5 Proven Tips To Making A Sales Voicemail Script
Xant Team
Find out how you can make your sales voicemail script enticing and engaging to increase your callback rate and gain warm leads in this post.
RELATED: Cold Calling Voicemails: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
In this article:
- Four Reasons Why You Should Leave an Engaging Sales Voicemail
- Five Effective Tips for Sales Voicemail Scripts
- How to Have the Best Sales Voicemail: Six Steps to Follow
- 11 Mistakes You Shouldn’t Commit with Your Sales Voicemail Script
Sales Voicemail Scripts That Work
Four Reasons Why You Should Leave an Engaging Sales Voicemail
Working in the field of inside sales, sales reps make hundreds of phone calls each day. Yet, the reality is, calls (particularly cold calls) don’t get picked up most of the time.
That gives sales reps no choice but to leave a voicemail message. They don’t typically generate callback, but every time a voicemail does get one, it’s something to celebrate.
It automatically lets the sales rep know that they got the person interested enough for them to return the call.
There are four important reasons why sales reps should always leave an engaging and enticing voicemail after their call:
1. It’s Standard Operating Procedure
Did you know that 80% of callers don’t leave a message after they’re sent to somebody’s voicemail? That shouldn’t be the case for sales professionals.
We all know that calls don’t get picked up as much as we want them to. Given that, it should be standard operating procedure for a salesperson to leave a message so they can record their touch.
If you’ve already got a great sales voicemail script that works, leaving voicemails won’t take so much effort and time. The callback you’ll get may even be the warmest lead of the day.
2. It Shows You Care About Your Prospect
If you miss the opportunity to leave a voicemail during your first call, you undermine the importance of your call. If you fail to leave any voicemail with all the calls you make, it sends the message that the prospect isn’t important enough to hear your elevator pitch.
Good prospecting includes having a plan on how you’ll deal with voicemails and rejected calls. Leaving the right voicemail message lets the prospect know that your call is important and working with them is a great opportunity worth the time.
3. A Voicemail Counts as One Touch
It takes salespeople an average of eight touches to book an initial meeting with a prospect. Leaving a voicemail counts as one touch, so you need to do it right.
You can utilize your sales voicemail script to exhibit professionalism and drive name recognition and urgency from the prospect.
4. Voicemails Eventually Yield Callbacks
Donato Diorio of RingLead illustrated the callback rate for each call this way:
- First call = 11%
- Second call = 22%
- Third call = 33%
ZoomInfo says that the average response rate in one voicemail is 4.8%. Despite these callback and response rates, persistence is key.
If you can truly provide value to your prospects, you need to contact them persistently and not miss opportunities to leave voicemails.
Five Effective Tips for Sales Voicemail Scripts
1. Use a Lever
Using a lever means utilizing information that conveys to the prospect you know what you’re talking about. Basically, you’re trying not to make your voicemail sound like it’s a cold sales call.
Some effective levers you can use are:
- People employed under the company you’re reaching out to
- Shared history with the prospect
- Any relevant information about the prospect or their company (as long as you can connect it back to your offer)
Here are sample scripts that use a lever:
- “Hello [PROSPECT’S NAME], it’s [YOUR NAME] here with [YOUR COMPANY]. I’ve been working with you and your team at [PROSPECT’S COMPANY] for two years now, and I need to have a brief chat with you.
Please call me back at [YOUR PHONE NUMBER]. Again, it’s [YOUR NAME] with [YOUR COMPANY] at [YOUR PHONE NUMBER]. Thanks!”
- “Hi [PROSPECT’S NAME], this is [YOUR NAME] from [YOUR COMPANY]. We spoke last [DATE] regarding the quotation you requested for our [PRODUCT / SERVICE].
I wanted to know if you got our pricing, and I was hoping we can assist you with your purchase. Please reach me at [YOUR PHONE NUMBER].
Again, this is [YOUR NAME] with [YOUR COMPANY], [YOUR PHONE NUMBER].”
2. Provide Value
Prospects always want to figure out if talking to you is worth their time, so they want to know what’s in it for them early on.
One tactic you can apply to your sales voicemail script is providing value. Some examples of how you can provide value are:
- Offer to make the prospect’s sales process easier for them
- Offer them options that will save them time and money (this could also work by telling them how much they’re losing with the current way they do things)
- Provide an answer to something they want to know or they’re interested in
While providing value can definitely get the prospect’s attention, it also runs the risk of sounding like a sales pitch. One tip is to use this tactic for the relationships and accounts you already have.
Here’s a sample script that highlights the value you can provide the prospect:
“Hi [PROSPECT’S NAME], this is [YOUR NAME] calling from [YOUR PHONE NUMBER]. I’m reaching out to you because I’m working with a brand like yours in preventing them from losing 20% in sales.
I think I can help your brand in the same way. If you can give me a call back at [YOUR PHONE NUMBER], we can talk about this opportunity more.
Again, this is [YOUR NAME]. Thank you!”
3. Add Mystery
Adding some mystery to your sales voicemail script leaves the prospect wondering why you called and plays to their fear of missing out (FOMO) or fear of loss.
With a mysterious voicemail, you can make them think about:
- What might be wrong with their account
- A business lead or opportunity you might provide
- Being the only person who didn’t call you back
Here’s a sample of a short and mysterious script:
“Hi [PROSPECT’S NAME]. It’s [YOUR NAME] at [YOUR PHONE NUMBER].
Again, I’m at [YOUR PHONE NUMBER].”
This is an effective tactic that also saves you time.
4. Create Urgency
Creating urgency by highlighting a certain timeline will increase your odds of getting a callback after they receive your voicemail.
Here’s a sample script that gives a sense of urgency to the receiver:
“Hello [PROSPECT’S NAME]. [YOUR NAME] here calling with [YOUR COMPANY NAME]. I’m really doing my best to reach you before the end of the day.
Please call me back at [YOUR PHONE NUMBER]. Again, it’s [YOUR NAME] trying to get a hold of you before our offer expires.
Call me back as soon as possible please at [YOUR PHONE NUMBER].”
You can come up with something that really drives urgency, but make sure it’s legitimate. For instance, never tell a prospect their account is due to expire if it isn’t because that will only annoy them.
5. Combine Different Tactics
Now that you know four different ways of how you can write a sales voicemail script, you can start getting creative and experimenting with combinations.
Keep track of the scripts you’ve come up with and used. Take note of the ones that got prospects to return your call and which ones didn’t do so well.
Here are sales script examples that combine mystery with a sense of urgency:
a. “Hi [PROSPECT’S NAME]? [YOUR NAME] here with [YOUR COMPANY].
We need to speak today regarding your account. Please call me back as soon as you can at [YOUR PHONE NUMBER].
That’s [PHONE NUMBER]. Talk to you soon.”
b. “[PROSPECT’S NAME], it’s [YOUR NAME] here from [YOUR COMPANY]. I read a report that I really think you should know about right away.
Can you please return my call at [YOUR PHONE NUMBER]? Again, this is [YOUR NAME] at [YOUR PHONE NUMBER].”
It’s always important to plan ahead what you will say when the prospect returns your call. Make sure you have something worthwhile for them so they won’t think calling you back was a waste of their time.
How to Have the Best Sales Voicemail: Six Steps to Follow
Follow these six steps to execute a sales voicemail process that’s scalable and data-driven:
- Pick a sales voicemail tactic that best fits your prospects and offer, then write a script based on those considerations. Name your script so it’s easily identifiable.
- Apply at least two voicemail techniques to see which will bring the results you’re aiming for.
- Use the sales voicemail script you created for one whole day — give that spiel every time you’re not able to connect.
On your second and succeeding voicemails to the same prospect, remind them of the previous one you sent. Repeat the value statements (hot buttons) you mentioned.
Then, offer something new that’ll catch their interest.
Record the touch in your CRM and which script you used so you can keep track of its performance. Then, test a different voicemail technique the next day.
Remember, it’s important that you leave voicemail messages related to each other so your communication is cohesive. - Prepare a conversation starter that applies to any type of voicemail message. This way, you’ll know how to jump into a conversation with your prospects when they call you back.
You can talk about the following in your callback statement:
-
- Your potential collaboration
- The happenings within their company and industry that you’ve noticed
- Any relevant event that will benefit the prospect
- Try applying a different technique for four days and take note which ones worked best for your business.
- Write multiple scripts using your most successful technique and make sure to use them every time!
RELATED: 3 Reasons Your Voicemails Fail and How to Fix Them
11 Mistakes You Shouldn’t Commit with Your Sales Voicemail Script
Leaving voicemail messages that get returned should be the goal of every sales team every time they’re not able to connect.
When you’re thinking about what to say when leaving a voicemail, make sure to not do any of these.
1. Make a Sales Pitch
Selling through voicemail is the most common mistake that salespeople make. It’s a tough habit to break, but it seriously hurts your callback rate.
Avoid mentioning your offers — even if it’s a new one you have. Keep in mind that your first goal is to set a meeting where you can sell.
2. Sound Desperate
It’s dangerous to assume that your prospect isn’t interested to hear more from you. This assumption leads to making a sales pitch and big offers over a voicemail, which make you sound desperate.
Sales conversations aim to get prospects interested. You can sell to them when you’re in a meeting and you can have a two-way conversation.
3. Undermine the Urgency of Your Message
Leaving a message that ends with you saying your call is nothing urgent and that the prospect can call you back anytime almost guarantees you won’t get a call in return.
People have more urgent things to do, and if you’re not able to make it to their to-do list, you’ll lose your opportunity.
Always aim to drive a sense of urgency that compels the prospect to call you back. The key is to make this authentic — don’t overemphasize or undermine the urgency of your message.
4. Talk for More Than 10 Seconds
Ten seconds may seem like a short time, but if you want to hold your prospect’s attention, keep your message short and enticing.
Your purpose should be clear right from the start. Within that time limit, make sure you’re able to repeat your name and phone number.
5. Not Mention Names
It’s important to address your prospect by their first name and to mention your own name twice, and slowly. Addressing your prospect on a first-name basis results in better outcomes.
6. Say Your Phone Number Too Fast
Your prospect shouldn’t have to listen twice to jot down your phone number. As with saying your name, you should also speak slowly and clearly when you’re giving your phone number.
When you speed through your voicemail, you give the impression that you’re a smiling and dialing sales rep. You want to give the impression that you called them exclusively (even if you also called a hundred other prospects that same day).
7. Limit Yourself to One Voicemail
To make the sales voicemail script techniques work, you need to repeatedly apply them. Leave seven to 10 messages for a prospect before letting them go.
Even better if you can connect all of them to form a coherent message or story. This will catch the prospect’s interest more.
8. Not Being Sensitive with the Tone of Your Voice
Making hundreds of calls a day is tiring, and it can show in the tone of your voice. Be careful to not let your voice fall into a monotone that makes you sound uninterested and bored.
If you must, take breaks in between calls to stay alert and sensitive with the tone of voice you use during calls.
9. Talk About Yourself and Your Company
Starting off your voicemail by introducing yourself and your company in length guarantees non-responsiveness. Simply by doing this, you’ll consume all 10 seconds you have.
When you begin your voicemail with this introduction, the prospect will immediately know you’re trying to sell to them. People dislike being on the receiving end of a sales call, so you can bet they’ll delete your message right away.
10. Ramble in the Voicemail
Rambling during a call and a voicemail often results from not having a pre-call plan. If you fail to stick to your script or a bulleted list of agenda, you won’t get your message across clearly.
11. Forget the Reason for Leaving a Voicemail
The goal of the voicemail is to entice, intrigue, and engage the prospect. It gives you another chance to get on a call with them after missing it the first time.
That’s why your sales voicemail script should:
- Get the prospect to return your call
- Leave a positive impression on them so they’ll think about answering your next call
The keys to making your sales voicemail script work are practice and persistence. You can be effective in making sales voicemails by consistently applying what you learned from this article.
Make sure to document your scripts and the impact they have on your callback rate. By avoiding mistakes and applying best practices, you’ll nail the execution of this sales touch.
Which of these sales voicemail script techniques do you practice and how did they help your sales team? Share them with us in the comments section below!
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