Learning voicemail etiquette

By Staff
Earlier this week I read an article about voicemail etiquette, and I have decided leaving brief and effective messages should be added to my list of resolutions for this year since I'm guilty of a few voicemail taboos.
The author explained that leaving a long, rambling message might cause the receiver to tune out or delete a voicemail, which made me wonder just how many of my messages have been discarded prematurely over the years.
When I was a resident assistant, a couple of our supervisors preferred voice mails over emails, which led to extremely long-winded messages about checking-out procedures or meeting topics. We dreaded those voicemails because our dorm phone system wouldn't allow us to delete a message until it was completed.
Last week I called a colleague who has been in the newspaper business for at least 20 years to get some information about a tournament. I left what I believed to be a voicemail that fully explained what I needed from him, and didn't think twice about it. When he called me back, we shared a good laugh as he informed me that I had left him the longest voicemail he had ever received.
I think the main reason I leave long messages is due to the ongoing games of phone tag I play with friends and relatives. My best friend Amber and I have completely opposite schedules, and we've often exchanged voicemails for weeks at a time before finally avoiding each other's ringtones.
The voicemail guru's tips included a stern warning to never leave messages longer than 30 seconds and to not give out multiple numbers to be reached at since calls can be forwarded to either a work number or cellphone.
The article also advised to make sure to leave a full name and to take advantage of email instead of clogging up voicemails with information overload.
So I'm going to do my best to keep my professional and personal messages to no longer than a TV commercial, except when a song is required to adequately communicate with my sister.