aloud while writing helps: if you stumble, the voice actor will also have difficulty. Write how you speak.

Do you want to avoid making a mistake when recording your phone messages? Explore the options for professional voicemail recording and let us help you think about the right voice and tone for your business.