• Answering machines record incoming messages and help you screen calls.telephone image by musk from Fotolia.com
  
  Although the prominence of cellular phones has made home answering machines less necessary for some people, many still use the devices to screen calls and record callers' messages when they are out somewhere and can't get to the phone. Various types of answering machines on the market can perform a variety of tasks. Consider some ideas that will make your answering machine serve you, your family or business well, and entertain or inform your callers.
  
  

Setup Ideas

• Answering machines can be set up in a variety of ways. The typical answering machine for home use is a plug-in unit, normally connected directly to your phone line, that answers after a pre-set number of rings and records incoming messages digitally or on a tape.
  
  That is not the only option you have, though. You can set up your computer to take calls. Many modern computers and software applications can receive calls from your phone line and record messages directly to your computer's hard drive. If you have DSL, you can be online while the computer fields your calls and takes messages for you. If you have had to stay in the dial-up Internet world, you'll have to disable call waiting to use the line for Internet purposes without having your session interrupted by calls. But your answering program still can take the calls you'd otherwise miss.
  
  

Message Ideas

• Depending on what line you have your answering machine hooked up to answer, there could be differences in the way you'll want the machine to answer calls. The greeting should be appropriate for the nature of the likely calls.
  
  If you are recording a greeting for your business, make the message productive. Don't settle for, "You have reached Company X. We're not available. Leave your name and number and we'll call you back." This may be enough to get the minimal information you want, but if you use the opportunity to get a message to a very captive audience, you may win a new customer. Try describing what you do, and include a call to action. Record a message like, "Thank you for calling Company X. We're here to provide you with the best in [your service]. Leave your name, number and a detailed message, and we will return your call as soon as possible."
  
  Use the greeting as an opportunity to spread the word about your business. "Visit our website at [company URL] to get more information on the area's best [your service], and we'll be in touch very shortly."
  
  On the other hand, if you are recording a greeting at home, you may want to lighten the mood for friends and family who call. Try recording a funny message that shows your personality. The Fallout Software website suggests humorous messages such as, "Hi. I am probably home; I'm just avoiding someone I don't like. Leave me a message, and if I don't call back, it's you."
  
  Answering machine greetings are a limitless opportunity for creativity. If you can't strike quite the right note, numerous websites offer ideas to get you started.
  
  

Family Voicemail

• You may choose to avoid a physical answering machine altogether. You can contact your phone service provider and set up a family voice mail plan that automatically answers calls for you after a set number of rings. Mailboxes can be customized so that callers can select with the press of a button which family member they wish to leave a message for. Then each family member can create a greeting for his or her own mailbox.