At The Tone
by Michael S. Clouse

We've all heard it—that (it was female, wasn't it?) encouraging voice instructing us to go ahead and do the obvious. Indeed, voicemail has become the umbilical cord for most Network Marketers, delivering business-life essential information necessary for our continued growth. Of course, there was a time when this techno stuff didn't exist, but now, ending up with a ring-no-answer is all but a fading, long-distance memory.

How about you? Does your company offer voicemail? And if so, are you taking advantage of this powerful, time-freeing, effort-leveraging tool? Or are you still waiting on the sidelines, hoping it will just somehow go away?

Like most of you, I too have voicemail. And like most of you, I receive numerous calls—most of them inquisitive, some informative and a few just downright dumb. I mean sometimes it's like, "Hello, did you even understand the words that came out of your mouth?"

For example, the other day I received your typical voicemail message from hell: "Ah, yeah, um, this message is for Mike Cloud. Ah, yeah, could... Could you please call me back, and if you can call during the day, I'll be at work. Thank you."

No name. No number. No kidding!

Luckily my trusty caller ID captures the caller's incoming number automatically, so I dialed: Ring... Ring... Ring... "Thank you for calling the Largest Corporation in the World, how may I direct your call?"

Even technology has its limits.

In order for me to better serve you, and in order for all of us to better serve each other-downline, crossline, upline and phoneline—may I suggest that we all agree to the following:

1. If your company has voicemail, get it. Learn how it works and use it properly.
2. Remember, leave your name and telephone number first, and your message last.
3. Write down the point(s) that you want to cover before you call.
4. Be willing to keep your messages to 60 seconds or less.
5. And please add an "interest line" to all your distribution messages—such as: "If you conduct business in the San Francisco Bay area, listen on..."

Here's a great voicemail example:

"Michael, this is Jane Smith. My direct number is 800.224.5678. I'm a Nexera e-News™ subscriber, and I'm calling to see if you would be interested in speaking at our International Convention in Dallas, Texas this coming March. The best time to reach me is between 9:00 and 11:00 am Central Time. Tuesdays and Thursdays are best... I'm looking forward to our conversation."

Twenty seconds, and she covered every point.

Now that's a voicemail message I can, and will return!

All the best,

MSC

P.S. If you're looking for a system that anyone can easily use, you should definitely check out this link: TSP.

© 2003 by Michael S. Clouse. All Rights Reserved.

About the author: In addition to over 50 published articles on the subject of Network Marketing, Michael S. Clouse is the author of numerous books and CD programs on the subject of Network Marketing. An internationally recognized Network Marketing expert, Michael is a well respected business consultant, personal success coach, and a dynamic educational speaker. His weekly newsletter is read by tens of thousands of Network Marketing Professionals around the world.