July 2009
Voice Mail, Email, Text - How Do You Get Your Message Through?
On the 9th of July the Boston Globe ran an article about how people under the age of 65 were deleting their voice mails without ever listening to them. Voice mail messages are often lengthy and take time to listen to. The article claims that people are more apt to answer a text message than a voice mail. It takes less time to read and respond by texting. Read the full article here.
No Response?
Have you ever left a voice mail for someone you've just met or someone who has been referred to you and that person doesn't call back? It's happened to most of us. Frustrating! Ever feel like the person is avoiding you?
I'll admit to thinking, "Why doesn't he/she want to talk to me?" It never occurred to me however that they might not even know I called them!
I know I am not alone in feeling let down when my calls are not returned. It is important to keep your inner critic in check when this happens or it can lead to loss of confidence. Mine can make me question whether I really want to speak with the person I am calling.
Deleting Voice Mails
Knowing that people are deleting voice mails without listening may be annoying but it also can be reassuring. It isn't about you. The person never knew who called.
So what can you do to reach the person? How do you connect? In my sales days we tried people early in the morning, at lunch time, and after 5. Those are the times that people are most often at their desks and the call screener is not around.
Voice, Text or Email?
Of course if you have the person's email you could try connecting that way and arranging a time to call. Since the article claimed that people are texting more, that is another way to catch someone's attention that might get you an immediate response.
Given that today there are so many different ways to reach people once you connect with someone it probably is a good idea to ask the person what the best way to reach them is: voice, text or email.
Take Action
- How do you prefer to receive message? I'd love to hear from you. Did the information in the Globe article ring true? Until I read the article I never thought about my preference. Now I can see that I prefer email. What about you?
- Consider asking people that you network with, "What is the best way to reach you?"
- Do you know the best way to contact your boss? If your answer is to
not contact him/her unless absolutely necessary, think again. It is a
mistake in an economic downturn to avoid your manager. It is important
to stay connected. You do want to be sure he/she gets your message so
now is the time to find out what works best.