I am revising my popular "Small Talk Success Tips" booklet to make it smaller and more concise. I have a few hundred of my original 2004 booklets remaining and will sell them while supplies last for $2 each in 2 booklet packets, plus $1 postage. Therefore, 2 booklets (formerly $7 each) for $5 postpaid in the USA. These booklets contain the same information as my revised version.

To purchase, go to www.conversationmatters.com and click on "Conversation Tools" page.

Many suggestions flooded in. Among the best were these:

For business situations, these from Carl

"Thanks for shopping with us"

or "Thanks for your business".

From Paul: "Be well."

From Katherine:

"Thank you. Good-bye." (Simple, kind, respectful.)

From Dr. Nate Booth and others: "Keep smiling."

From readers who changed only one word: "Have a great day."

Still others offered this: "Make it a great day."

From Laura Kennedy, who emphasized that your feeling must be genuine,

"I hope you have a wonderful day!"

"Have a terrific weekend!"

"I hope you have a relaxing day off."

"Have a great evening!"

Several persons made a point about adapting whatever you say to the particular person and occasion/situation, suggesting that one size does not fit all. I certainly agree. One additional way to do this is to add the person's name and a detail, as in, "Bert, I hope you have a really great vacation at the cottage in Michigan."

Many thanks to all of you who submitted suggestions!

"Anyone who thinks the art of conversation is dead ought to tell a child to go to bed."

~Robert Gallagher

"What has become clearer to yousince last we met?"

(Check your answer at the end of today's article.)

A snail was mugged by two turtles. When the police asked what happened, he said, "I don't know. It all happened so fast."

i-NEK-suh-ruh-bul

not to be moved, or stopped: relentless

Example

"Napoleon's army moved with inexorable force across Europe."

frenemy

Meaning: one who pretends to be a friend but is actually an enemy

First time in print: 1977

Frenemy is among over 100 new words added by Merriam-Webster, Inc.

by Susan Berkley

Most voicemail messages do not get returned because people are overwhelmed. To get a response, your message must be so compelling that it wins out over all the other things vying for your recipient's attention.

To leave messages that get returned (and get results!) try to avoid the three most common mistakes. Here's the three most common mistakes, and how to fix them:

Problem:

The Rambler. When leaving messages, you cover every conceivable detail. You leave nothing out. You repeat yourself several times just to make sure. If you get cut off, you call back and leave your message again in case something got lost.

The Solution:

Keep messages brief and to the point. Aim for 30 seconds or less. Organize your thoughts before speaking by making notes. Voicemail should only be used to ask specific questions or relay timely information. If you've got a lot to say, save it for email or a letter.

Problem:

Are you the Auctioneer? When leaving messages, you talk fast and drink coffee. You never know when one of these voicemail things is going to cut you off. Time is money. You keep it moving, especially when leaving your name and number.

The Solution:

Listen back to your messages before sending. If they are too fast, re-record. Spell your name and speak your number slowly. And for heaven's sake, cut back on the caffeine!

The Problem:

Are you the riddler? When leaving messages do you keep 'em guessing? Your name? Who needs it. They should recognize your voice. Your area code? Doesn't everybody live in (212)? Your message? Uh, what message?

The Solution:

Leave your name and number twice, once at the beginning and once at the end of the message. Think before you speak. A sloppy message reflects poorly on you and your company. Take the time to re-record voicemail messages that are less than effective.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

From the Voice Coach Newsletter by Susan Berkley. Reprinted with permission. Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Susan Berkley is the author of "Speak to Influence: How to Unlock the Hidden Power of Your Voice." Available from your favorite bookseller. For a free subscription to the Voice Coach newsletter visit www.speaktoinfluence.com

Famous Quotations: Who said this?

"What has become clearer to you since last we met?"

Answer: Ralph Waldo Emerson

Loren Ekroth ©2009, all rights reserved

Loren Ekroth, Ph.D. is a specialist in human communication and a national expert on conversation for business and social life.