Voice Mail Key Terms

Learn more about voice mail key concepts

Nearly every business uses voice mail as a service assistance program for their businesses or corporations. Comparable to the answering machines of residential areas, voice mail takes messages for those who are unable to come to the phone when calls get put through. Voice mail is available for business lines as well as cell phones. However, the industry has a lot of nuances available, the intricacies of which can offer additional important and beneficial opportunities. By being aware of the potential presented by voice mail, businesses have the opportunity to make the most of such services. Learning about voice mail key terms and concepts is integral to this opportunity.

 

Greeting

A user records their own outgoing message to be heard by callers that reach their voice mail box. This message is known as the greeting and typically expresses the user's appreciation for the call and a promise to return calls in a prompt manner.
Try: Voice mail greeting etiquette and additional information is provided at SIU.edu.

Forwarding features

The forwarding features of a voice mail system allow users to ensure that they miss as few calls as possible. Instead of getting sent to the voice mail box, the forwarding features of such voice mail providers forward the calls to other phones, such as cell phones, in an effort to ensure that the maximum number of customers are helped and receive live assistance.
Try: Forwarding features, as described by the company on their MessagingService.com website, are offered by voice mail providers such as Access Direct.

Mailbox

A voicemail mailbox is the aspect of a voicemail system with which most individuals are familiar. It is here that messages are left by callers and heard by users.
Try: To learn more about what a voicemail mailbox is, visit Tech-Faq.com.

Virtual hold

Virtual hold allows individuals to receive assistance in their query without having to actually remain on hold. With virtual hold features, callers are able to call in, leave information and receive a call back from an assistance specialist in the estimated amount of time they would have otherwise waited on hold for their call to be picked up. Rather than keeping the phone glued to their ear, callers are able to perform other tasks and duties until their wait time is up and they receive a call back from the individual they called.
Try: Virtual hold technology is explored in detail at VirtualHold.com.

Call processing

Call processing is an aspect of the voicemail system in which a menu of options are made available to callers. By choosing from the menu, their calls are routed to their proper and intended channels, such as a specific department or individual or another mailbox.
Try: Voice mail and call processing features are described at Illinois.edu.

Message waiting notification

Message waiting notification occurs when users of a voicemail system have a message waiting for them to listen to. The notification of waiting messages can vary, but some popular notification methods include a waiting light and a stuttering dial tone, which alerts the user to their waiting message or messages.
Try: Options for message waiting notification are explored at MIT.edu.

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