Whether you're a tradesperson in plumbing, painting or repairs, run a nail salon or a hair salon, or drive a delivery van, a cargo truck or a taxi, there are moments when your hands are full and the phone rings.
Finding the right words for a short message can be a pain: one of those "what should I even say here?" moments. Here are some good ones to use. Simple, effective and SMS-sized:
Sorry, I'm busy right now. Drop me a message and I'll call you back.
That covers most calls. When you know what kind of day you're having, a message made for the situation gets you a more useful reply.
What are the best texts to send to a caller you missed?
The best reply to a missed call is direct: it says you got the call. Full stop. What follows is up to you: ask them to state their business, or promise to call them back as soon as you can. Big decision. Which way does it go for you?
When you want to know if it's urgent
Sorry I missed your call. If it's urgent, send me a text: I can read messages, but I can't talk right now.
Or, without the urgency:
Sorry, I can't talk right now, but I can text. Send me a message and I'll reply as soon as I can.
When you want to know what the call is about
Some days bring more calls than you can handle, and not every one needs you personally. Ask the caller to tell you what it's about, and give your attention to the ones who reply.
If you're a team:
Thank you for calling. Please text us how we can help, and we'll direct you to the right person.
If it's just you:
Thank you for your call. I am currently unavailable. If it's business, please let me know what it's about, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Or, more casually:
Hi, sorry I missed you! Let me know how I can help and I'll get back to you asap.
When you're driving
Sorry, I'm driving and can't answer. Text me what you need and I'll get back to you when I can.
When you're with a client
Thanks for calling! I'm with a client right now. Text me the day and time that suits you, and I'll confirm your booking.
When you're in a meeting
Sorry, I'm in a meeting and can't talk. Text me what it's about and I'll call you back when it's over.
When you're on a job
Sorry I missed your call. I'm on a job right now. Text me and I'll get back to you by the end of the day or early tomorrow.
When you'd rather call back at a good time
Sorry I missed your call. Let me know a good time to call you back, and I'll ring you then.
After hours
Thanks for calling. We're closed for the day and open again at 8am. Text us what you need and we'll reply first thing tomorrow.
On your day off
Thanks for calling. I'm off today. Text me what you need and I'll get back to you tomorrow morning.
When you're away
Thanks for calling. I'm away until Monday. Text me what you need and I'll get back to you when I'm back.
When you're fully booked
Thanks for calling! I'm fully booked this week, but I'm taking bookings for next week. Text me what you need and I'll send you some times.
Write it once, and let it send itself
Picking the words once saves you hunting for them whenever the phone rings. Sending the text by hand after every missed call is the part that still slips on a busy day. Auto TextBack is an Android app that does it for you: when you miss a call, it sends your chosen message to the caller as a normal SMS from your phone number, through your mobile operator. You write the message, with a 160-character counter, and change it whenever your week changes, from a working day to a day off or a holiday. A cooldown per number means a caller who rings three times in a row gets one text, and paused hours and daily and monthly limits keep it within your rules. It works without internet. Your first three replies are free; after that, you pay once through Google Play, with no subscription.
Wondering why your phone can't send it by itself? See Why Is Auto Replying to Missed Calls Such a Hassle?
Pick one and get back to work
You don't need the perfect message. A short, friendly text that says when you'll get back to the caller already tells them more than silence does. Pick the one that fits your day, and let your next missed call get an answer.
Get Auto TextBack on Google Play
Frequently asked questions
How long should a missed call text be?
160 characters or fewer, so it goes out as a single SMS. Most good missed call texts are between 80 and 150 characters: long enough to say what happens next, short enough to read at a glance.
Can I use emojis in a missed call text?
You can, but an emoji changes how the SMS is encoded, and the limit for one SMS part drops from 160 to 70 characters. A longer message is split into several parts, each charged by your operator. Plain characters keep it to one SMS.
Should I put my business name in the message?
Yes, if callers might not have your number saved. A business name tells new customers they reached the right place, and it makes the text look less like spam.
What if the caller has an emergency?
Say what they should do. Ask them to text if it's urgent, as in the first message above, or add a line such as "If it's urgent, call again" when you're able to pick up a second call.
Does each automatic text cost money?
Yes, your operator charges each reply at its usual SMS rate, because the reply is a normal SMS from your own number. A long message may be split into several SMS parts, each charged separately.