Are you making maximum use of your voice mail to market your business?  If not you're missing numerous opportunities that will allow you to start relationships with prospects, get them to your Web site, and begin the client attraction process.

You've all got voice mail, right? If you're like most people, though, I bet you're using it to capture the callers' messages because you don't want to miss a call that might lead to business.

The typical message is something along the lines of "Hello, this is John Doe.  I'm sorry I can't take your call right now, but please leave your name and number and a brief message and I'll get back to you, yadda, yadda, yadda."

Some people will leave their message and contact information, others won't.  What do you do about the people who won't?  Are they a lost cause?  No, absolutely not, at least not if you use your voicemail wisely.

Your answering system is often the first time people are able to hear your voice so make sure it's warm and welcoming when you record your greeting.  Place a mirror in front of you as you record your outgoing message and be sure you are smiling through every word of it.

Be sure there is a lot of positive energy in your voice and that your message is friendly yet professional.  Most importantly, realize that your caller is a captive audience, who has already expressed interest in your business by the very fact that s/he has called.  You've got the perfect opportunity to promote something, so do it!

Here are some ideas of things you can mention (but puh-leeze do not throw everything into one message or you'll lose them forever):

Seminars and Workshops

Here's how you do it:

Let's say you're a veterinarian. After the request for name and number, you can say something like,