I try to keep it short. Lately I've noticed that I've gotten a bit long winded. I wonder what brought that on. 

Swift and to the point. 

1 state purpose of call. (subject scrambles for paper and pen)

2. describe how to do what needs to be done.

3. repeat purpose

4. Give call to action. (subject writes down phone number)

If, however, the subject is a babbler, bumbler and off topic time hog, have some fun and use every minute available with unsignaled left and right turns until they register a complaint. Now you have their attention.

Good morning Paul. If I have to leave a long message, I would rather wait until I can reach the person. The shorter the better for me.

Short, concise and succinct.

Paul S. Henderson, Realtor, Tacoma Washington most of the time, it's specific and not so long messages. However, if situation demands, long and detailed messages.

I tend to ramble a bit.

We have to be precise, to get everything said before it cuts you off.

Paul - I try to keep it short, but sometimes it takes a while to explain everything I might need. I am getting better at cutting down my voicemail message times.

Short and to the point.

just like TEXT. BRIEF.

The simpler the message is the better in my opinion. Cell phones and especially messages sometimes are not clear  as to what was said. 

Short and sweet.  This is Chris my number is xxxxxxx, we would like to e-mail you a contract but all of your info is wrong on the MLS.  Must be a typo. 

I try to leave my name and number FIRST, then repeat it again at the end...I am uber annoyed when I have to listen through a 5 minute message repeatedly because the caller rushes through the phone number or name.  Drives me nuts. If I am playing phone tag with someone and I know what they want, then I may leave a longer than usual message, answering their specific questions so they do not have to call me back. 

Both!