24 Sept 2026
4 min read
Learn how to create a clear, professional voicemail message that instantly puts callers at ease and builds trust.
A voicemail message is a recorded audio message that informs callers about an organisation's or employee's unavailability.
In the studio, I often notice that companies try to say too much at once. A caller simply wants to know immediately who they've reached and when someone will be available again. So, keep your basic message concise and to the point:
When you deliver these four building blocks calmly, you immediately offer reassurance without overloading the caller with unnecessary details.
When woodworking, you don't rush the final sanding, because every stroke remains visible. The same applies to audio. Many people record their voicemail messages between meetings, with too little breath and a rushed rhythm.
Recently, during a recording session, I was reminded how crucial that calm is. A client had recorded a short message in their office. They wondered why callers kept hanging up without leaving a message. We looked at that same text together. Simply adding two seconds of silence after the greeting and separating the phrases changed the entire dynamic. Among our pool of 140 professional voice actors, you immediately notice that calm in voices like Kirsten or Kristien. They know exactly how to give words the space they need.
The quality of the voice determines how your message is received. A caller with an urgent technical problem needs a different approach than someone contacting a creative agency.
In our database, we see clients making very specific choices. For example, Christina is often chosen in Belgium when a clear, approachable presence is needed. In the Netherlands, Machteld and Gwenny are highly valued for their warm, natural delivery. I, Johfrah, also record similar texts for Belgian companies every week. The voice should seamlessly match your organisation's identity. It should never sound like a pre-rehearsed script.
If you have professional audio recorded, you'll naturally wonder how the investment is structured. For commercial productions, we usually work with a basic fee plus a usage rights fee. Different terms apply for non-commercial use, such as a standard phone system or internal projects.
For phone applications, the fee usually depends on the total volume of text or the number of individual recordings needed.
Feel free to ask for a clear quote beforehand, based on your exact script. That way, you'll never have any doubt about the final cost.
A beautiful text loses its impact when the recording sounds like it was made in a tiled corridor. Echo, microphone distortion, or the soft hum of air conditioning immediately undermine a professional feel.In our sound studio, we use carefully tuned acoustics and microphones. They only capture pure vocal sound. Then we export the audio in the specific file formats your telephone system requires. These can be uncompressed WAV files or formats for PBX administrators. This ensures your message sounds flawless and clearly understandable on every phone line.
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Aim for your message to be between 15 and 25 seconds. Callers often lose patience after that time. They may hang up before they get a chance to leave a message.
Yes. Voices like Kristien, Gwenny, or Machteld have a fixed setup. This means we can maintain the exact same sound quality for your updates. This applies if you need to change opening hours or for holiday periods.
A written script is enough. Please include phonetic spellings for any difficult names. The voice actor and technician will then ensure correct intonation, timing, and file delivery.
Curious how a professional voice can enhance your accessibility? Please feel free to contact me. We can explore the possibilities of an experienced voice over.
Short and to the point. Click to see the answer.
Can you help me choose the right medium or a buy-out?
How do quotes work, what is a buyout, and how do I choose the right medium?
What is the difference between a business video and a radio or TV commercial through Voices?
Can you provide me with a price estimate? I can provide the word count or duration if that helps.
I'm looking for the right voice for my video, explainer, or commercial. Where should I start?
How does online learning work at Voices Academy?
You take 15 lessons with video, assignments, and practice materials at your own pace. You receive personal feedback on your submitted recordings.
Start at /academy/; practical questions are answered on this FAQ or via Academy contact.
How do I register for a Studio workshop?
Choose your workshop at /studio/, check dates and levels, and register online. After payment, you will receive practical information about the location, materials, and what to expect.
Unsure about your level? Please contact us via Studio contact.
How do I order a phone message?
Pick a voice you like for your phone system. Enter your texts. You can also use our simple text generator. Add hold music if you want. Within 3 days at most, you receive the finished audio files.
Do I need my own home studio?
A quiet space and a basic microphone are enough to get started. In the course, you'll learn what you need for broadcast-quality at home.
You can book professional recordings for clients later via Voices showcase; rates are on /tarieven/.
What is the difference between a demo recording and a workshop?
Short definitions that help you decide faster.
A Flemish voice-over is a professional recording recorded in Belgian Dutch with a recognisable Flemish accent and intonation. Producers opt for Flemish when they want a familiar, local tone for the Belgian market or are seeking an authentic Belgian character in international productions.
Flemish differs from Dutch spoken in the Netherlands in terms of vowels, intonation and word choice. Belgian advertisers almost always use Flemish voices for local adverts; international clients book a Flemish voice-over for scenes featuring Belgian characters or a subtle European accent in English-language productions.
A temporary, rough recording (often recorded by the director, editor, or the client themselves) that serves as a timing reference for the final voice actor.
The scratch track is not final audio. It is used to finalise the animation or edit before the real voice-over arrives.
Not every telephone system or medium is the same. That is why Voices.be delivers your recording in three specific formats by default:
By providing these three formats, we guarantee that your message will sound crystal clear on every device.
Peace and relaxation means consciously slowing down: fewer stimuli, gentler breathing and space to let go of tension. It forms the basis of every Ademing session on voices.be.
At Voices.be, we do not deliver "raw" recordings. Every voice recording passes through our mastering engine.
The result is audio that is immediately ready for use, whether for a small telephone exchange or a large cinema advert.
A breathing exercise helps you regulate your heart rate and stress levels using a fixed rhythm or counting pattern. Breathing is the quickest way to calm your nervous system without needing any extra equipment.
Beoordelingen van klanten die al met ons samenwerkten.
“Request submitted and they review the text again, making some adjustments where necessary. If there's any detail the client finds a bit difficult in the produced audio, they resolve it very quickly and create a new audio on the same day. Highly recommended and very professional service now. Top! I was assisted and recorded by Johfrah.”
Kevin De Nil
Listen to a selection of voice actors and find the right voice for your project.
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“Voices.be is highly recommended for voice-overs in various languages. A professional company with pleasant communication, quick responses, and overall top-notch service. Look no further.”
Anastasia Van der Maas
“If you are looking for a reliable supplier, Voices.Be is definitely a recommendation! Our experience was top-notch - fast delivery, excellent quality, and it gives our company a professional appearance.”
Jelle Kerfs
| Telephony and voicemail | from €89.00 |
| Voice-over (corporate film and web video) | from €249.00 |
| Online commercial | from €299.00 |
| Podcast pre-roll | from €299.00 |
| Radio and TV | from €249.00 |
Rates may vary per voice.
