Implement a Holiday Message Feature Code

Using a feature code is an effective method of adding a holiday message for callers to hear before their call is forwarded. 

This feature code would act as a “stop” where the holiday greeting would be played before the caller is forwarded to its final destination. 

Step 1: Create a Feature Code

To add a holiday message into a number's routing for calls being forwarded elsewhere, a feature code would need to be configured.

To set up a feature code that routes holiday calls…

1. Navigate to Features → Feature codes.
2. Click the New >> button.
3. In the Feature code settings section of the New feature code page, fill in the following information:
   

4. In the Route calls to section, use the Default Destination drop-down to select the type of destination for forwarded calls.
   
5. In the second drop-down, select or type the specific destination for forwarded calls.
   
6. Click the Save button.
   
7. Click Return to the list of feature codes >>.
   
   

   ✔ You should now see this new feature code in your list of feature codes.

   

    

Step 2: Add a Message to the Feature Code

Now that we have a feature code created that will route holiday calls where they need to go, a holiday greeting will need to be added that will play before the call is routed.

To add a holiday message to the feature code…

1. Click the created holiday message feature code.
   
2. In the Announcement message section, do one of the following:
   • Use the Sound file to use drop-down to select a saved Sound file.
     
   • Click the Choose File button to select and upload a .wav audio file from your PC.
     

     DANGER: The audio file needs to be in a .WAV file, mono channel, and 8000 Hz format to be properly read in the phone system. 

     To convert your audio file, use this handy website:

     G711.org - Telephony File Converter

     When using this website to convert the file, select the “Standard Definition” option for the Output Format. 

      

     Example Text-to-Speech Greetings for US Holidays

     If you do not have the means to record a holiday greeting, you can use any of these example holiday messages instead. 

     Click the buttons below to download and listen to these example greetings that have been created using text-to-speech. 

     Do Not Mention Leaving a Message

     If you are routing calls during the holidays to a mailbox to allow callers to leave a voicemail, it might be better to not have a holiday message ask callers to leave a message. Having both a holiday message and a mailbox's greeting mention leaving a message can cause confusion for some callers.

     If your mailbox already tells callers to leave a message, feel free to use these greetings below.

     ✔ These holiday greetings are useful for functions, such as a Holiday Auto Attendant or IVR Menu, that route callers to an answering service's phone number or a mailbox that has its own greeting.

      

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     Generic Holiday Greeting

     If you prefer the message used to not mention the name of the holiday, you can download and use this greeting:

     Example Holiday Greeting

     ✔ Using this greeting can help you avoid having to remember to switch out the holiday greeting for each holiday.

      

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     New Years

     Example New Years Greeting

     Example New Year's Eve Greeting

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     Christmas

     If you prefer your Christmas holiday message to say, “Merry Christmas”, you can download and use this greeting:

     Example Merry Christmas Greeting

     If you prefer your Christmas holiday message to say, “Happy Holidays”, you can download and use this greeting:

     Example Christmas Greeting

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     Thanksgiving

     Example Thanksgiving Greeting

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     Labor Day

     Example Labor Day Greeting

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     Memorial Day

     Example Memorial Day Greeting

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     Independence Day

     If you would like your Independence Day message to say, “4th of July”, you can download and use this greeting:

     Example 4th of July Greeting

     If you would like your Independence Day message to say, “Independence Day”, you can download and use this greeting:

     Example Independence Day Greeting

      

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     Mention Leaving a Message

     If you are using these greetings for a holiday mailbox or as a greeting for a user's mailbox, you can download and use these holiday messages. These holiday greetings below ask callers to leave a message.

     ✔ These holiday greetings are useful for holiday mailboxes. 

     If you are wanting to replace a user's mailbox greeting with a holiday message, these greetings can also be used.

      

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     Generic Holiday Greeting

     If you prefer the message used to not mention the name of the holiday, you can download and use this greeting:

     Example Holiday Greeting

     ✔ Using this greeting can help you avoid having to remember to switch out the holiday greeting for each holiday.

      

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     New Years

     Example New Years Greeting

     Example New Year's Eve Greeting

     ---

     Christmas

     If you prefer your Christmas holiday message to say, “Merry Christmas”, you can download and use this greeting:

     Example Merry Christmas Greeting

     If you prefer your Christmas holiday message to say, “Happy Holidays”, you can download and use this greeting:

     Example Christmas Greeting

     ---

     Thanksgiving

     Example Thanksgiving Greeting

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     Labor Day

     Example Labor Day Greeting

     ---

     Memorial Day

     Example Memorial Day Greeting

     ---

     Independence Day

     If you would like your Independence Day message to say, “4th of July”, you can download and use this greeting:

     Example 4th of July Greeting

     If you would like your Independence Day message to say, “Independence Day”, you can download and use this greeting:

     Example Independence Day Greeting

      

      
3. Click the Use or upload button.
   

Step 3: Set Up a Holiday Time Route

Now that the feature code has been configured to play a holiday message and route calls to their destination, the feature code will need to be added to a phone number's time route.

To set a time route to use the holiday message feature code…

1. Navigate to Features → Numbers.
2. Select the phone number being forwarded for the holidays.
3. In the Time routes section, click the name of your holiday time route.
   
4. Use the Forwards matching calls to drop-down to select Feature code.
   
5. Use the second drop-down to select the holiday message feature code.
   
6. Click the Save button.
   
   

   ✔ You should now see the feature code being routed to for the holiday time route.

   

    

Step 4: Test Your Holiday Routing

To confirm your holiday routing is implemented correctly, it is recommended to give your phone number a test call.