Guide
How to Write a Business Phone Greeting (With Examples)
Simple rules and fill-in-the-blank examples for a professional business phone greeting, for daytime, after hours and busy times.
Quick answer (What should a business phone greeting say?)
A good greeting says who you are, sets expectations and gets to the caller’s need fast.
The formula
- Business name
- Who’s answering (or that it’s your assistant)
- A short question that moves the call forward
Examples
- “Thanks for calling [Business]. How can I help you today?”
- “Thanks for calling [Business]. Are you calling about a new project or an existing one?”
- After hours: “Thanks for calling [Business]. We’re closed right now, but I can take your details and have someone call you back first thing.”
Tips
- Keep it under 10 seconds.
- Skip long menus.
- Say your name the way you want customers to remember it.
With an AI receptionist
Your greeting is built from your website. Listen to a test call, and if it isn’t how you’d say it, tap the line and coach it.
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FAQ
How long should a greeting be?
Short. Aim for under 10 seconds.
Should I list hours in the greeting?
Only if callers ask often. Otherwise, get to their need.
Can I change my AI receptionist’s greeting?
Yes, any time.
Can I use different greetings after hours?
Yes, write the script for the calls it answers.
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