Callers often overlook leaving sales voicemails because they see them as a “waste of time; however, it plays a crucial role in reconnecting with prospects who may not have been able to talk at the time of your call.
No, prospects won’t ALWAYS call back, but when they do, it’s often because they are probably looking for a solution to their pain points. Leaving sales voicemails is better than not leaving a voicemail at all, so it’s important you take 20-25 seconds of your time to extend that branch.
Why Should Callers Leave Sales Voicemails?
Sales callers (specifically, cold callers, business development reps, and sales development reps) should leave voicemails for prospects because voicemails offer an opportunity to make a personal connection and leave a lasting impression. They provide a concise, direct message that can spark interest and prompt a callback, especially if the message highlights a unique value proposition or solution to a problem.
Voicemails also ensure that the prospect receives your message even if they are unavailable, increasing the chances of future engagement. Additionally, a well-crafted voicemail demonstrates professionalism and persistence, showing the prospect that you are committed and attentive to their needs.
Key Components of an Effective Sales Voicemail Script
For a sales voicemail to achieve its purpose, incorporating essential elements is vital for success. Every component plays a role in engaging the listener and encouraging them to take action. The core elements of a quality sales voicemail script should include the following:
1. Greeting
When beginning your voicemail, use a warm and professional tone to set the tone. Clearly introduce yourself with your full name and mention your company’s name to establish credibility. This ensures the recipient knows who you are and which organization you represent, creating an immediate sense of trust and context.
2. Reason for the Call
To grab the recipient’s attention, quickly explain the purpose of your call. If applicable, mention any referrals or shared connections to establish rapport and credibility. This helps the prospect understand the relevance of your message and encourages them to engage with you further.
3. Value Proposition
Clearly present a key benefit or unique value that your product or service provides. Tailor this to address the prospect’s specific needs or pain points, demonstrating how your solution can effectively solve their problems or improve their situation. This relevance increases their interest and engagement with your message.
4. Call to Action
Clearly outline the next step you want the prospect to take, such as calling back or scheduling a meeting. Offer multiple response options, like phone or email, to make it convenient for them.
For instance, end your message with:
“To discuss how our solutions can benefit your business, please choose a convenient option: schedule a meeting using this [link], call us at [phone number], or reply to this email with your availability. We look forward to connecting with you.”
This approach provides clear direction and multiple response options, making it easy and convenient for the prospect to take the next step.
5. Contact Information
Clearly and slowly repeat your name and phone number to ensure the prospect can easily note it down. If appropriate, provide additional contact methods such as your email address. This ensures they have multiple ways to reach you, increasing the chances of a successful follow-up and facilitating convenient communication.
6. Closing
Conclude your voicemail with a polite and professional closing, reinforcing your courteous demeanor. Express gratitude for their time and consideration, which shows respect and appreciation. This positive ending leaves a good impression and increases the likelihood that the prospect will respond favorably to your message.
Abstrakt Sales Voicemail Script Example
Hi [Prospect Name},
This is [Your Name] with Abstrakt. We specialize in helping businesses like [Prospect’s Company] generate high-quality leads and boost sales.
I’d love to discuss how we can help your business grow. Please call me back at [Your Phone Number] or email me at [Your Email Address].
Thanks, and I look forward to speaking with you!
Mastering Sales Voicemail Tone and Delivery
When it comes to sales voicemails, your tone and delivery can make or break the message. Conveying a friendly yet confident aura is essential in establishing rapport with prospects.
Here are tested strategies and tips for perfecting your voicemail tone and delivery:
- Smile as You Speak: Even though the listener can’t see you, smiling can positively affect the tone of your voice, making it sound warm and welcoming.
- Stand Up: Standing while speaking can make your voice sound more energetic and assertive.
- Use the Prospect’s Name: Personalization goes a long way. Address the prospect by name to establish a connection and show that your call isn’t just another telemarketing pitch.
- Speak Slowly: A slow pace ensures that your words are clear and understandable. Rushing through your message can make you seem disorganized or overly scripted.
- Pronounce Words Clearly: Mumbling or slurring words can undermine your professionalism. Practice enunciating clearly to maintain credibility.
- Pause for Emphasis: Strategic pauses emphasize important points and give the listener a moment to process the information you’ve shared.
Crafting a Persuasive Sales Voicemail Message
Your voicemail should leave the prospect feeling curious and compelled to learn more. Present a clear value proposition, and tease a benefit that is too valuable to ignore. For example, suggest that you have a tip, resource, or idea that could improve their current process or solve a problem they’ve been facing. Make it clear that a return call will be worth their time.
- To create a connection, mention a mutual connection or reference a relevant discussion from a recent industry event or forum.
- Use strong verbal cues to portray confidence and enthusiasm, which will be infectious and more likely to elicit a response.
- End the voicemail with a clear, direct call to action that leaves no doubt about what you want the prospect to do next, like calling back at a specific time or looking for a follow-up email.
Always Personalize Your Sales Voicemail Messages
Making a personal connection can be the difference between a voicemail that gets returned and one that gets ignored. Personalization is not just a trend in sales; it’s a powerful tactic to capture your prospect’s attention and demonstrate that you are not just sending out a blanket message. Tailoring your sales voicemail to the individual you’re calling can significantly boost your chances of engaging them.
Start by using the prospect’s name in the voicemail to immediately make it clear that your message is intended for them. If applicable, refer to past interactions or mutual connections. Personalizing your script in this way lets the prospect know that you’ve taken the time to understand who they are and why you’re reaching out to them specifically.
Then, dive deep into your prospect’s business. When you learn about their business challenges, recent achievements, or industry news, you can tailor your voicemail to resonate with them. Mentioning specific details about their company shows that you’ve done your homework and are offering a solution relevant to their unique situation.
Create a Sense of Urgency…But Not Too Much
One of the most effective ways to captivate your prospect’s attention and prompt a callback is to instill a sense of urgency in your sales voicemail script. By using language that encourages timely action, you pave the way for a quicker response.
Language is a powerful tool in your sales arsenal. Use verbs that inspire action, such as “call,” “discover,” “achieve,” and “gain.” Phrases like “limited time offer” or “exclusive opportunity” can nudge the listener to act. However, it’s crucial to ensure that these claims are genuine to maintain trust and credibility.
Clients can see through false urgency. Avoid fabricating deadlines or offers that aren’t real. Instead, if there is a genuine deadline or a special offer that is expiring soon, make sure to highlight this clearly. This honesty fosters respect and encourages your client to take your words seriously. Remember, credibility once lost, is hard to regain.
To create a sense of urgency, you must:
- Be specific: If there’s an actual deadline, mention the specific date.
- Provide context: Explain why the timeframe is limited or why the offer is exclusive.
- Highlight consequences: Emphasize what they stand to miss if they delay their response.
Avoid These Common Sales Voicemail Mistakes
Leaving the perfect sales voicemail can be the difference between a callback and a missed opportunity. As you hone your voicemail strategy, it’s equally important to remember what not to do.
Here’s what you should be cautious of when leaving sales voicemails for prospects:
- Long-Winded Messages: Keep it short and sweet. Aim for a message that’s around 30 seconds to ensure you respect your prospect’s time and maintain their interest.
- Monotone Delivery: Your voice conveys enthusiasm and confidence. A dynamic delivery captivates listeners and makes your message memorable.
- Focusing on Features, Not Benefits: Highlight the value you offer, not just the product. Your prospect cares about how you can solve their problems or improve their situation.
- Omitting a Clear Call to Action: Don’t leave your listener wondering what to do next. Include a specific, easy-to-follow instruction on how to proceed.
- Using Generic Scripts: Personalize your message. Tailor your script to address the individual recipient or their company’s needs, demonstrating that you’ve done your homework.
Example of a Bad, “Generic” Voicemail Script
“Hi, this is John from XYZ Company. I wanted to talk to you about our new product, which I think you might be interested in. It’s really great and has lots of features. You should call me back to discuss it. My number is 123-456-7890. Thanks, bye.”
Issues with the Script —
- Lack of Personalization: The voicemail does not address the recipient by name, making it feel impersonal.
- Vague Product Description: The description of the product is too generic (“really great and has lots of features”) without highlighting any specific benefits or relevance to the recipient.
- No Clear Value Proposition: It doesn’t explain why the recipient should be interested in the product or how it solves their problems.
- Missing Next Steps: The message doesn’t provide a clear call to action or suggest a convenient next step for the recipient.
- Unclear Contact Information: The phone number is provided too quickly, making it hard for the recipient to note it down.
- Lack of Enthusiasm and Professionalism: The tone is flat and lacks enthusiasm, which can make the message less engaging.
The Goal of Balancing Brevity and Detail
Striking the perfect balance between brevity and detail is essential in crafting an impactful sales voicemail. As a best practice, we suggest sales voicemails be between 15 to 30 seconds. A concise message respects your prospect’s time, while the right level of detail demonstrates value and captures interest.
Conciseness in your sales voicemails can lead to numerous benefits. When messages are short and to the point, they are more likely to be listened to in their entirety. To ensure your entire message is heard:
- Highlight the core proposition of your offering
- Use succinct language that conveys urgency
- Avoid jargon or complex explanations that could dilute the main message
When it comes to details, knowing your audience is key. You must also tailor the content of your voicemail to the recipient’s needs can make the difference between a callback and being ignored.
Remember to Follow-up After Leaving Your Sales Voicemail
Leaving the perfect sales voicemail is only part of your overall strategy. Effectively following up can significantly increase your chances of converting leads into customers. But how do you ensure that your follow-up is just as impactful as the initial contact?
Here are some sales voicemail follow-up best practices:
- Timing: Wait 48-72 hours before following up to give prospects time to respond.
- Email Follow-Up: Send a follow-up email after leaving a voicemail to ensure the message reaches them.
- Contextual Timing: Align follow-up timing with any specific dates mentioned in your voicemail.
- Persistence and Respect: If there’s no response, schedule a second follow-up for a week later and communicate this clearly.
- Reference Initial Contact: Start your follow-up by reiterating your name and the reason for your previous voicemail.
- Add Value: Share new information or relevant success stories in your follow-up.
- Reaffirm Benefits: Emphasize the benefits the prospect stands to gain from your product or service
Key Takeaways
While many sales callers avoid leaving voicemails, they’re a vital appointment setting tactic that increases the likelihood of connecting with decision-makers.
At Abstrakt Marketing Group, our cold callers participate in a sales training program to learn the best practices for pitching prospects, setting sales appointments, and leaving voicemails that boost callback rates.
When you’re ready to start building relationships and attending sales appointments with qualified leads, contact the high-performing business development reps at Abstrakt!
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