How to ask someone out on voicemail

If you don't plan your voicemail messages, you can sound flighty,disorganized, or incoherent--not the best impression to have on record. This is especially true if you are leaving a message to ask someone out on a date.

What you need is:

1. Forethought: This means plan what you are going to say and what results you want.  Don't ramble on an on as if you can't get it together. Show you have a plan. Don't repeat, "I want," "I need," "I, I, I." It sounds like the message is all about you instead of the person you are calling. Leave your call-back number in the first sentence or two. Speak it slowly. Then repeat it at the end of the call.

2. A quiet spot: Move away from shouting voices or industrial noise. It will sound confusing on the machine. Dial from a quiet spot. Don't compete with bulldozers, jackhammers, train whistles or other background noise. Find a peaceful place from which you can talk instead of shouting.

3. Brevity: Get to the point instead of talking around the subject. Voicemail is not the place to filibuster or go into lengthy discussions. 4. Keep it short. Tell who you are, what is your subject and what you want them to do.

4. Smile: It will be conveyed in your voice quality. Studies have shown that people can tell by your voice whether you are smiling or scowling.

5. At the end, give an idea of the best time they can reach you. Repeat your phone number. 

6. Smile as you say goodbye.