Biznasty

Lead Business Development Manager

Is Voicemail Dead?

I do a lot of outbound dialing to prospect my own appointments (IT Staffing and Consulting). Half of our team leaves voicemail and half does not.

Do you leave voicemail? What's your thought process behind it? Have you had people call you back from a voicemail and what are you saying?

I personally don't get a lot of call backs from a voicemail so thinking about dropping it. It does show consistency if the receiver listens to it but is that worth the time it takes to leave endless voicemails?

Do you leave a voicemail?

Attached poll

Yes No Sometimes

*Voting in this poll no longer yields commission.

🔎 Prospecting

📞 Cold Calling

89 comments

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Hotsaw

Politicker

VP Sales

I rarely get call backs, but I leave a TON of voicemail. I've actualy started scripting some voicemails during covid since I've been leaving so many. Trying to get them tight and to the point. Ability to give good updates and move the process forward. Usually pair with an email as well. 1-2 punch.

Wolfof7thStreet

Valued Contributor

I like this strategy. Ive actually been calling first and basically just saying

"Hey this is Wolf calling from COMPANY, going to send an email over now with some more information but I just wanted to try to catch you over the phone first."

Then follow up with an email with good info with the subject line "Voicemail"

Have had some success here

Biznasty

Opinionated

Lead Business Development Manager

yes. I am usually following up almost every call with an email. Usually get a response to the email before the voicemail but I count that as a success.

BST

Contributor

Account Executive

I use this exact technique as well - works very well.

NoSuperhero

Politicker

BDR LEAD

Holy mierda I thought I was the only one that was going through that. hahahaha I've made strategedies for voicemails and emails so I can try to have some interaction somewhere hhaha it works 5% of the time but it's something.

CCP

Opinionated

VP, Business Development

I hate when a sales person make me listen to a VM AND read an email so I tend to try and call a few times and if I can't catch them on the fly, I'll email.

ninjaturtle

Executive

Business Development

Agreed, the percentages on the call back is low, but some prospects have gotten back to me and I’ve been able to set a few meetings from it. As mentioned before, direct, and with a CTA usually helps.

Rallier

Politicker

SDR Manager and Consultant

I pick and choose who I leave voicemails for. Mostly save it for higher priority prospects. That way I can dial more

Biznasty

Opinionated

Lead Business Development Manager

I just don't even listen to my own voicemails so I doubt people listen to the ones I leave them but i've been leaving them for so long it's hard to stop haha

Rallier

Politicker

SDR Manager and Consultant

Totally see what you mean. But it's entirely likely that your prospects don't behave the same way you do. Everybody is different

Biznasty

Opinionated

Lead Business Development Manager

100% why I still keep doing it

chubbspeterson

Politicker

Business Development

I don't get many call backs, so I leave less now than I do in the past. But, if I'm calling a prospects cell phone I try to always leave one, because there's so many random spam calls these days that I feel people are increasingly more reluctant to pick up calls from numbers they don't recognize.

Also, a lot of people will now read their voicemails on cell phones instead of listening to them, so I try to be talk slowly and clearly so that the message translates as accurately as possible.

Biznasty

Opinionated

Lead Business Development Manager

Yes. I've seen a lot of comments bringing up the transcription feature and I never thought of that but I do look quickly at the transcription before deleting or calling back. I think in general the phone has been dead because people are burnt out on talking in a room with themselves. Where I am (STL) people are really starting to get back into the office and so I hope that as more face to face time becomes available, I will be less reliant on the phone.

funcoupons

WR Officer

👑

I think voicemails are a waste of time for the most part and only leave them as a last ditch effort because I can't get ahold of the prospect any other way.

ShapesaSelling

Opinionated

Account Executive

I find the content of the voicemail to be a waste. However, I leave a ton anyway because it's like a free nudge for the prospect to respond to you in some way/shape/form.

I like @Hotsaw's technique above and will try that instead.

BigCheese

Notorious Answer

Agency Recruiter

I leave voicemails on 90% of phone calls but they also tend to be 90% ineffective.

Biznasty

Opinionated

Lead Business Development Manager

accurate!

Riss

Opinionated

I don’t even know anymore 🤪

I leave voicemails particularly on cell phones b/c on the smart phone as the transcripts to me are like less intrusive text messages. Everyone expects to be cold called. I leave a very strong "Front End Hook" + ambiguous how I solve/add value-- and question.

Sort of this script: The Reason I'm calling is I read this article/saw this post..., I think we can help you, would love to chat more, is this a problem you are looking to solve? My number is this..." And sort of leave it super ambiguous. I usually get a few calls back, it's still been effective.

AlecBaldwinsHairline

Valued Contributor

Head of Sales Development

Voicemail is dead because idiot sales people leave 2 minute long voicemails.

20 seconds or less - direct them to an email you are sending in follow up.

BullDawg

Politicker

My previous BDR self would kick my ass for saying this, but these days I’m a voicemail every dial kind of guy. My goal is less about booking a meeting every dial, and more about building brand awareness (both personal brand and company brand) with every touch point. That way - whenever I do connect with them somewhere - they hopefully recognize me as a human being and not an auto dialer.

I also notice that if someone calls me and doesn’t leave a voicemail (especially on my cell where I can take a quick look at the transcription) I pay no attention and never call back (I rarely pick up calls from numbers I don’t recognize or I’m not expecting). If there’s a voicemail, I’ll skim the transcription at least before deciding if I’ll call back or not.

to be fair - I’m also not a high volume caller - I only make maybe 20 outbound calls a day

Wolfof7thStreet

Valued Contributor

I will usually leave one voicemail with any prospect I can get to a confirmed voicemail for, just to point them back to my email. I think it helps to humanize the email and make it clear I am not just a robot

McNasty

Good Citizen

SaaS AE

If they have opened an e-mail or given me any sort of response anywhere, then they get voicemails. Otherwise I don't take the time to leave a message.

CaneWolf

Politicker

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

I leave voicemails because they'll at least start to recognize my name.

Biznasty

Opinionated

Lead Business Development Manager

Do you leave a quick short voicemail or do you go into detail?

CaneWolf

Politicker

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

Sub 20 seconds

cw95

Politicker

Sales Development Lead

Never have done. But, then again, how often do you reply to voicemails you receive?

tonysoprano

Big Shot

Sr. AE

Voicemails are huge for active deals especially on a cell phone

In cold outreach however i'm a firm believer that they are a huge waste of time

I'd love to hear thoughts if someone disagrees

Biznasty

Opinionated

Lead Business Development Manager

I agree. If it's a person I've had meetings with or am in process with then I will absolutely leave a VM. If it's a cold call I do but lately feel like it's become soul sucking.

beachNsales

Politicker

Sales Manager

Honestly, I rarely get a call back but its all about connecting touches. Voicemails saying you are going to follow up with an email or LI message, etc. More ways to get your name in their perspective.

matty

Good Citizen

Sales Manager

Based on what I am seeing, it depends on the industry. Selling into SaaS and large retailers, voicemail was a lost cause; however, in trucking/transportation, oil/gas, food/beverage distribution it seems to have been working.

trainer

Opinionated

Sales Trainer

If anyone uses Salesloft they have an auto record VM feature - can make leaving voicemails easy, stress free. Just pull & drop.

Biznasty

Opinionated

Lead Business Development Manager

that's great to know. I've been hearing so much about salesloft. I'll have to check that out. Thank you

PineappleYa

Opinionated

I leave VM with the topic and say I will also send a FU email. Name and company at the end. short and simple- I feel this gets me either a call back (less likely) or the reply email (most of the time) a good portion of the time.

Biznasty

Opinionated

Lead Business Development Manager

I've been doing emails before calls lately saying I'm going to call them. Then leaving a VM if it's a top prospect or if I am just in the mood. It's a good idea to try to switch up the order.

Bittersweet0326

Politicker

Digital Business Associate

There are two kinds of voicemails. The first is one you leave with a prospect you've worked with, maybe have demoed, and need something from. The second is on a cold dial where no contact has been made. For prospects you have talked to, it should be easier to know what to say. But for those that you haven't I will normally leave a vague voicemail like 'hey Frank this is Peter Parker over at XXX, give me a call when you get a chance. Thanks. I have a pretty good call back rate because it sounds friendly and I obviously want to talk to Bruce....but they aren't sure why.
Voicemails that are too detailed when they don't need to be haven't been very successful for me.

Biznasty

Opinionated

Lead Business Development Manager

Do you leave your company name in there or just your name and your call back number?

CastleIsland

Tycoon

Associate Account Director

I think leaving a valuable voicemail holds some weight, when paired with outreach from other channels. It will also keep your BDRs in the groove for when someone actually picks up the phone. So yeah, pro-voicemail guy here.

Biznasty

Opinionated

Lead Business Development Manager

Great point about staying in the groove. When I don't leave voicemails I do kind of become like a zombie. It's hard to stay energized when you are the autodialer. Didn't even think about that.

aferdman11

Inside Sales Rep

Just like your emails should be short and concise, same goes for email. Bring value to the prospect on why they should call you back that is under 30 seconds. Perfect chance for elevator pitch

Biznasty

Opinionated

Lead Business Development Manager

I am personally not a fan of an elevator pitch. It's never felt natural to me. I know that's probably a pretty controversial stance but I'm more of a question asker. I like to just go for the appt right away when I get someone because I know the people I'm calling on are super busy, get tons of sales calls, and probably picked up on accident. I literally say "I'm going to make this quick for you because i know you don't know who I am." I work for a brand new company so it's literally true.

DonDraper

Politicker

National Sales Manager

Short and sharp messages stating an email is also on the way.

TheHypnotist

Executive

Sales Manager

Hi X, my name is Y and my number is 1234567890, I was hoping you could help me out, I'd appreciate it if you could give me a call back, thanks.

I don't know anyone who knowingly calls back sales people after receiving a cold voicemail trying to sell something.

Biznasty

Opinionated

Lead Business Development Manager

true true true

proudprospector

Catalyst

Business Development Representative

I get callbacks pretty often with this simple script:

hey Prospect, please give me a call back at ##### when u have a sec. thanks and this is Name with Company.

Super brief and easy, saving name/company for then end gets them to listen to the whole vm. save your value prop for the connect

Biznasty

Opinionated

Lead Business Development Manager

been trying this one all day
Thank you.

JDialz

Politicker

Chief Operating Officer

We leave a VM for an unsuccessful 6th and 7th attempt to reach on cold calls.

Biznasty

Opinionated

Lead Business Development Manager

Thank you. That's good feedback. How much time spans by the time you get to 6 and 7 calls by chance?

JDialz

Politicker

Chief Operating Officer

First 5 attempts are in consecutive business days, unless I have too many new dials and the fresh ones push out the follow-ups. At No.6 I leave a VM for the first time, then push out the follow-up for 2 business days. At No.7 I leave a VM, then push out the follow-up 5 business days. I make an 8th attempt, but if its a no-reach I trash the contact. Upvote what you like :)

Biznasty

Opinionated

Lead Business Development Manager

BEAST. We do it even more spread out. I am learning i need to be calling people way more lol

my_notes_are_in_salesforce

Enterprise Account Executive

Just closed a deal where I emailed my contact a dozen times over 3 months, and then called and left her a voicemail. She actually called me back 5 minutes later, and told me the owners of the company were resistant to change and didn't want to rip out their accounting system. She shared some of her challenges, and I was able to generate enough interest to get her and her team onto a demo...and the rest is history. Bottom line, keep trying different tactics and approaches to break into an account. You never know what's going to work with different personalities.

MrBravado

WR Officer

VP of Marketing

The funny thing is, I can actually establish a relationship with a prospect through voice-mails.

It's a one-way relationship. But the prospect can:

1) start to get connected to key ideas,
2) associate those ideas with me, and
3) evaluate my comportment and character.

Over a period of time, and several voice-mails, a I distinguish myself with consistently contextually relevant messages and by demonstrating my character with a business-appropriate, professional and pleasant manner.

My prospect is starting to get to know me!

Tell me again why you don’t want to leave voicemail messages?

Stringer

Arsonist

SDR

Recently, I've been getting a decent amount of callbacks. 3-4 a week for the past 6-weeks.

Thing is, I have no idea why.

Biznasty

Opinionated

Lead Business Development Manager

Well I am happy someone is getting called back.

Onemoredial

Valued Contributor

Account Exectutive

I actually get more calls back when I don't leave a voicemail, quite often when they know it's me they won't call back!

Blackwargreymon

Politicker

MDR

I pick and choose who I leave voicemails for. Mostly save it for higher priority prospects. That way I can dial more

Clashingsoulsspell

Politicker

ISR

I use this exact technique as well

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Biznasty

Is Voicemail Dead?

Do you leave a voicemail?

89 comments

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