Phone greeting scripts - ready-to-use examples (IVR)

Looking for a ready-made phone greeting script? Below you will find proven templates you can copy: main greetings, IVR menus, after-hours messages, holiday versions, call-recording notices and voicemail scripts. The templates are based on thousands of phone announcements we have recorded for businesses since 2001.

Before you copy: 3 rules of a good script

1. Keep it short. The main greeting should last 8-10 seconds at most (about 20-25 words). Callers want to get things done, not listen to your company story.

2. Most-used options first. In an IVR menu, the option most callers need should be under key 1.

3. One message per announcement. Opening hours belong in the after-hours message, promotions in the on-hold message. Not everything at once.

Main greeting - universal templates

Hello, you have reached [company name]. Please choose a topic from the menu or hold the line to speak to our team.

Welcome to [company name]. All our lines are currently busy. Please stay on the line - we will answer your call as soon as possible.

Industry-specific greetings

Clinic or medical practice

Hello, you have reached [clinic name]. To book or cancel an appointment, press 1. For test results, press 2. For all other matters, please hold for reception.

Law firm or accounting office

Hello, this is [firm name]. For urgent matters, please e-mail us at the address listed on our website. To reach the front desk, please hold the line.

Online store

Hello, this is [store name]. For order status, press 1. For returns and complaints, press 2. To talk to customer service, press 3.

IVR menu - structure examples

For sales, press 1. For technical support, press 2. For reception, press 3 or hold the line to speak to an operator.

Please choose a topic: 1 - offers and orders, 2 - invoices and payments, 3 - technical support, 4 - other matters. To hear the menu again, press star.

After hours

Thank you for calling [company name]. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Please call back during office hours or leave a message after the tone.

Holiday and vacation versions

Thank you for calling [company name]. Our office is closed from [date] to [date]. We wish you happy holidays and look forward to speaking with you after the break.

On-hold message

All our agents are currently busy. Your call is important to us - please stay on the line.

Call recording notice

Please note that calls may be recorded for quality and training purposes. By staying on the line you consent to the recording. The data controller is [company name].

Voicemail

Hello, this is [name] at [company name]. I cannot take your call right now. Please leave a message after the tone and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

How to record it so it sounds professional

The script is half the job - the voice is the other half. A greeting recorded on a phone or with a synthesizer instantly lowers your credibility, and this is the first contact a customer has with your company. Professional phone announcement recording by a voice talent includes files matched to your PBX system. You can listen to voice samples and pick the right voice in our voice bank.