Cold call, first voicemail (BACK TO TOP)
What’s more important in an effective voicemail is what you DON’T say. Too many details get confusing, sound salesy, and will usually not be returned. Effective voicemails are simple, short, and ambiguous, and the more they leave to the imagination, the better: Here’s how they’re done:
“Hey, this is (YOUR NAME), calling for the (OFFICE NAME) in (OFFICE CITY), and we’re looking for a (INDUSTRY). Please call me back at 800-620-3790, again, this is (YOUR NAME), and my extension is (YOUR EXTENSION). Thank you.”
“Hey, this is Andy, I’m calling for the RE/MAX Affiliated in Seattle, and we’re looking for a financial advisor. Please call me back at 800-620-3790, again, this is Andy, and my extension is 201. Thank you.”
Note that you’re not giving away any information at all about why you’re calling. And they’ll want to know why. This will pique their interest, and result in a larger callback ratio.
Cold call, second voicemail (BACK TO TOP)
Almost the same message. You still want to leave things up to the imagination. But you want to subtly remind them that you’ve already reached out to them without sounding pushy:
“Hey, this is (YOUR NAME), calling for the (OFFICE NAME) in (OFFICE CITY), and I’m still looking to find a (INDUSTRY). Please call me back when you get this at 800-620-3790, again, this is (YOUR NAME), and my extension is (YOUR EXTENSION). Thank you.”
“Hey, this is Andy, I’m calling for the RE/MAX Affiliated in Seattle, and I’m still looking for a financial advisor. Please call me back when you get this at 800-620-3790, again, this is Andy, and my extension is 201. Thank you.”
Avoid saying anything else or trying to get into a pitch on the voicemail. It’s still important to leave a lot to the imagination.
Cold call, third and final voicemail (BACK TO TOP)
You are icing them, and giving them one last chance to call you. Again, we are doing this without sounding pushy or desperate:
“Hey, this is (YOUR NAME), calling one last time for the (OFFICE NAME) in (OFFICE CITY). Don’t know if you got my messages, but I’m wrapping up a project, and I still need a (INDUSTRY). Do call me back when you get this at 800-620-3790, again, this is (YOUR NAME), and my extension is (YOUR EXTENSION). This will be my last attempt to reach you, so please call me, (THEIR NAME). I think it will be worth your while.”
“Hey, this is Andy, I’m calling one last time for the RE/MAX Affiliated in Seattle. Don’t know if you got my messages, but I’m wrapping up a project, and I still need a financial advisor. Do call me back when you get this at 800-620-3790, again, this is Andy, and my extension is 201. This will be my last attempt to reach you, so please call me, Madeline. I think it will be worth your while.”
Your tone should be curious, as though they should have returned your call by now, and also have a sense of finality to it. There should be no doubt that this is your last message. You’re finally taking away what you’ve been offering them, and that’s often enough to get people to return the call.
Already pitched, first follow-up voicemail (BACK TO TOP)
Tone is a lot friendlier. Use their first name right away. You want to sound cheery, and completely confident that they are gonna buy:
“Hey (THEIR NAME), it’s (YOUR NAME), we spoke the other day about the (OFFICE NAME) in (OFFICE CITY). Hey, let’s get this thing going! Call me at 800-620-3790, again, it’s (YOUR NAME), and my extension is (YOUR EXTENSION). Thank you.”
“Hey Madeline, this is Andy, we spoke the other day about the RE/MAX Affiliated in Seattle. Hey, let’s get this thing going! Please call me back at 800-620-3790, again, this is Andy, and my extension is 201. Thank you.”
Resist the urge to remind them what you spoke about (they should remember!) and resist the urge to ask if they got the email, or ask any other unconfident, cluttery questions in your voicemail. Quick, simple, confident, enthusiastic! Assume the sale. That’s all, nothing more.
Already pitched, second follow-up voicemail (BACK TO TOP)
Still a friendly tone, but a little more businesslike. Still assuming the sale. A little more urgency. Still using first name-basis friendliness.
“Hey (THEIR NAME), it’s (YOUR NAME), we spoke the other day about the (OFFICE NAME) in (OFFICE CITY). It would be great to hear from you today, if possible! Call me when you get this at 800-620-3790, again, it’s (YOUR NAME), and my extension is (YOUR EXTENSION). Thank you.”
“Hey Madeline, this is Andy, we spoke the other day about the RE/MAX Affiliated in Seattle. It would be great to hear from you today, if possible! Call me when you get this at 800-620-3790, again, this is Andy, and my extension is 201. Thank you.”
Assume they didn’t get your first follow-up voicemail, because they would have returned your call if they had. Always assume that you should be at the top of their priority list.
Already pitched, third follow-up voicemail (BACK TO TOP)
Ratcheted up the urgency, it’s getting to be close to time to stop contacting them. They’ve got to hear it, too.
“Hey (THEIR NAME), it’s (YOUR NAME), we spoke the other day about the (OFFICE NAME) in (OFFICE CITY). Let me know where we stand on this, I need to get this space reserved, and I need to know if it’s gonna be your space, or if it’s gonna have to be someone else’s. So call me when you get this at 800-620-3790, again, it’s (YOUR NAME), and my extension is (YOUR EXTENSION). I appreciate it.”
“Hey Madeline, this is Andy, we spoke the other day about the RE/MAX Affiliated in Seattle. Let me know where we stand on this, I need to get this space reserved, and I need to know if it’s gonna be your space, or if it’s gonna have to be someone else’s. So call me when you get this at 800-620-3790, again, this is Andy, and my extension is 201. I appreciate it.”
Yep, we’ve hinted that someone else can take the space. Still as polite as can be, but we’re dropping the ‘pleases’ and the ‘thank yous.’ A little shorter, a little more brief.
Already pitched, fourth and final follow-up voicemail (BACK TO TOP)
Here’s the final voicemail. It is strong, confident, and professionally persistent. It still leaves the ball in their court to try to contact you.
“Hey (THEIR NAME), it’s (YOUR NAME), we spoke the other day about getting some referrals for you from the (OFFICE NAME) in (OFFICE CITY). I’m sorry, (THEIR NAME), but either I’ve gotta get this space reserved for you, or else I’m gonna have to find someone else that wants it. So call me when you get this at 800-620-3790, I can help you finish this up, and hopefully I haven’t filled the space yet. Again, it’s (YOUR NAME), and my extension is (YOUR EXTENSION). Best of luck, I hope to hear from you.”
“Hey Madeline, this is Andy, we spoke the other day about getting some referrals for you from the RE/MAX Affiliated in Seattle. I’m sorry, Madeline, but either I’ve gotta get this space reserved for you, or else I’m gonna have to find someone else that wants it. So call me when you get this at 800-620-3790, I can help you finish this up, and hopefully I haven’t filled the space yet. Again, it’s Andy, and my extension is 201. Best of luck, I hope to hear from you.
It’s stayed on point, and professional, and you’ve instilled urgency (good) without sounding desperate or pleading (bad). When delivered correctly, voicemails like these will increase your chances of callbacks in any situation.