AFTER HOURS MESSAGE

Phone Messages

Nothing seems more frustrating than calling a company only to hear the phone ring out. Have they gone out of business you ask? Have I dialled the right number? Then you realise it's later than you thought and the office must be closed.

It's about then you begin to think what a bunch of A...s. They could have shown a little consideration and switched on their After Hours Message!

There is only one worse thing than not having an After Hours Message on your business phone. That is having a badly worded, poorly recorded, amateur voice telling you the office is shut for the day.

While often overlooked, an After Hours Message plays an important role in the way callers perceive your company. It forms part of your public "persona". Your brand image. And a bad After Hours Message can damage that image and may be regarded as ruder than having the phone "ring out".

Callers will be far more likely to be impressed by your company's attention to detail when you have an After Hours Message of the type that we produce. One that is well worded, clearly recorded and spoken by a professional voice artist.

In today's media-savvy world people expect a company to always present a fully professional image. Part of that image is the way the company "sounds".

Whether the person is part of a large audience hearing a radio or TV commercial or interacting one-on-one over the telephone, customers are very aware of the way you "sound".

The After Hours Message is one element in your company's "image". So it is important to ensure that the message presents your company in the best way.

A caller will quickly realise that because you have taken the trouble to have a professional sounding After Hours Message, yours is a company that cares. You will be seen as a business that is interested in projecting a quality "image" and also a firm that shows consideration for their customers.

The words used in an After Hours Message and a friendly "tone of voice" are equally important. It must thank the caller for getting in touch and explain that the office is closed for the day. Then the message should tell the caller the normal trading hours and invite them to call back. Most modern telephone systems will give you the option to record a message allowing you to collect the name and number of the caller so you can return the call.

We produce After Hours Messages in our recording studios located on Queensland's Gold Coast. We have a team of experienced copywriters to create the scripts and a pool of professional male and female voice over artists to read the messages.

To make it easy to select a male or female voice artist to read your On Hold Message we have uploaded various samples for you to audition. You simply have to go on-line to choose your favourite voice. Each voice artist has been given an ID number to be used when specifying the voice you require.

For real convenience, changes and updates to your After Hours Message can be done on-line at any time.

Make certain your company has a fully a professional After Hours Message. To request a free on-line quote, click here.

Sample script for an After Hours Message (AH): Thank you for calling...(say the company name here), but unfortunately you have called outside our normal operating hours and we are closed for the day. Our opening hours are (mention the hours of operation). Please call back during opening hours. Alternatively you can leave a brief message with your name and number and we will return your call when the office re-opens. Leave your message after the "beep". Thank you.

Sample of a Medical Centre After Hours Message (AH): Thank you for calling...(say the name of Doctor or Medical Centre), however you have called outside our normal opening hours. If this call concerns a medical emergency please hang up now and dial 000 to request an ambulance. Otherwise please call back during our opening hours which are (insert normal opening hours). If you wish to leave a brief message with your name and number we will return your call during normal opening hours. Please record your message after the tone.