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I admit it - I still leave voicemails.  However, I have found myself hanging up on voicemails more and more lately.  I don’t do this because what I have to say is unimportant…just the opposite usually.  I have information that is too urgent to drop it into someone’s voicemail box.

Voicemail Monster

So, instead of trying to call again and again or simply giving up on the first try, I hang up on the automated voicemail and  immediately employ any number of OTHER communication vehicles to reach my target.  These could include cell phones or text messages; emails or twitter!

One more thing about voicemail… It’s been around for a LONG TIME folks.   You don’t need to be all polite and thank me for calling.  You definitely don’t need to tell me to leave my name and number after the freaking Beep, and I assume that you will call me back at “your earliest convenience” - so scrap that line too.  If you actually want me to leave you a message, just say “This is [insert name here]  please leave a message”.  Done.

I decided to do a little experiment on myself recently.  I counted how many different ways someone can get in touch with me.  Depending on how well you know me, there are a huge number of ways to reach me, should you get the dreaded voicemail.

1. My physical office (you could stop by)
2. Direct Office phone
3. The InnoGage 1-800 number
4. Home phone
5. Cell phone
6. Google Voice Number
7. Fax
8. Text message
9. AOL IM
10. Facebook IM
11. Facebook message
12. Twitter @me
13. Twitter DM (which also sends me an SMS on my phone)
14. InnoGage Email Account
15. Gmail Account
16. Yahoo Email Account (yes, I have one…had it since 1994…can’t give it up)
17. GoogleTalk
18. Foursquare
19. LinkedIn
20. Skype call
21. Skype IM
22. Comment on the InnoGage blog
23. ‘Contact’ form on the InnoGage website
24. Message via YouTube Channel
25. Message via Vimeo Channel
26. Message via Flickr Channel
27. Message via SlideShare account
28. Message via my Delicious account
29. GoogleWave
30. GoogleBuzz

So, drop me a voicemail if you must, but if you really need to reach me…you know how to find me!!

Tagged as: Blogging, Blogs, communication, Delicious, Facebook, Flickr, google, LinkedIn, skype, Social Media, Twitter, voicemail, YouTube

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