Do not leave a message after the beep.

Voicemail is dead. Please pass it along so we will stop using it.

Prior to text messages, emails, IM, and social networking sites going mainstream, voicemail had a purpose. It was an effective method of relaying a message if a direct telephone conversation was not possible.

But it is no longer the most efficient method available for accomplishing this task. It takes much longer to listen to a message than reading it. Most information presented orally need to be written anyway, and its simpler to transcribe from text-to-text rather than speech-to-text. It is also difficult to forward or reply to voicemails, as listening to voicemail is essentially a task in itself, and is generally not a repetitive action in our lives at the same level email and social networking sites are.

How many times have you returned someone’s call saying, “Hey, I’m returning your call, but didn’t listen to your voicemail. What’s up?”

And many people these days don’t even bother setting up their voicemail, leaving a generic message of “You have reached xxx-xxx-xxxx, please leave a message after the tone.” If that’s not the case, then the voicemail could also be full, to the point where callers cannot even leave a message, because the owner of the mailbox lacks the time or motivation to tidy their inbox.

And the worst crime of all, are committed by individuals whom leave voicemails saying, “Hey, it’s me. Call me back.” It’s a waste of minutes and a waste of productive time.

Calling people can quickly lead to games of phone tag, which become annoying quite quickly.

Voicemails also tend to be chatter heavy, but text messages have a 140 character limit, creating an efficient and direct message for the recipient.

Furthermore, an increasing amount of individuals have cell phones with data planes, allowing their phones to check for new email around the clock, providing an even easier method of communication. Text messages and emails will always be superior to phone calls, as the recipient may respond at their leisure, and there is no need to align two busy schedules for the conversation to take place.

These days, the best way of reaching a busy person is to:

• Text them
• Email them
• IM them and then possibly turn it into a webcam chat
• Schedule the call in advance through a previous conversation
• Call during off peak hours; lessening the chance they’re in class, work, etc.

Unfortunately, the reality is that voicemail needs to hang around for a few more years. Many businesses have blocked numbers, making voicemail essential for recording call back numbers and subject matter. Also, older members in our community continue to hold onto voicemail like a crutch, as it remains a tool in which they are comfortable with using.

But as the voicemail technology quickly becomes outdated with the penetration of more efficient tools, let’s think before we voicemail unless it’s necessary, the other party will thank you for your consideration.