100 Voicemail Ideas: Professional Voicemail Message & Greeting Examples

100 Voicemail Ideas: Professional Voicemail Message & Greeting Examples

Looking for voicemail ideas? Whether you need a professional voicemail for work, a business voicemail greeting, a short personal message or something more friendly and approachable, the right words can make a big difference.

A good voicemail message should tell callers that they have reached the right person or business, explain what they should do next and, where appropriate, tell them when they can expect a response.

To help, we have brought together 100 voicemail ideas and message examples covering professional, business, personal, after-hours, holiday, short, friendly and customer-service situations.

You can use these examples as they are, adapt them to suit your circumstances, or use them as a starting point for creating your own voicemail script.

If you would rather have your message created for you, the Voicemail Script Generator can help you turn your requirements into a professional starting-point script.

If your wording is already prepared and you need a professional recording, you can also find out more about Voicemail & IVR Recording.

What makes a good voicemail message?

A good voicemail greeting does not need to be complicated. In most cases, it should include some combination of:

• A clear greeting

• Your name or business name

• An indication that you cannot answer the call

• An instruction telling the caller what to do

• Information about when you are likely to respond

• Alternative contact information where useful

For a business, your voicemail can also provide opening hours, direct callers to your website or explain what information they should leave.

The best voicemail message is usually clear, concise and appropriate for the person calling.

If you are looking for professionally recorded examples rather than wording ideas, see the Voicemail Message Examples page.

Professional voicemail ideas

These examples are suitable for professionals, freelancers, consultants, business owners and anyone who wants a polished voicemail without sounding overly formal.

1. Standard professional voicemail

"Hello, you've reached [Name]. I'm unable to take your call at the moment. Please leave your name, number and a brief message, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible."

2. Professional and concise

"Hello, you've reached [Name]. I'm unavailable right now. Please leave your name, number and message, and I'll return your call as soon as I can."

3. Professional business contact

"Thank you for calling [Name]. I'm unable to answer your call at the moment. Please leave your details and I'll get back to you as soon as possible."

4. Formal professional message

"Hello, you've reached [Name]. I'm currently unavailable. Please leave your name, contact number and details of your enquiry, and I will return your call as soon as possible."

5. Professional but approachable

"Hi, you've reached [Name]. I'm unable to answer right now, but I'd be happy to call you back. Please leave your name, number and a brief message."

6. Consultant voicemail

"Hello, you've reached [Name]. I'm currently assisting another client or away from the phone. Please leave your details and I'll return your call as soon as possible."

7. Freelancer voicemail

"Hi, this is [Name]. I'm currently unavailable. Please leave your name, number and a few details about your enquiry, and I'll get back to you shortly."

8. Professional callback message

"Hello, you've reached [Name]. I'm unable to take your call at present. Please leave your contact details and I'll return your call as soon as I'm available."

9. Busy professional

"Hi, you've reached [Name]. I'm currently busy and unable to answer your call. Please leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can."

10. Professional voicemail with expectations

"Hello, you've reached [Name]. I'm unavailable at the moment. Please leave your details and I'll return your call within [timeframe]. Thank you."

Voicemail ideas for work

These messages are useful for employees, remote workers, office-based professionals and people using their phone for work.

11. General work voicemail

"Hi, you've reached [Name] at [Company]. I'm unable to answer your call right now. Please leave your name, number and message, and I'll get back to you."

12. Working away from the phone

"Hello, you've reached [Name]. I'm currently away from my phone. Please leave a message and I'll return your call when I'm available."

13. In a meeting

"Hi, you've reached [Name]. I'm currently in a meeting and can't take your call. Please leave your name, number and message, and I'll call you back when I'm free."

14. Working with a client

"Hello, you've reached [Name]. I'm currently with a client and unable to answer. Please leave your details and I'll return your call as soon as possible."

15. Remote working

"Hi, you've reached [Name]. I'm currently away from my phone. Please leave a message and I'll get back to you during my working hours."

16. Busy office professional

"Hello, this is [Name]. I'm unable to take your call right now. Please leave your details and I'll return your call as soon as I can."

17. Workday callback

"Hi, you've reached [Name]. I'm unavailable at present. Please leave your name, number and message, and I'll return your call during working hours."

18. Work voicemail with email alternative

"Hello, you've reached [Name]. I'm unable to take your call at the moment. Please leave a message, or contact me by email if your enquiry is urgent."

19. Work voicemail with urgency instruction

"Hi, you've reached [Name]. I'm currently unavailable. Please leave your message and contact number. If your enquiry is urgent, please contact [alternative contact]."

20. Simple workplace voicemail

"Hello, you've reached [Name]. I can't take your call right now. Please leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as possible."

Business voicemail ideas

A business voicemail should reassure customers that they have reached the right company and make it easy for them to know what to do next.

21. General business voicemail

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. We're unable to answer your call right now. Please leave your name, number and a brief message, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible."

22. Small business voicemail

"Hello, you've reached [Business Name]. We're currently unable to take your call. Please leave your details and we'll return your call as soon as we can."

23. Customer-focused business voicemail

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Your call is important to us. Please leave your name, contact number and details of your enquiry, and a member of our team will get back to you."

24. Professional company voicemail

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. We are unable to answer your call at present. Please leave your details and we'll return your call as soon as possible."

25. Business voicemail with opening hours

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Our office is currently closed. Our opening hours are [hours]. Please leave a message and we'll get back to you when we're next available."

26. Business voicemail with website

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. We're unable to take your call at the moment. Please leave a message, or visit our website at [website] for further information."

27. Customer enquiry voicemail

"Hello, you've reached [Business Name]. Please leave your name, contact number and details of your enquiry, and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible."

28. Sales enquiry voicemail

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Please leave your name, number and details of your requirements, and one of our team will contact you shortly."

29. Service business voicemail

"Hello, you've reached [Business Name]. We're currently unable to answer your call. Please leave your details and information about the service you require, and we'll get back to you."

30. Business callback expectation

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Please leave your name, number and message. We'll return your call within [timeframe]."

If your business needs several related telephone messages, you can also explore professional voicemail and IVR recording for a consistent set of recordings.

Short voicemail ideas

Sometimes the best voicemail message is simply the shortest one that gives the caller enough information.

31. Very short voicemail

"Hi, you've reached [Name]. Please leave a message after the tone."

32. Short professional voicemail

"Hello, you've reached [Name]. I'm unavailable. Please leave your name, number and message."

33. Short business voicemail

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Please leave your details and we'll call you back."

34. Short personal voicemail

"Hi, it's [Name]. I can't take your call right now. Please leave a message."

35. Short callback message

"Hello, you've reached [Name]. Please leave your message and I'll call you back."

36. Short work message

"Hi, you've reached [Name]. I'm unavailable at the moment. Please leave a message."

37. Short professional alternative

"Hello, this is [Name]. I can't answer right now. Please leave your details."

38. Minimal business greeting

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Please leave a message after the tone."

39. Short friendly message

"Hi, you've reached [Name]. Sorry I missed you. Please leave a message."

40. Short voicemail with callback

"Hello, you've reached [Name]. Please leave your number and I'll get back to you."

Friendly voicemail ideas

A professional voicemail does not have to sound cold or formal. A warmer message can be ideal for tradespeople, consultants, creative businesses, local services and personal phones.

41. Friendly professional

"Hi, you've reached [Name]. Sorry I missed your call. Leave your name, number and a message, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can."

42. Warm business greeting

"Hello, and thanks for calling [Business Name]. We're unable to answer right now, but please leave your details and we'll get back to you shortly."

43. Friendly personal message

"Hi, it's [Name]. I'm not able to answer right now, but leave me a message and I'll get back to you when I can."

44. Friendly customer message

"Hi, thanks for calling [Business Name]. We're currently away from the phone. Leave your details and we'll be happy to get back to you."

45. Friendly professional callback

"Hello, you've reached [Name]. I'm currently unavailable, but I'd love to get back to you. Please leave your details after the tone."

46. Friendly local business message

"Hi, thanks for calling [Business Name]. We can't get to the phone right now, so please leave your name and number and we'll get back to you."

47. Approachable work voicemail

"Hi, you've reached [Name]. I'm tied up at the moment, but please leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can."

48. Friendly consultant

"Hello, you've reached [Name]. I'm currently speaking with someone else. Please leave your details and I'll give you a call back shortly."

49. Warm customer-service greeting

"Thanks for calling [Business Name]. We're unable to answer right now, but your message is important to us. Please leave your details and we'll be in touch."

50. Friendly simple message

"Hi, you've reached [Name]. Sorry I missed you. Leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as possible."

After-hours voicemail ideas

After-hours messages should make it clear that the business is closed while giving callers useful information about when they can expect a response.

51. Standard after-hours message

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Our office is currently closed. Please leave your name, number and message, and we'll return your call during our normal opening hours."

52. After-hours with opening times

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. We're currently closed. Our opening hours are [hours]. Please leave a message and we'll get back to you when we're next available."

53. After-hours business message

"Hello, you've reached [Business Name]. We're currently outside our normal opening hours. Please leave your details and we'll return your call as soon as possible."

54. Evening voicemail

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Our office is now closed for the day. Please leave a message and we'll contact you during our next working day."

55. Weekend voicemail

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Our office is currently closed for the weekend. Please leave your name, number and message, and we'll get back to you on [day]."

56. Emergency contact option

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. We are currently closed. If your enquiry is urgent, please contact [alternative number]. Otherwise, leave a message and we'll get back to you during our normal opening hours."

57. After-hours with website

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. We're currently closed. Please leave a message, or visit [website] for information about our services and opening hours."

58. Simple closed message

"Hello, you've reached [Business Name]. We're currently closed. Please leave a message after the tone and we'll return your call as soon as we're available."

59. Professional out-of-hours message

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Our office is currently closed. Please leave your contact details and we'll respond during our next working period."

60. Customer-focused after-hours message

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. We're currently unavailable, but your call is important to us. Please leave your details and we'll get back to you as soon as possible."

Holiday and away voicemail ideas

These messages are useful for annual leave, holidays, Christmas, bank holidays and other periods when you are temporarily unavailable.

61. Holiday voicemail

"Hello, you've reached [Name]. I'm currently away on holiday and will return on [date]. Please leave a message and I'll get back to you when I return."

62. Annual leave message

"Thank you for calling [Name]. I'm currently away from the office and will return on [date]. Please leave your details and I'll respond as soon as possible after my return."

63. Business holiday closure

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. We are currently closed for a holiday period and will reopen on [date]. Please leave a message and we'll respond when we're back."

64. Christmas voicemail

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Our office is currently closed for the Christmas period. We'll reopen on [date]. Please leave a message and we'll get back to you when we're back."

65. Bank holiday message

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. We're currently closed for the bank holiday. Please leave your details and we'll return your call when the office reopens."

66. Away from office

"Hello, you've reached [Name]. I'm currently away from the office until [date]. Please leave your name, number and message, and I'll get back to you when I return."

67. Holiday with alternative contact

"Hi, you've reached [Name]. I'm currently away until [date]. If your enquiry is urgent, please contact [alternative contact]. Otherwise, leave a message and I'll get back to you when I return."

68. Temporary closure

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. We are temporarily closed and expect to reopen on [date]. Please leave your details and we'll contact you as soon as possible."

69. Professional absence message

"Hello, you've reached [Name]. I'm currently unavailable until [date]. Please leave a message and I'll respond as soon as possible after my return."

70. Simple holiday greeting

"Hi, you've reached [Name]. I'm currently away and will return on [date]. Please leave a message and I'll get back to you then."

Customer-service voicemail ideas

For customer-facing businesses, the voicemail should make the next step particularly clear.

71. General customer-service message

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Please leave your name, contact number and details of your enquiry, and a member of our team will get back to you."

72. Customer support voicemail

"Thank you for contacting [Business Name]. We're unable to answer your call right now. Please leave your details and a brief description of the issue, and our support team will contact you."

73. Booking enquiry voicemail

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Please leave your name, number and details of the booking you are enquiring about, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible."

74. Appointment enquiry

"Hello, you've reached [Business Name]. Please leave your name, telephone number and the reason for your call, and we'll contact you to arrange an appointment."

75. Order enquiry

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Please leave your name, order number and details of your enquiry, and a member of our team will get back to you."

76. Customer complaint message

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. We're sorry we can't take your call right now. Please leave your name, contact details and a brief description of your enquiry, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible."

77. Technical support message

"Thank you for calling [Business Name] technical support. Please leave your name, contact number and details of the issue you're experiencing, and our team will get back to you."

78. Service enquiry

"Hello, you've reached [Business Name]. Please leave your name, number and details of the service you require, and we'll contact you to discuss your enquiry."

79. Customer callback message

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Please leave your name, number and message. A member of our team will return your call as soon as possible."

80. Customer information message

"Hello, you've reached [Business Name]. Please leave your contact details and tell us briefly how we can help. We'll get back to you as soon as we're able."

Creative and personal voicemail ideas

Not every voicemail needs to sound like a corporate telephone system. These examples are suitable for personal phones and situations where a little more personality is appropriate.

81. Casual personal voicemail

"Hi, you've reached [Name]. I'm not able to answer right now, so leave me a message and I'll get back to you."

82. Relaxed personal message

"Hey, it's [Name]. Sorry I missed you. Leave your name and number after the tone and I'll get back to you."

83. Cheerful voicemail

"Hi, you've reached [Name]. I'm away from the phone at the moment. Leave a message and I'll get back to you soon."

84. Warm personal greeting

"Hello, you've reached [Name]. Thanks for calling. I'm not available right now, but leave me a message and I'll get back to you."

85. Casual work-life message

"Hi, it's [Name]. I'm probably away from my phone at the moment. Leave me a message and I'll give you a call back."

86. Creative professional voicemail

"Hello, you've reached [Name]. I'm currently unavailable, but your message is welcome. Leave your details and I'll get back to you."

87. Personal voicemail with expectations

"Hi, it's [Name]. I can't answer right now, but leave your name and number and I'll get back to you later today."

88. Relaxed business voicemail

"Hi, thanks for calling [Business Name]. We're away from the phone right now, but leave your details and we'll get back to you shortly."

89. Friendly personal callback

"Hi, you've reached [Name]. Sorry I missed your call. Leave me a message and I'll call you back when I'm free."

90. Simple personal greeting

"Hello, this is [Name]. I'm unavailable right now. Please leave a message after the tone."

Voicemail ideas for urgent calls

When callers may need assistance quickly, the message should explain what to do if waiting for a callback is not appropriate.

91. Urgent business enquiry

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. We're unable to answer at the moment. Please leave your details. For urgent enquiries, please contact [alternative number]."

92. Emergency contact instruction

"Hello, you've reached [Business Name]. Please leave a message after the tone. If you require emergency assistance, please contact [appropriate service or number]."

93. Urgent customer support

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Please leave your name, number and details of your enquiry. If your matter is urgent, please contact [alternative contact]."

94. Out-of-hours urgent message

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Our office is currently closed. For urgent enquiries, please contact [alternative number]. For all other enquiries, please leave a message."

95. Professional urgent voicemail

"Hello, you've reached [Name]. I'm currently unavailable. Please leave your details. If your enquiry requires immediate attention, please contact [alternative contact]."

Voicemail ideas with clear next steps

Sometimes the most useful voicemail is one that tells the caller exactly what information to provide.

96. Ask for key details

"Hello, you've reached [Name]. Please leave your name, telephone number and a brief description of your enquiry, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible."

97. Ask for preferred callback time

"Hi, you've reached [Name]. Please leave your name, number, message and your preferred time for a callback, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible."

98. Ask for customer details

"Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Please leave your name, contact number, customer or reference number if applicable, and details of your enquiry."

99. Direct callers to the right information

"Hello, you've reached [Business Name]. Please leave your name, number and message. You can also find information about our services and opening hours at [website]."

100. Professional all-purpose voicemail

"Thank you for calling [Name or Business Name]. I'm unable to take your call at the moment. Please leave your name, contact number and a brief message, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for calling."

How to choose the right voicemail idea

The best voicemail message depends on who is calling and what you want them to do next.

For a personal voicemail, a short and friendly message is usually enough.

For a professional voicemail, include your name and make it clear that you will return the call.

For a business voicemail, identify the business, explain that the team is unavailable and tell the caller what information to leave.

For an after-hours voicemail, include your opening hours or tell callers when the business will next be available.

For a customer-service voicemail, ask callers for the information your team needs to deal with their enquiry efficiently.

For an urgent service, provide a suitable alternative contact method where appropriate.

If you want to compare different types of wording before choosing one, you can also explore the dedicated Voicemail Message Examples resource.

What should a professional voicemail say?

A professional voicemail should normally answer three simple questions:

Who have I reached?

Identify yourself or your business clearly.

Why can't I speak to someone now?

You do not need to give a detailed explanation. "We're unable to take your call" is often enough.

What should I do next?

Tell the caller whether they should leave their name, number, message, order number, reference number or other relevant information.

A good voicemail should make the caller feel that their call has been handled professionally even though nobody was available to answer it.

How long should a voicemail message be?

For most personal and professional voicemail greetings, shorter is better.

A simple voicemail can often be completed in around 10 to 20 seconds. A business message may need a little longer if it includes opening hours, alternative contact information or specific instructions.

If the message is for an IVR, telephone menu or business phone system, the wording should be carefully structured so that callers can understand their options easily.

Avoid unnecessary information. Every word in a telephone message has to be heard rather than read, so clarity matters.

For more information about professionally recorded telephone messages, see Voicemail & IVR Recording.

Need help writing your voicemail message?

If you know what you want to say but are struggling to turn it into a clear, professional script, the Voicemail Script Generator can help.

You can provide basic information about your business, the type of message you need and what callers should do next. The generator creates a starting-point script that you can review and adapt.

It is particularly useful when you need several related messages for a business telephone system.

Want your voicemail professionally recorded?

Once you have chosen or created your message, the next step is to have it professionally recorded.

A professionally recorded voicemail can provide a clearer, more consistent experience for callers and help your telephone system sound like a natural extension of your business.

Professional voicemail and IVR recordings can be created for:

• Business voicemail greetings

• Telephone systems

• IVR menus

• Auto attendants

• On-hold messages

• Out-of-hours messages

• Holiday messages

• Customer-service systems

• Cloud telephone systems

• VoIP phone systems

If you already have your script, it can be recorded as supplied. If you need help refining the wording, the script can be reviewed before recording.

Find out more about professional Voicemail & IVR Recording or get in touch if you are ready to discuss your recording.

From voicemail idea to professional recording

Finding the right words is the first step.

You can use one of the 100 voicemail ideas above, adapt an example to suit your business or create a completely new message.

If you need help creating the wording, use the Voicemail Script Generator.

If your message is ready, you can have it professionally recorded for your telephone or VoIP system.

A good voicemail message should be clear, natural and appropriate for the people calling you. The right words, delivered in the right voice, can make even a short telephone greeting feel professional and welcoming.

Frequently asked questions about voicemail ideas

What are some good voicemail ideas?

Good voicemail ideas are clear, concise and appropriate for the person or business receiving the call. A professional voicemail usually identifies the person or business, explains that the call cannot be answered and tells the caller what information to leave.

What should I say on my voicemail?

A simple voicemail could say: "Hello, you've reached [Name]. I'm unable to take your call at the moment. Please leave your name, number and a brief message, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible."

You can adapt the wording depending on whether the voicemail is for personal use, work or a business.

What is a good voicemail message for work?

A good work voicemail should identify you, explain that you are unavailable and give the caller a clear instruction. You can also include your normal working hours or an alternative contact method if appropriate.

What should a business voicemail say?

A business voicemail should identify the business and make it easy for customers to know what to do next. You may want callers to leave their name, telephone number, order number, reference number or details of their enquiry.

Should a business voicemail include opening hours?

Including opening hours can be useful, particularly for after-hours messages. It can prevent callers from repeatedly trying to contact the business when nobody is available and gives them a clear expectation about when they will receive a response.

How long should a voicemail greeting be?

Most voicemail greetings work best when they are concise. Around 10 to 20 seconds is often enough for a simple personal or professional greeting, although business and IVR messages may require additional information.

Can I use these voicemail ideas for my business?

Yes. These examples are designed as starting points that can be adapted to different situations. Replace the placeholders with your own name, business details, opening hours and contact information before using the message.

Can I have my voicemail message professionally recorded?

Yes. Once you have selected or written your message, it can be professionally recorded for use with your telephone or VoIP system. A professional recording can also be created for IVR menus, auto attendants and other business telephone applications.

You can find out more about professional voicemail and IVR recording.

What if I don't know what my voicemail should say?

Start with the situation you need the message to handle. Decide whether the caller needs to leave a simple message, provide specific information, wait for a callback, contact another person or use an alternative method of communication.

You can also use the Voicemail Script Generator to create a starting-point script.

Ready to turn your voicemail idea into a professional recording?

Your voicemail message does not need to be complicated. It simply needs to sound clear, appropriate and professional for the people who are calling you.

Choose an idea from the examples above, create your own wording or use the Voicemail Script Generator to help build your message.

When the script is ready, have it professionally recorded and give your callers a clearer, more consistent telephone experience.

If you are ready to discuss a recording, you can contact Spencer Cork.