How to leave a voicemail that gets a callback

A voicemail in five parts

Say these five things, in this order.

Your name.
Your number, said slowly.
The one reason you called.
What you need back: a time, a price, or a yes or no.
Your number again.

Fill in this template:

"Hi, this is [name]. My number is [number]. I'm calling about [one reason]. Could you call me back with [what you need]? Again, that's [number]. Thanks."

Examples

Three short examples. The names and numbers are made up.

An appointment request: "Hi, this is Alex. My number is 555-010-0142. I'd like to book a dental cleaning in the next two weeks, any weekday morning. Could you call me back with a time? Again, 555-010-0142. Thanks."
A price question: "Hi, this is Robin at 555-010-0163. What do you charge to hem two pairs of pants, and can you do it this week? Could you call me back with a price? Again, 555-010-0163."
A message for a person: "Hi Pat, it's Chris, returning your call about Saturday. 2 PM works for me. Call me back at 555-010-0177 to confirm. Again, 555-010-0177."

What to leave out

Leave out anything you wouldn't want played on a shared mailbox.

Card numbers, passwords and PINs.
Account numbers.
Health details.

If they need any of these, say you'll give them when they call back.

When nobody calls back

Try again in 1 to 2 business days, at a different time of day.

If they list an email address or a text line, use it, and keep the same five parts.

How Phone Bud handles voicemail

When no one answers, Phone Bud leaves your message and hangs up, unless you set it to hang up without leaving one.

The notes say it reached voicemail, and the transcript shows what it said. Calls come from a shared Phone Bud number that no one picks up, so a callback to it won't reach you directly. To get the callback, put your number in the message, or verify your own number in Settings and call from it.

Here's a made-up example.

Limits

Phone Bud leaves the message, but the reply has to come to you.

It can't take the callback for you.
It can't transfer a call to you.
It introduces itself as your assistant, says it's an AI if asked, and never claims to be you or a person.
It calls US and Canada numbers only.

See how Phone Bud can pass on a message or get through a phone menu, the page for calls you'd rather not make, ready-made phone call scripts, and what to say when you call in sick. All guides.

FAQ

How long should a voicemail be?

Under 30 seconds.

Should I say my number twice?

Yes. Say it once at the start and once at the end, slowly.

Can an AI leave a voicemail for me?

Yes. Phone Bud leaves your message when no one answers, and the notes tell you it did.

Where do callbacks go when Phone Bud calls?

To the number you put in the message, or to your own number if you verified it in Settings and called from it.

Can it skip the voicemail?

Yes. You can set it to hang up without leaving one.

Make your first call free Pass on a message