Why I Abandoned Using Voicemail In 2016. (Updated 12/23)

Updated 12/2023: See italics for edits

Merry christmas from 2023, it appears that I abadoned using voicemail years ago, that was a win.  I should have abandoned everything that's not data based (sms, calls, voicemail, etc)

Just after Christmas 2015, I was driving from Santa Fe, NM back to Handshakin' Headquarters in Denver, Colorado.  I dialed my google voice number to check voicemails because there was nothing else I could do to be productive while driving.  It was already my lowest priority, only to be considered out of boredom.

“You have 54 new voice messages.”

About 90% of them were obsolete because we had already dealt with the issue.  Another 5% were low priority for me and ignored--I couldn’t write down anything while driving. (And honestly, who wants to write anything down. Just text me a number I can click to call, or send an email or text where it's already written down!) The remaining 5% I would have liked to have gotten to sooner, but, months later it was certainly too late.

So, what’s the next logical step after dealing with unhelpful cries left by voice to a number that ignored them for so long?  

Cut out the bullshit.  I instantly made the decision to update my personal and business line voicemail message to say the following:

“Hi, you’ve reached Matt Holmes, Founder of the Handshaking.com.  I don’t check voicemails, so please shoot me a text message or email me at [email protected] (and spelled it out). 

Before I tell you what will happen moving forward, you should know about two tools I already had working to my advantage.

1. My personal voicemail box had been full for a while.  It’s unprofessional.  Don’t do that.  However, one perk of that was that people would email me saying “Your VM was full, but I was just calling about XXXX.”  This still accomplished my goal of obtaining information in the most convenient and efficient way for me.
   Update in 2023:  People no longer email.  There are simply companies that have outdated processes and they DON'T email and it's a big savior of time for all of us.  
   
   
2. My business line is actually just a Google Voice phone number--therefore it texted me automated transcriptions. I could usually get the picture of what the message was about.  So I wasn’t 100% out of the loop with voicemail like I plan to be in 2016.
   Update in 2023:  I now rely on google voice more than my US number that is still tied to a SIM due to extensive travel. Due to traveling for the last 6 years and even picking mulitple destinations to live in for the last 3+ years, I have realized data is the one thing that ties us all together.  Phone numbers are a thing of a country, so once you start to switch that up, things can get complicated, but data and internet are sure ways to connect long term with people who gain enough wealth to visit various places outside of their home country for longer than a quick trip. So, yea, google voice is data based and an app that can stay on my primary phone. Meanwhile, my US number that 'doesnt accept voicemail' is now on like an iphone7 or super old phone that I try to check once a week, but it's probably less.  Real online businesses and owners who I do business with, and of course, my staff, can reach me in dozens of ways via data, instead of SMS or Voice.  That is soooo outdated!! 
   ​

I wish I would have abandoned voicemail sooner!


These two things had helped, but weren't enough and didn't come across to the level of professionalism I hold myself accountable to today.  

As my business grows I realize more and more that time and network are the most valuable resources. I do not want phone calls or voicemails that can be answered in literally 2 seconds via text message or email. Get straight to the point when you communicate with me, please. I'm sure a number of you out there feel the same way!

I'm working towards being a better communicator with everyone I interact with professionally and personally by setting expectations up front, even if it’s not traditional.  I encourage you to do the same so your friends, for example, don't text you when you never check your texts.  Get crazy!

Oh, I'm also big on Twitter & Quora. So get at me there.  Youtube is where i'm super active, now in 2023, too.