This is not an answering machine–this is a telepathic thought-recording device. After the tone, think about your name, your reason for calling, and a number where I can reach you, and I’ll think about returning your call.
Considering how often cold calls go to voicemail, your ability to leave compelling sales voicemails can have an enormous impact on your success during the prospecting stage.
.
5 Steps to Leaving Voicemail Messages That Get Returned: Identify Yourself. Say who you are and the company you work for up front. This makes you sound professional and transparent. S ay Your Phone Number Twice. Prospects can’t call back if they don’t have or you garbled your number. Give your contact information upfront and say it twice
6. Vacation Voicemail Greetings. Hey, this is [your name] at [X company]. I am actually on a break at the moment, on the other side of the world! Please direct all phone calls to [alternate contact name] at [phone number] and emails to [X email address].
You can record a personal greeting, or you can use one of the pre-recorded CenturyLink greetings. Follow the system prompts to select your greeting:
16. "Hmm. Gryffindor … No, Ravenclaw. Yes, you definitely belong in Ravenclaw. *Pause.* Okay, you haven't reached the Sorting Hat — it's the voicemail of [your name]. Please leave your name and number (and just for fun, the Harry Potter house you think you belong in) and I'll return your call as soon as possible."
Before we tackle appropriate voicemail etiquette for outbound messages, let’s first discuss proper etiquette for setting up your own voicemail system. As a professional, make sure you are regularly updating your voicemail greeting with information most relevant to those calling you.
If you have the person's email address, follow up with an email. Depending on the person’s schedule, it may be easier to correspond (or schedule a time to talk) via email. If you are going to go this route, say in your voicemail that you will be sending over an email shortly.
"Smile when you are talking and put energy behind your words," says Charlene DeCesare, a veteran sales advisor and founder of Firewalk Sales School. "Even though they can’t see you, your emotion will come through. If you let it, the power of your voice will be far more effective than any written communication."
Hello Joan, this is Susan with XYZ Company. I’m calling to get price quotes on your shipping rate. I’d appreciate it if you could call me back at 333-333-3333. Anytime during the work week would be great. Thank you.
A compelling sales voicemail won't be particularly effective if your prospect has no idea how they should respond. You can't just rattle off what they stand to gain from leveraging your product or service and then hang up. Always offer some next steps or insight on what they should expect next — like another phone call or a follow-up email.
It's never been more important for salespeople to be good at leaving voicemails. Not only that, but voicemail can — and should — be measured, coached, and improved. First, let's review general voicemail etiquette. Keep your greeting up-to-date. Let callers know when they can anticipate a response. Share your name and company affiliation. State the intention of your message. Include your contact information at the beginning and end of the message. Be concise. Share your availability.
If you don’t have access to your online account, you can dial in to your voicemail by pressing and holding the ‘1’ key on your phone’s keypad. After your phone connects to the voicemail system, you can access your password settings by pressing ‘*’, followed by the 5 key.
Dial 133 321If prompted: Enter your mailbox number. This is your Office/Home Phone number, including its area code (eg. 03 XXXX XXXX)Press #Enter your Passcode/PINPress #Listen to your Messages
On Air Recordings recommends you order professional voicemail greetings through their site, then describe the tone, approach, or voice direction you’re going for.
Because you never know the quality of someone’s phone audio or your cell phone service, it's not a bad idea to give your name and phone number twice within your message. The thought being, if the person you called can’t understand who you are or how to call you back, how can they be expected to return your call?
You have reached the , Strategic Air Command Nuclear Missile Storage Facility. We are unable to come to the phone right now. At the tone, please leave your name, number and target or list of targets and we’ll launch as soon as we can. And have a nice day.