Its always an unmissable opportunity from a marketing point of view to have the right answering machine message - after all its free!! and its just as important as a website or a logo - it is part of your whole 'shop window'.
For example when a client calls out of hours - they are probably a new client as they dont know your opening times - great opportunity to tell them how fantastic you are, and what a great decision they have made calling you.
It should of course not be too long winded, but just enough to get your message across without the client even knowing about it. It should definately not be so long that it inconveniences the clients time.
A really quick improvement for example would be- INSTEAD of this;
'Hi, sorry we cant take your call at the moment, please leave your message after the tone'
You could have this;
'Hi, you've reached funkyfingertips nail salon, all things fabulous for fingers and toes. We are busy making our clients look and feel fabulous at the moment so we're sorry we cant take your call. Please leave your name and number and we will call you back to book an appointment with us here at funkyfingertips nail salon, on the High Street here in Brighton?, we look forward to talking to you soon.'
Obviously I dont advise stealing other peoples trademarks ('all things fabulous for fingers and toes' -sorry Creative), but you get the gist. Its an opportunity to get a message to your client - so make the most of it, is my advice. x:wink2:
