Why we hate our own voicemail (and how to get it right)

Myth 1: The welcome message is purely functional and can be boring

What's actually true: The first few seconds on the phone set the tone for the entire call. If a caller starts irritated, they are harder to help later. A warm, professional voice removes tension even before an employee answers. It's your company's digital handshake. A cold, mechanical voice makes callers feel like a number. A human voice brings calm.

Myth 2: You can quickly record that yourself with your smartphone in the meeting room

What's actually true: A smartphone microphone picks up every echo from concrete walls. This makes the voice sound like it's speaking from a bathtub. Professional voice actors use a soundproof studio and high-quality microphones. They also have the right breathing technique to sound calm and convincing.

Director's Tip: As a voice director, I see this daily in the studio. The best voices speak with a physical smile on their face. You can hear that smile directly in the recording. It makes the sound more open and welcoming. Our experienced Flemish voice actor, Brecht, masters this technique perfectly. He records fluently in French, English, German, and Spanish, as well as Flemish.

Myth 3: The more information in the message, the better

What's actually true: Callers have a short attention span. They want help as quickly as possible. An overloaded menu with opening hours, website addresses, and alternative email addresses is counterproductive. Limit the information to the essentials:

1. Welcome callers and clearly state your company name.
2. Inform the caller that an employee will be with them or what the waiting time is.
3. You can offer a very short and logical menu of options.

Myth 4: A computer voice sounds as warm as a real human nowadays

What's actually true: Artificial voices have improved recently. But they still lack real empathy and the correct intonation for brand names or specific Flemish place names. A real voice actor understands the nuance of your text. They adjust the pitch to match your brand identity. For example, our Flemish voice actor, Veerle, has over 25 years of experience. She knows exactly how to make a message sound natural and trustworthy, without it feeling read aloud.

Myth 5: Professional voices are unaffordable for a simple phone line

What's actually true: For telephony projects, we do not charge expensive rates like those for national radio campaigns. The price for a phone message is always custom and available on request. This makes it very accessible even for smaller SMEs. We have 93 professional voices on our platform. This includes native voices in languages like German, French, Italian, and Spanish. You will always find a voice that fits your budget and target audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which language is best for my phone menu?

In Belgium, a multilingual approach is often advisable. You can choose to use Flemish and French consecutively. Or you can let the caller select their language at the start using a key. Voice actors like Brecht can record messages in multiple languages. This ensures a consistent and professional sound.### How long should a welcome message be? Keep it short and to the point. Ideally, a good welcome message lasts no longer than 10 to 15 seconds. Then your caller is connected or reaches the menu. Longer messages mean people are more likely to hang up early.

Setting up a professional phone reception doesn't have to be complicated. Replace clunky recordings with a clear, professional voice. You immediately show callers you take them seriously. Would you like to discuss how we can voice your phone menu with the right voice? Get in touch for personalised advice tailored to your business.