Private: Voicemails and How to Leave Them – by Liz Donehue

I currently have 16 voicemails in my mailbox, most of which are from my mom who is trying to establish that I received her previous seven voicemails. As I listen to these voicemails, it’s easy to decipher which voicemails I can immediately delete. Yes, mom. Starbucks sounded great. I’m sorry the woman in front of you took so long to order her latte and had a thousand questions about which milk came from which organic-certified animal.

The point being is that if I’m not immediately intrigued by the voicemail, it’s getting deleted into an abysmal black hole, never to be retrieved (I’m aware that the iOS8 update allows me to retrieve my deleted voicemails, but who has the time for that, she wrote while rebooting a Netflix comedy special seen over six times).

When you leave a voicemail for a prospect or a distant client you wish to conduct business with, you have under 10 seconds to deliver an impression to intrigue the client into returning your call.

“Hey Stan hi it’s Gary. It’s a beautiful morning here in Fresno (sorry, I know that’s reaching), and we’re really looking forward to the upcoming holiday that most of us will be celebrating. Anywho, those of us at XYZ Company wanted to touch base before the end of 2014. I’m not sure what you’re upcoming plans are for the new year regarding your commercial cleaning needs, but we would love to partner up with you. Please call me back at this really phony phone number, 222-555-1000.”

Gary’s voicemails could be stronger (partly my fault). Why is he calling a prospect to convey a meteorological update in central California? Why is he dancing around vague holidays with speech that could essentially be hurtful? While he has some lighter points that are very appropriate, the timing is wrong. See the same voicemail in reverse:

“Hi Stan, it’s Gary with XYZ Company. I wanted to touch base with you before the end of 2014. I would love to reevaluate your commercial cleaning needs. Please give me a call back at your convenience at 222-555-1000.”

On paper or screen, the second rendition of the voicemail is a few lines shorter, and states the point of the call before getting into small talk and/or rapport. Small talk is to be reserved for an actual dialogue between you and your prospect, unless you have a pair of insane tickets for the upcoming Minnesota Wild game, or want to add a personal anecdote or congratulations on a marriage or new baby. Save the topic of the newest addition of baby Braydenne (thanks, distant Facebook acquaintance) for your real conversation instead of the wasteful voicemail destined for the abyss. First and foremost, state your business, and follow up with rapport to boost future business opportunities. I would elaborate further but my mom is calling me.

Liz Donehue
Prospectr Marketing
https://www.prospectrmarketing.com/blog