Perfect Pitch: Voicemail Tips That Ensure a Return Call

September 21, 2023
Sales and Service

As the world grows increasingly digitized, there’s a quaint charm to voicemails. It’s an intimate touchpoint, a brief message that you carefully craft for someone’s ears. However, leaving a voicemail can also feel like casting a message in a bottle out to sea, uncertain if it will ever reach its destination or provoke a response.

If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone. But it doesn’t have to be this way! While leaving the perfect voicemail can seem daunting, with the right strategy and persistence, it can become an effective tool in your communication arsenal. Don’t let the art of the voicemail fade into the background; harness it as a powerful tool to stand out and make meaningful connections. With the right approach, you can create voicemails that not only reach their recipients but also encourage them to return your call promptly.

Why Voicemails are Still Crucial in Your Sales Toolbox

In the age of digital communication, it may seem archaic to rely on something as simple as a voicemail. But consider this: A voicemail is more than just a message—it’s an opportunity.

Cutting Through the Digital Noise: In a world cluttered with emails, social media notifications, and instant messages, a voicemail can cut through the noise. It adds a personal touch to your sales pitch, helping you stand out in a crowded market.
Demonstrates Persistence: Leaving a thoughtful voicemail shows the recipient that you’re genuinely interested in connecting with them. It shows you’re not deterred by a missed call, highlighting your persistence—a key trait in successful salespeople.
Adds a Personal Touch: A voicemail allows you to convey tone and emotion, elements often lost in written communication. This can create a more personal connection with the recipient, increasing the chances of a returned call.
Provides a Direct Line of Communication: When an email can be easily overlooked in a crowded inbox, a voicemail sits in a less populated space. It’s a direct line to the recipient that, when used effectively, can prompt quicker responses.
Enables Follow-Up: Voicemails provide a valid reason for follow-ups. If you’ve left a voicemail, it’s entirely appropriate to send an email mentioning the voicemail, thereby reinforcing your message and showing your determination.

Pros of Leaving a Voicemail

Instead of hanging up when you hear that “Hi it’s so-and-so, I can’t come to the phone, please leave a message”, consider what a well-crafted voicemail can do to keep your prospect on the path-to-purchase with you.

Personal Connection: A well-crafted voicemail can convey warmth and sincerity in a way that texts or emails can’t match.
Direct and Concise: Voicemails allow you to deliver your message directly and succinctly, eliminating the risk of being misunderstood.
Capture Attention: A unique or interesting voicemail is more likely to grab the recipient’s attention compared to a text or an email.
Set yourself Apart: Not everyone is doing it, so your lone voicemail may be the only human connection your prospect gets that day!

What About The Con Side of Leaving Voicemails?

They’re often ignored or overlooked: Unfortunately, some people simply don’t listen to their voicemails, making it a potentially ineffective method of communication.

Your timing may be off: Voicemails don’t guarantee immediate attention. Your message could sit unattended until the recipient checks their mailbox.

Your message may not be compelling: Without visual cues or immediate feedback, your message might be misinterpreted.

Crafting Voicemails That Guarantee a Callback

While the cons are real, the good news is we can overcome them with a few smart techniques.

Be Brief and Purposeful: Long-winded voicemails often go unheard. Keep your message under 30 seconds, stating your purpose upfront. It will respect the recipient’s time and convey the urgency of your message.
Script it out: Before picking up the phone, doodle a quick script of what you want to convey in your call or voicemail. This will also help you stick to your core message and avoid rambling on once you’re instructed to “leave a message after the tone.”
Use the Recipient’s Name: Personalization fosters connection. Starting the voicemail with their name makes it feel tailored and increases the chances of a callback. Ensure you’re pronouncing it correctly (some people will leave a pronunciation of their name on their LinkedIn Profile. Not sure where this feature is? Send me a note on LinkedIn and I’ll happily point you in the right direction!)
Provide a Teaser: Give them a compelling reason to return the call. Without revealing all the details, hint at what they stand to gain from calling back. Speak to their intended outcomes, not yours!
Slow Down and Enunciate: Speak clearly and at a steady pace. Repeat your name and number to ensure they have all the information they need to return the call. (Consider using the name pronunciation feature on your own LinkedIn Profile – let me know if you need help finding the feature)
Be Professional and Positive: Maintaining a professional, upbeat tone can leave a lasting impression. It suggests that you’re someone they’d enjoy speaking with.
Time Your Call: Avoid leaving voicemails at odd hours. Calling during business hours increases the chances of your voicemail being listened to and returned promptly.

Troubleshooting Voicemail Challenges

The key to troubleshooting voicemail is adaptability. If your voicemails aren’t being returned, it might be time to switch up your approach. Test different tactics, such as tweaking your opening line, adjusting the pace of your speech, or varying the time you call. Also, ensure you follow up your voicemails with an email summarizing your message. This multi-pronged approach increases the chances of a response.

Remember, the goal of a voicemail isn’t just to get a callback—it’s to start a conversation that can lead to a beneficial relationship.

Are you using voicemails in your prospecting strategy?

If you need some honest feedback on your voicemail scripts, consider working with Leanne on your next sales training for your small hotel or destination team. Honest feedback from the meeting planner’s perspective may help you create more impact with your messaging! Reach out to Leanne to learn more!