The Best Way to Start Phone Conversations
Learn the best way to start phone calls with family, friends and colleagues.
We shouldn’t assume that family, friends and colleagues are available to talk just because they answer the phone. We also shouldn’t assume they’ll be focused on the call just because they answered.
Instead, we should assume they could be anywhere on the planet and doing just about anything when we call without notice. That’s why it’s important to start phone conversations correctly.
In this post, I’m going to share the best way to start phone conversations.
Confirm the Called Party is Available to Talk
The best way to start phone conversations with family, friends and colleagues is to confirm they’re available to talk and can focus on the call.
❌ Hey Joe, what’d you think of that last episode?
✔️ Hey Joe. Are you busy?
After the called party answers, start the call with a short greeting and say who you are (if the called party won’t remember your name or caller ID isn’t available), then confirm the called party is available to talk and can focus on the call.
Are you busy? (Casual)
Can you talk? (Informal)
Is now a good time? (Formal)
Granting this courtesy at the beginning of phone conversations exhibits immediate respect for the called party and sets expectations for the phone call.
The casual, informal and formal examples below illustrate how to confirm a called party is available and unavailable to talk. In some examples the called party is available, but since they’re unfocused on the call, the caller insists on calling back.
Available to Talk
🔵 Hello.
🔴 Hey Joe. Are you busy?
🔵 Not at all. How ya doin’?
🔵 What’s up?
🔴 Hey dad. Are you at home?
🔵 I’m making dinner. What’s goin’ on?
🔵 Hello.
🔴 Hi Keith. This is Tim Sanders. Do you have a few minutes to talk about the blueprints you sent yesterday?
🔵 Sure. What’d you think?
🔵 Hi Wendy.
🔴 Are you still at work?
🔵 I’m finishing my presentation for tomorrow.
🔴 Do you want me to call back later?
🔵 That’s ok. I’m ready for a break. What’s up?
Unavailable to Talk
🔵 Hello?
🔴 Hi Ray. This is Tomohiro Sato. I’m returning your call. Is now a good time?
🔵 I’m actually on my way out the door. Can I call you back in about an hour?
🔴 Of course.
🔵 Thanks, Tomohiro. Talk to you then. Goodbye.
🔴 Goodbye.
🔵 Hello.
🔴 Hey Paul. Can you talk now?
🔵 [loud music playing in the background] What’d you say?
🔴 Can you talk?
🔵 [speaking above the music] I’m at a concert. What’d you say?
🔴 I’ll call you tomorrow.
🔵 [shouting] Tomorrow?
🔴 I’ll call you tomorrow. Have fun. Bye.
🔵 Hello.
🔴 Hey Kevin. Is now a good time?
🔵 Yeah. I’m just taking the kids to the beach. [talking to his son] Quit teasing your sister!
🔴 So, did you hear about —
🔵 [talking to his daughter] Stop throwing things at your brother!
🔴 You sound busy. I’ll call you later. When’s good for you?
🔵 After 3:00.
🔴 Ok. I’ll talk later. Bye.
🔵 Bye.
🔵 [breathing heavily] Hello.
🔴 Hi, Sam. Did I catch you at a bad time?
🔵 I’m on the treadmill.
🔴 Real quick — when’s Rebecca’s birthday?
🔵 [breathing heavily] July 8th.
🔴 Thanks! Have a good run! Talk to you later.
🔵 Bye.
Final Thoughts
You just learned the best way to start phone conversations. By confirming the called party is available to talk and can focus on the call, you exhibit respect for the called party and set expectations for the call. Try it the next time you call family, friends and colleagues.
