With the
rise of texting in the last decade, most individuals are now less inclined to
answer a phone call. In fact, according to sales strategist Jill Konrath, 97 percent of business calls go to voicemail.
People just don’t pick up the phone anymore. And if they don’t answer the phone
to talk to their mom, they are certainly not going to pick it up for a strange
or unknown number. For marketing and salespeople, this is a special challenge:
How do you make sales calls when no one answers? The trick is in crafting the
right voicemail message — not just a “Call me back to see how we can help your
business.” You want an effective greeting that actually gets the person to call
you back and chat. So how do you do that?
rise of texting in the last decade, most individuals are now less inclined to
answer a phone call. In fact, according to sales strategist Jill Konrath, 97 percent of business calls go to voicemail.
People just don’t pick up the phone anymore. And if they don’t answer the phone
to talk to their mom, they are certainly not going to pick it up for a strange
or unknown number. For marketing and salespeople, this is a special challenge:
How do you make sales calls when no one answers? The trick is in crafting the
right voicemail message — not just a “Call me back to see how we can help your
business.” You want an effective greeting that actually gets the person to call
you back and chat. So how do you do that?
Why do a voicemail drop message?
Before
we share our top tips, let’s understand the difference between a traditional
voicemail and a drop voicemail. A voicemail
drop is leaving a voicemail that won’t cause the phone to ring. Why
utilize that technology? First off, it’s effective. According to straticsnetworks.com,
the inventor of ringless voicemail technology, a voicemail drop message has a
96 percent listen to rate. So while people might be hesitant to answer an
unrecognized number, they are sure to listen to a new voicemail before deleting
it.
we share our top tips, let’s understand the difference between a traditional
voicemail and a drop voicemail. A voicemail
drop is leaving a voicemail that won’t cause the phone to ring. Why
utilize that technology? First off, it’s effective. According to straticsnetworks.com,
the inventor of ringless voicemail technology, a voicemail drop message has a
96 percent listen to rate. So while people might be hesitant to answer an
unrecognized number, they are sure to listen to a new voicemail before deleting
it.
The script
Taking
time to craft your script is incredibly important for a quick voicemail drop.
You want it to be concise but informative. The average length of your voicemail
should be between 20 to 30 seconds — not any shorter
or longer. This is because the individual you are trying to reach will lose
interest if a voicemail is over 30 seconds. But if your voicemail is too short,
then the person will assume the message is unimportant or merely a wrong
caller, and delete it before ever listening to it.
time to craft your script is incredibly important for a quick voicemail drop.
You want it to be concise but informative. The average length of your voicemail
should be between 20 to 30 seconds — not any shorter
or longer. This is because the individual you are trying to reach will lose
interest if a voicemail is over 30 seconds. But if your voicemail is too short,
then the person will assume the message is unimportant or merely a wrong
caller, and delete it before ever listening to it.
Don’t
start the voicemail with your name and company. Doing that runs the risk of the
person immediately recognizing it’s a sales pitch and deleting it before
listening to the full message. Instead, lead with your prospect. Pose a
question that intrigues the listener.
start the voicemail with your name and company. Doing that runs the risk of the
person immediately recognizing it’s a sales pitch and deleting it before
listening to the full message. Instead, lead with your prospect. Pose a
question that intrigues the listener.
Finally,
don’t end your voicemail with a traditional close like “Please call me back” or
“I’ll call back at this time.” These don’t provoke interest. End with a
question or another tidbit of information that will pique their curiosity.
don’t end your voicemail with a traditional close like “Please call me back” or
“I’ll call back at this time.” These don’t provoke interest. End with a
question or another tidbit of information that will pique their curiosity.
Remember
to practice this script multiple times before making your call. You want to
have all the necessary information memorized, but you also don’t want to sound
robotic (or like you are reading from a script). Make it natural.
to practice this script multiple times before making your call. You want to
have all the necessary information memorized, but you also don’t want to sound
robotic (or like you are reading from a script). Make it natural.
The tone
Use your
normal tone of voice when leaving a voicemail. Don’t try to feign enthusiasm or
excitement — it will sound unnatural and artificial. You don’t want to turn
your listener off by sounding fake.
normal tone of voice when leaving a voicemail. Don’t try to feign enthusiasm or
excitement — it will sound unnatural and artificial. You don’t want to turn
your listener off by sounding fake.
Also
make sure to be personable and warm in your greeting. You want to come across
as sincere and engaging, not “sales.”
make sure to be personable and warm in your greeting. You want to come across
as sincere and engaging, not “sales.”
The best time to drop
You
might think you can leave a voicemail whenever, but the timing is critical.
Most experts suggest the best time to drop a message is either first thing in
the morning or at the end of the workday. Aim for the end of the day, between
4 to 6 p.m. A voicemail at 9 a.m. is likely to be dismissed or forgotten amid
all the chaos of a busy weekday morning. Instead, if you catch your prospective
customer as they are wrapping up their day at the office or workplace, they’re
more likely to have the time to listen.
might think you can leave a voicemail whenever, but the timing is critical.
Most experts suggest the best time to drop a message is either first thing in
the morning or at the end of the workday. Aim for the end of the day, between
4 to 6 p.m. A voicemail at 9 a.m. is likely to be dismissed or forgotten amid
all the chaos of a busy weekday morning. Instead, if you catch your prospective
customer as they are wrapping up their day at the office or workplace, they’re
more likely to have the time to listen.
