The POINT of asynchronous communication (voicemail, email, text) is NOT to notify someone that you need something. The point is to inform someone WHAT you need, HOW they can help, WHEN you need the assistance by, and finally, HOW to get back to you with the solution.
So here’s the test: Do you leave messages like the following?
- “Hi Scott, can you call me back? My number is 123.456.7890;” or
- “Hi Scott, mmm, mmm, mmm, 456.34m.mmm. Mumble, mumble;” or
- “Hi Scott. I have a question on X. Please give me a call.”
If you answered “yes” to any of the above, then you suck.
If you leave messages like this…
“Hi Scott. This is Joe Blow from ABC Company. We have a problem with X. I was hoping that you could help us out by doing Y. If you could get back to me by end of day on Thursday, that’d be a big help. I can be reached at 123.456.7890 or by email at joe@abccompany.com. Thanks for your help.”
…then YOU ROCK.
Here endeth the lesson. Now go forth and get your shit together.
