partners@corneliacove.com
Talk to us

Free tool · No sign-up

Professional voicemail greeting generator for your business

The short answer

A professional business voicemail greeting is 10 to 20 seconds long. It says your business name, that you can’t pick up right now, what to leave (name, number and what’s going on) and when you’ll call back, plus what to do in an emergency if you take urgent calls. Fill in your details below for ready-to-record scripts.

Type in your business name and hours and get clear, professional voicemail greetings for when you’re on a job, after hours and on holidays, plus texts to send back to callers you missed.

Fill in your details

The scripts update as you type. Leave a box empty and that line is left out.

Optional. Finish the sentence “If this is an emergency, …”

Your scripts

Voicemail greeting

During business hours (on a job)

When you’re working and can’t get to the phone.

Thanks for calling [your business]. We're out on a job right now and can't pick up. Please leave your name, number, address and what's going on, and we'll call you back today.

32 words · about 13 seconds to read aloud

Voicemail greeting

After hours

Evenings and weekends.

You've reached [your business]. We're closed right now. Leave your name, number and what you need, and we'll call you back first thing next business day.

26 words · about 10 seconds to read aloud

Voicemail greeting

Holiday

Record it the day before you close; change it back when you reopen.

Thanks for calling [your business]. We're closed for the holiday. Leave a message with your name, number and what you need, and we'll call you back as soon as we're open. Happy holidays.

33 words · about 13 seconds to read aloud

Text message

Text back a missed call

Sent to a caller you couldn’t answer, so they don’t call the next company.

Hi, this is [your business]. Sorry we missed your call, we're on a job. What can we help with? Reply here with your address and what's going on and we'll get back to you shortly.

180 characters · sent as 2 texts

Text message

Text back after hours

For calls that come in after you’ve closed.

Hi, this is [your business]. We're closed right now. Reply with your name, address and what you need and we'll call you back next business day.

145 characters · fits in 1 text

How it works

A good business voicemail greeting does three things: tells callers they reached the right business, says when you’ll call back, and asks for what you need to call back well.

  1. Fill in your business name and hours. Add an emergency instruction if you take urgent calls.
  2. Read each script out loud once or twice before you record it. Smile; it comes through.
  3. Record in a quiet place (the truck with the engine off works), then call your own number to check it.
  4. Set a reminder to switch to the holiday greeting the day before you close, and back after.

Many callers won’t leave a voicemail at all. The texts at the bottom are for that: send one to every missed caller. To see what those missed calls may be worth, try the missed call calculator.

Common questions

What are some examples of professional business greetings?
On a job: “Thanks for calling Pat’s Well & Pump. We’re out on a job and can’t pick up. Leave your name, number, address and what’s going on, and we’ll call you back today.” After hours: “You’ve reached Pat’s Well & Pump. We’re closed right now. Leave your name, number and what you need and we’ll call you back first thing next business day.”
What is a professional greeting to use when answering the phone?
Say the business name and your name, then offer help: “Pat’s Well & Pump, this is Pat. How can I help?” Keep it short and the same every time, so callers know they reached the right place.
How long should a business voicemail greeting be?
Under 20 seconds. Callers want to know they reached you and what to do next, not hear your full services list.
What should a professional voicemail greeting say?
Your business name, that you can’t pick up right now, what to leave (name, number, address and what’s going on) and when you’ll call back. Add what to do in an emergency if you take urgent calls.
Should I give my cell number in the greeting?
Only if you want every caller to use it. A better option for urgent calls is an on-call number or a service that puts emergencies through to you.
What about texting back missed callers?
Send one short, helpful text from your business right after the missed call. It keeps many callers from trying the next company. Honor STOP replies.

More free tools

See all free tools

Rather not send callers to voicemail?

CoveDesk picks up every call in your business’s name, day or night, and texts you the details.

Talk to usSee pricing