35+ Voice Message Greeting Scripts for Every Situation
Your voice message greeting is often the first impression a caller gets when they can't reach you. A good one gets them to leave a message. A bad one sends them to your competitor.
Below are 35+ scripts you can copy, customize, and record today — organized by situation.
Professional Business Voicemail Greetings
Standard greetings for everyday use during business hours.
Basic Professional:
"Hi, you've reached [Your Name] at [Company Name]. I'm unable to take your call right now, but your call is important to me. Please leave your name, number, and a brief message, and I'll get back to you within 24 hours. Thanks for calling."
With Specific Callback Window:
"Hello, this is [Your Name] with [Company Name]. I'm currently assisting other customers but will return calls between 4 and 5 PM today. Please leave your details after the tone, and I'll call you back during that window."
With Email Alternative:
"You've reached [Your Name] at [Company Name]. I'm away from my phone, but if your matter is time-sensitive, please email me at [email] for a faster response. Otherwise, leave a message and I'll call you back within one business day."
With Website Mention:
"Hi, this is [Your Name]. I can't take your call right now. For quick answers to common questions, visit [website]. Or leave a message with your name and number, and I'll return your call soon."
Team Greeting:
"Thank you for calling [Company Name]. We're sorry we missed your call. Please leave your name, phone number, and a brief message, and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible."
Executive/Manager:
"You've reached the desk of [Your Name], [Title] at [Company Name]. I'm in meetings for most of the day but check messages hourly. Leave your name and number and I'll get back to you before end of business today."
Short and Simple Voicemail Greetings
When brevity matters — under 10 seconds each.
Minimal:
"Hi, it's [Your Name]. Leave a message and I'll call you back."
Name and Company Only:
"You've reached [Your Name] at [Company Name]. Please leave a message."
Quick Callback Promise:
"[Your Name] here. Can't talk right now — leave your number and I'll call you back within the hour."
Text-First:
"Hey, it's [Your Name]. I'm faster by text — shoot me a message. Otherwise, leave a voicemail and I'll get back to you."
Straight to the Point:
"This is [Your Name]. Leave your name, number, and what you need. I'll call you back today."
After-Hours Voicemail Greetings
Set expectations when the office is closed.
Standard After-Hours:
"You've reached [Company Name]. Our office is currently closed. Our business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Please leave a message and we'll return your call on the next business day."
With Emergency Instructions:
"Hi, you've reached [Your Name] at [Company Name]. Our office is closed for the evening. For emergencies, please press 1 to reach our on-call technician. For all other matters, leave a message and we'll call you back first thing tomorrow."
Weekend-Specific:
"Thanks for calling [Company Name]. We're closed for the weekend and will reopen Monday at 8 AM. Leave a message with your name and number, and we'll return your call Monday morning."
With Online Booking:
"You've reached [Company Name] after business hours. You can book an appointment anytime at [website] or leave a message and we'll call you back when we open at [time]. Thanks for calling."
Out-of-Office and Vacation Greetings
For planned absences with backup contact info.
Short Vacation:
"Hi, this is [Your Name]. I'm out of the office until [Date] with limited access to messages. If you need immediate assistance, please contact [Backup Name] at [Number]. Otherwise, I'll return your call when I'm back."
Extended Leave:
"You've reached [Your Name] at [Company Name]. I'm currently on leave and will return on [Date]. During my absence, please contact [Backup Name] at [Number/Email] for assistance. Thank you for your patience."
Parental Leave:
"Hi, you've reached [Your Name]. I'm on parental leave through [Date]. For all inquiries, please contact [Backup Contact] at [Number/Email]. They'll be happy to help you. Thanks for understanding."
Conference or Travel:
"This is [Your Name]. I'm traveling for [event/conference] through [Date] and may be slow to return calls. For urgent matters, email me at [email]. I'll get back to everyone else when I return."
Holiday Voicemail Greetings
Seasonal greetings with clear return dates.
Christmas/New Year:
"Happy holidays from [Company Name]. Our office is closed from December 24th through January 2nd. Please leave a message and we'll call you back when we return on January 3rd. For emergencies, email [email]."
Thanksgiving:
"Thanks for calling [Company Name]. We're closed for Thanksgiving from [Date] through [Date]. Leave a message and we'll get back to you when we return. Have a great holiday."
General Holiday:
"You've reached [Company Name]. We're closed today for [Holiday Name] and will reopen on [Date]. Leave your name and number and we'll return your call when we're back. Happy [Holiday]."
Mobile and Personal Voicemail Greetings
Casual greetings for personal phones — no company name needed.
Casual and Friendly:
"Hey, it's [Your Name]. I missed your call — leave me a message or send a text and I'll get back to you."
Screening Calls:
"Hi, you've reached [Your Name]. If I didn't pick up, I'm either busy or don't recognize your number. Leave a message and I'll call you back if I know what it's about."
College Student:
"Hey, this is [Your Name]. Leave a message or just text me — I'll probably see that faster."
Side Hustle / Freelance:
"Hi, you've reached [Your Name]. I'm not available right now but leave your name, number, and what you're looking for, and I'll get back to you today."
Bilingual:
"Hi, you've reached [Your Name]. Please leave a message in English or Spanish and I'll return your call. / Hola, ha llamado a [Your Name]. Deje un mensaje en inglés o español y le devolveré la llamada."
Customer Support Voicemail Greetings
For support lines, help desks, and service departments.
Support Queue:
"Thanks for calling [Company Name] support. All of our agents are currently helping other customers. Please leave your name, number, and a brief description of your issue, and we'll call you back within [timeframe]. You can also email us at [email] or visit [website] for live chat."
With Ticket Reference:
"You've reached [Company Name] technical support. Leave your name, phone number, and your ticket or account number if you have one. A support specialist will call you back within [timeframe]."
Callback Option:
"Thank you for calling [Company Name] customer service. We're experiencing higher than normal call volume. Leave your number and we'll call you back in the order your call was received — no need to wait on hold."
Self-Service First:
"Hi, you've reached [Company Name] support. Before leaving a message, check [website/help-center] — most common questions are answered there. If you still need help, leave your name, number, and issue details and we'll get back to you within one business day."
Industry-Specific Greetings
Tailored scripts for specific professions.
Contractor/Home Services:
"Hey, you've reached [Your Name] with [Company Name]. I'm probably on a job site right now. Leave your name, number, and a brief description of the work you need done, and I'll call you back today. For emergencies like flooding or no heat, text me at this number."
Medical/Healthcare Office:
"Thank you for calling [Practice Name]. We're unable to answer your call. If this is a medical emergency, please hang up and dial 911. For prescription refills, press 1. To schedule an appointment, press 2. For all other inquiries, leave a message and we'll return your call within one business day."
"Hi, this is [Your Name] with [Brokerage]. I'm likely showing properties right now. Leave your name, number, and the address you're calling about, and I'll get back to you within the hour. You can also text me for a faster response."
Legal Office:
"You've reached the office of [Your Name] at [Firm Name]. I'm currently in a meeting. Please leave a detailed message including your name, phone number, and the nature of your inquiry, and I'll return your call by end of business today."
Dental Practice:
"Thank you for calling [Practice Name]. We're with patients right now. To schedule or reschedule an appointment, press 1 or visit [website]. For all other questions, leave your name and number and we'll call you back before end of day."
Salon or Spa:
"Hi, thanks for calling [Business Name]. We're with clients right now. To book an appointment, visit [website] or leave your name, number, and the service you're interested in, and we'll call you back today."
Funny and Creative Voicemail Greetings
Humor works if your brand is playful. Skip these for healthcare, legal, or finance.
Light-Hearted Professional:
"Hi, you've reached [Your Name] at [Company Name]. I'm either helping another customer, grabbing coffee, or pretending I didn't hear my phone ring. Leave a message and I'll call you back soon."
Personality-Forward:
"Hello! You've reached [Name] at [Company]. I'm currently unavailable because I'm doing something more important than answering phones. Just kidding. Leave a message and I'll prove you're a priority."
Self-Deprecating:
"You've reached [Your Name]. I'm currently away from my phone, which is ironic since you've clearly found it. Leave a message with your name and number, and I'll call you back when I locate mine."
The Overachiever:
"Hey, it's [Your Name]. I'm either closing a deal, on a call, or reorganizing my desk for the third time today. Leave a message and I'll get back to you between tasks."
Robot Parody:
"Greetings, human. You have reached [Your Name] at [Company]. The human is temporarily unavailable. Please state your name, contact frequency, and purpose of communication after the tone. Your message will be relayed to the human unit."
How to Record Your Voicemail Greeting
A great script poorly recorded still sounds bad. Quick tips:
Find a quiet space. Background noise kills credibility — traffic, coworkers, HVAC hum. Close the door.
Write your script first. Don't wing it. Having words in front of you prevents rambling.
Smile while recording. Changes your vocal tone. Callers hear the difference.
Speak slowly and clearly. Especially your name and callback timeframe.
Record 3-4 takes. Your first attempt won't be your best. Listen back and pick the most natural one.
Test on multiple devices. Play it on your phone speaker, laptop, and headphones.
AI Voice Options
Don't want to record yourself? AI voice tools like ElevenLabs, FineVoice, and Typecast can convert scripts into realistic audio. Best for automated after-hours systems or multi-option menus. For personal voicemail, most callers still prefer your actual voice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a professional voicemail greeting be?
10-30 seconds. Include your name, company, expected callback timeframe, and alternative contact for urgent matters. Most phone systems cut off after 30-60 seconds anyway.
What should I avoid saying in my voicemail greeting?
Avoid these:
- "I'll call you back at my earliest convenience" (sounds dismissive)
- Long explanations of why you can't answer
- Outdated information (old hours, past promotions)
- Complex menu options for a personal voicemail
- "Your call is very important to us" (nobody believes this anymore)
Should I use an AI voice for my voicemail greeting?
AI voices work for large company automated systems, after-hours greetings, and multi-language options. For personal or small business voicemail, record your own voice — it builds trust.
How often should I update my voicemail greeting?
Update before and after vacations, holiday closures, new business hours, and job changes. Review quarterly at minimum. An outdated greeting makes your business look neglected.
Why do callers hang up instead of leaving voicemails?
85% of callers won't call back if their call goes unanswered. They want immediate help, assume you won't call back promptly, and calling a competitor takes seconds. This is why live answering — human or AI — converts better than voicemail. Learn more about the cost of missed calls.
Can I have different voicemail greetings for different situations?
Yes. Most phone systems let you set multiple greetings — standard (business hours), after-hours (evenings/weekends), vacation (extended absences), and holiday (specific closure dates). Rotating between them sets accurate expectations.
What is a good voicemail greeting for a cell phone?
Keep it casual and short. Something like: "Hey, it's [Your Name]. Leave a message or text me and I'll get back to you." No need for company name or business hours on a personal phone.
How do I set up a voicemail greeting?
On iPhone: call your voicemail (hold 1), tap Greeting > Custom > Record. On Android: open Phone app > Voicemail > Settings > Greeting. For business phones, check your provider's admin panel — most let you upload a recorded audio file directly.
What should a business voicemail say?
At minimum: your name, company name, reason you can't answer, when you'll call back, and an alternative contact for urgent matters. See the professional business greetings section above for ready-to-use scripts.
Beyond Voicemail
The scripts above will help you make a strong impression when you can't answer. But the reality is that most callers who hit voicemail won't leave a message — they'll call the next business on their list.
If missed calls are costing you leads, an AI receptionist answers every call 24/7 for a fraction of the cost of one lost job. Learn more about AI receptionists for small business or compare answering services vs voicemail.