What should I text back after a missed call?
Name your business, say you missed them, give one thing to do, in two or three sentences, within a minute of the call. Copy the first one below and send it, or have a ReadyToTalk number send it for you; fourteen more by trade follow.
ReadyToTalk: $19.99/month for life for the first 50 founding customers, . Every rate is on the pricing page. Hear it answer your own phone: try it free, no credit card.
Any business
Hi, this is [Business Name]. Sorry we missed your call. Text us what you need and we'll reply within 15 minutes.
Set this up with ReadyToTalk to send it to the callers you miss, at the founding price of $19.99 a month plus .
15 Missed Call Text Back Templates by Industry
Any businessMedical & dentalHome servicesRestaurantsLaw firmsSalons & spasReal estate
Any business
Book instead of waiting
Hi, this is [Business Name]. Sorry we missed your call. Book a time here: [link], or text us your question and we'll reply shortly.
Set this up with ReadyToTalk to send it to the callers you miss, at the founding price of $19.99 a month plus .
Closed right now
Thanks for calling [Business Name]. We're closed until [hours]. Text us what you need and we'll reply first thing.
Set this up with ReadyToTalk to send it to the callers you miss, at the founding price of $19.99 a month plus .
Nearly half of the calls ReadyToTalk answers come outside weekday 9 to 5 (48% of 4,536 calls, August to October 2026). That is when the closed-right-now text does its work.
Medical and dental
Medical office
Thank you for calling [Business Name]. We're with patients and couldn't pick up. For appointments, book at [link]. For an urgent medical concern, call 911. We'll return your call within one business hour.
Set this up with ReadyToTalk to send it to the callers you miss, at the founding price of $19.99 a month plus .
Dental office
Hi from [Business Name]. Sorry we missed your call; our team is with patients. To book a cleaning or checkup: [link]. For a dental emergency, text URGENT and we'll call you back first.
Set this up with ReadyToTalk to send it to the callers you miss, at the founding price of $19.99 a month plus .
Home services
Plumber, HVAC, electrician
This is [Business Name]. We're on a job and couldn't grab the phone. Text us what you need and your address and we'll get you a quote today. For an emergency, reply EMERGENCY.
Set this up with ReadyToTalk to send it to the callers you miss, at the founding price of $19.99 a month plus .
Cleaning, landscaping
Hi, this is [Business Name]. We're out on a job but want to help. Text us what you need and we'll send a free estimate today.
Set this up with ReadyToTalk to send it to the callers you miss, at the founding price of $19.99 a month plus .
Restaurants
Reservation
Thanks for calling [Business Name]. We're serving guests right now. To reserve, visit [link] or text us your date, time and party size and we'll confirm within 30 minutes.
Set this up with ReadyToTalk to send it to the callers you miss, at the founding price of $19.99 a month plus .
Takeout and delivery
[Business Name] here. Sorry we missed your call. Our menu is at [link]; text us your order and we'll have it ready for pickup. The kitchen is open until [hours].
Set this up with ReadyToTalk to send it to the callers you miss, at the founding price of $19.99 a month plus .
Law firms
General practice
Thank you for contacting [Business Name]. We're unavailable right now. Text us a brief description of your matter and an attorney will return your call within two business hours.
Set this up with ReadyToTalk to send it to the callers you miss, at the founding price of $19.99 a month plus .
Personal injury
This is [Business Name]. We missed your call but we're here to help. If you've been injured, text us what happened and the best time to call you. Case evaluations are free.
Set this up with ReadyToTalk to send it to the callers you miss, at the founding price of $19.99 a month plus .
Salons and spas
Hair salon
Thanks for calling [Business Name]. We're with a client right now. To book a cut, color or style: [link]. Or text us what you'd like and we'll find you a time.
Set this up with ReadyToTalk to send it to the callers you miss, at the founding price of $19.99 a month plus .
Spa and wellness
Hi from [Business Name]. Sorry we missed your call. To book a massage, facial or treatment, visit [link] or text us and we'll get you scheduled.
Set this up with ReadyToTalk to send it to the callers you miss, at the founding price of $19.99 a month plus .
Real estate
Buyer's agent
Hi, this is [Agent Name] with [Business Name]. Sorry I missed your call; I'm likely at a showing. Text me the property address or what you're looking for and I'll get back to you within 30 minutes.
Set this up with ReadyToTalk to send it to the callers you miss, at the founding price of $19.99 a month plus .
Listing agent
Thanks for calling about one of my listings. I'm [Agent Name] with [Business Name]. Text me the address you're interested in and I'll send details and set up a showing.
Set this up with ReadyToTalk to send it to the callers you miss, at the founding price of $19.99 a month plus .
Have a number send it for you
A ReadyToTalk number can send any of these itself. Forward your business line to it; every call you do not pick up gets the text, a voicemail is taken and sent to you as text, and you are told who called. No AI unless you add it. Set up in under a minute, then dial your carrier's forwarding code. $19.99/month for life for the first 50 founding customers, pay per use.
How to Set Up Missed Call Text Back
- Your phone's own settings (free, by hand). iPhone's Respond with Text and Android's quick responses send a canned text when you decline a call. They do nothing for a call that rings out while you are on a job.
- A ReadyToTalk number (automatic). Forward your line to it with your carrier's code for unanswered calls (the carrier list). A call you do not pick up gets the text above, a voicemail is taken and sent to you as text, and you are told who called. If you want the call answered instead, add the AI to the same number.
Missed Call Text Back Best Practices
- Within a minute. A text that lands while the caller is still holding the phone reads as almost answering. Later, they are on the next listing.
- Two or three sentences. Business name, missed your call, one next step. Nothing a thumb has to scroll.
- Your business name first. The caller may have rung three places. Without the name, the text is spam.
- A time you can keep. “Within 15 minutes” beats “as soon as possible”, and only if you do it.
Keep a record of the calls you answered and the ones you missed: the free call log template.
If callers should press a key first, the phone menu script generator writes the menu in your words.
What Is Missed Call Text Back?
A text sent to a caller you did not answer, within seconds of the missed call, so they hear from you before they dial the next business. Sent by hand it is one of the templates above, copied and sent from your phone. Sent automatically it is a business number that notices the unanswered call and texts for you.
Either way the text says the same three things: who you are, that you missed them, and what to do next. The rest of the conversation happens by text or on the call back.
Missed Call Email Template
When you also have the caller's email (from a voicemail, a form, or their reply to your text), a short email gives them something to come back to: a price, a booking link, an answer. Send it with the text, not instead of it.
Follow-up
Subject: Sorry we missed your call — [Business Name] Hi [First Name], Thanks for calling [Business Name] earlier; sorry we couldn't pick up. If you're looking for [service], reply to this email or book a time here: [link]. You can also call us back at [phone] and someone will be ready for you. [Your Name] [Business Name]
Set this up with ReadyToTalk to send it to the callers you miss, at the founding price of $19.99 a month plus .
Quote request
Subject: Your quote from [Business Name] Hi [First Name], We missed your call about [service] and wanted to reach you right away. We'd be glad to put together a free quote. Reply with [address, timing, scope] and we'll send your estimate within [timeframe]. Prefer to talk? Book a call back here: [link]. [Your Name] [Business Name]
Set this up with ReadyToTalk to send it to the callers you miss, at the founding price of $19.99 a month plus .
Frequently Asked Questions
A number that texts back for you
ReadyToTalk is the AI front office for small business — it answers every call on its own and gets smarter with every one, so you never lose a customer to a missed call.
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