Setting the Best Voicemail Messages for Your Hair or Beauty Salon

In the digital age, more and more people prefer the convenience of contacting their hair or beauty salon via the Internet over making traditional phone calls. Despite this change in many people, there are still plenty of customers, particularly your older clients, who prefer a phone call. That is why it is essential to have a professional voicemail greeting, so those clients can feel taken care of even when you are busy or out of the salon. So how can you record the best salon voicemail greetings that will encourage your potential clients to contact you again?

TL;DR: Quick Summary on Setting the Best Voicemail Messages for Your Salon

• Necessity: Despite the rise of digital contact (online booking), many customers, especially older clients, still prefer traditional phone calls. A professional voicemail greeting is essential to reassure clients and ensure they feel taken care of, even when the salon is busy or closed.
• Two Types of Voicemails: It's recommended to prepare two separate greetings: one for when the stylist/salon is busy and unable to answer, and one for after-hours (closed).
• Rules for Both Voicemails (General Guidance):
  • Introduction: Always start with your full name and the official name of the salon, including the location if multiple branches exist.
  • Tone & Clarity: The message must be polite, friendly, upbeat, and easily understood. Avoid excess background noise and articulate clearly, especially for older clients.
  • Efficiency: Keep the recording short and simple, limiting information to the most important details to respect the customer's time.
  • Callback Promise: Invite customers to leave a message and commit to a realistic callback time frame.
  • Alternative Contact: Offer online booking as an alternate, convenient contact method (fast, 24/7).
• Rules for After-Hours Voicemails (Closed):
  • Hours Upfront: Clearly mention standard business hours of operation right after stating the salon is closed.
  • Stay Updated: Always update the message for emergencies, holidays, or temporary changes, and mention when the salon will reopen.

Rules to follow when setting a voicemail

It is a nice idea to prepare two different phone greetings, one for when you are unable to answer the phone and one for the times your salon is closed. Remember, using a script when writing your salon voicemail can help you feel confident in your message.

When setting voicemail for a busy day, remember to:

• Always begin with an introduction. Start with your full name followed by the official name of your salon. This assures your customers that they have dialed the right number and feel welcome. If you have more than one salon, specify which one they reached (“It is Day Spa Dahlia on Green Lane, 17”). Introducing yourself is important because it builds trust and implies that someone takes responsibility for the voicemail.
• Make your voicemail both polite and friendly. Good wording is essential but is not the only thing that matters. Write down your message and rehearse it a few times. Listen to how your voice sounds on the recording. That way you will be able to notice not only any poor wording choices but also whether your tone sounds upbeat enough to represent your beauty business.
• Keep the recording short and simple. Respect your customer’s time by sharing the most important information efficiently in your hair salon voicemail message. Avoid putting too much information in your greeting and limit yourself to the most important details.
• Make sure the recording is easy to understand. Out of all your clients, the older ones are most likely to make an appointment by phone - that is why you have to be especially well-articulated when recording your message. There is nothing worse than a voicemail greeting that is unintelligible - avoid excess background noise as well.
• Offer alternate contact methods. As mentioned earlier, online booking is extremely convenient - it is fast, available anywhere, anytime, and does not require any human resources…plus it’s an introvert’s dream! If your salon provides this form of contact, contain that information in your voicemail. If not - consider obtaining an online booking system as soon as possible. Booksy hair & beauty salon software provides you with this intuitive option, be sure to check it out!
• Invite your customers to leave a message if they expect a return call. Develop self-discipline and always contact those clients who decide to leave you a message. If you want to include a time frame within which you promise to call back, be realistic. Do not make promises you may not be able to keep.

When setting a voicemail for after-hours phone greetings, remember also to:

• Mention opening hours upfront. After informing your calling customer that currently nobody is home, the most important thing they probably want to know is your standard business hours. Be clear and remember to update your recordings whenever they change.
• Keep your voicemail up to date. If you are dealing with an emergency situation, closing your salon for a holiday, or changing your opening hours for some reason, update your message to avoid unnecessary confusion. If possible, mention when your salon will be back in business.

Best business voicemail greeting samples

Here you can find some examples of voicemails for both busy days and after hours. Treat them as your professional voicemail greeting script and customize them according to your needs and desires.

Busy days

Hello, you have reached Nancy Cooper of Day Spa Dahlia on Green Lane, 17. I am sorry but I am not able to answer your call right now. Please, leave your name, number, and a short message at the tone and I will make sure to forward your message to the appropriate person. If you prefer to book online, visit us at www.dayspadahlia.com.

Hi, this is Lily Waters of Day Spa Dahlia on Green Lane, 17. I am on the phone right now and I am unable to take your call. This is the end of the year, so we have plenty of incoming calls. Thank you for your patience! Please, leave your message and contact info and I will make sure to call back as soon as possible. If you prefer to book online, visit us at www.dayspadahlia.com.

After hours

You have reached Daisy Parker of Day Spa Dahlia on Green Lane, 17. We are currently closed. Our normal hours of operation are from Monday to Saturday, from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. We are closed on Sundays. Please, leave us a message with your name and number and we will call you back when the salon reopens. If you prefer to book online, visit us at www.dayspadahlia.com. Thank you for calling!

Hello! You have reached the voicemail box of Day Spa Dahlia on Green Lane, 17. We are currently on vacation leave and unable to take your call. Our salon reopens on Monday, January 3rd. Our standard hours of operations are from Monday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please, leave us a message and we will return your call as soon as possible. If you prefer to book online, visit us at www.dayspadahlia.com. Thank you for calling!

A well-devised voicemail message for your salon is ideal for keeping clients informed on your hours of operation, and how to book a visit with you. This, along with a versatile online booking system, will ensure new bookings will come, even if you are not always available to pick up the phone. 

Do not wait any longer - record your short voicemail greeting for your salon or spa and try Booksy software today!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Salon Voicemail Messages

Why is having a professional voicemail greeting still important for a salon in the digital age?

A professional greeting is essential because many customers, particularly older clients, still prefer contacting the salon via phone. The voicemail ensures these clients feel welcomed and taken care of, even when staff are unavailable.

What two types of voicemail greetings should a salon prepare?

A salon should prepare one greeting for when they are busy or unable to answer the phone during business hours, and a separate greeting for after-hours when the salon is officially closed.

What is the crucial information that must be included at the beginning of every voicemail greeting?

Every message must begin with an introduction of the stylist's full name and the official name of the salon (and location, if applicable). This confirms the customer has dialed the correct number and builds trust.

Why is it important to offer an alternative contact method in the voicemail?

Online booking is extremely convenient (fast, 24/7) and appeals to many clients. Offering it ensures the salon can capture new bookings even when unable to answer the phone, preventing lost business.

What should be included first in the voicemail when the salon is closed (after-hours greeting)?

After confirming the salon is closed, the most important information to mention upfront is the standard business hours of operation. This informs the customer when they can reach someone.

How can a salon ensure its voicemail greeting sounds professional and friendly?

The salon should write a script, rehearse it, and listen to the recording to check for clarity, poor wording, and ensure the tone is upbeat and friendly. The message should also be articulate and free of background noise.

How long should a salon voicemail recording be?

The recording should be short and simple. Stylists should respect the customer's time by sharing only the most important information efficiently and avoiding too many unnecessary details.