Remember that we can hear a smile in another person's voice, just as we can discern whether that individual is completely present and focused. Smart phones have the ability to record. Smart people take advantage of this tool and record themselves before leaving a message. And yes, it takes time. Precious time.
If you do this two or three times in a row, you further degrade your chances of ever connecting with this prospect. Since they've now seen your number come up multiple times without once receiving a voicemail, they're aware this call is definitely not one they need to take. You can bet the next time you call, they're not picking up.
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Aaargh, you are thinking, crap I need to say something, ooooh what do I say, think, think… nothing comes to mind, you are not prepared and you hang up.
You’re leaving a voicemail message for someone, and you mess up. Or maybe you’ve just said, “Dude—Your behavior at lunch was appalling,” and you realize that a more tactful wording might be appropriate.
AUDIX Mailbox: Your personal storage area for incoming and outgoing messages (and headers). Your incoming and outgoing messages are stored in categories according to their status. The system keeps incoming messages until you delete them or until an automatic deletion date. Because space is limited, it is wise to regularly review and delete messages.
The truth is, you can’t delete a voicemail from someone else’s voicemail box once you have recorded it and hung up. So whatever you need to do has to be done BEFORE hanging up. Here’s how you can save yourself from those accidental voicemails that you wish you had never sent in the first place.
So, is there an opportunity for your clients, referral partners, and prospects to reach you via voicemail? Or is your voicemail box always full?
1.) A study by AT&T found that five out of every six phone calls go straight to voicemail. Since you’re always more likely than not to get someone’s voicemail, before calling, script out what you want to say. Maybe even practice it out loud once before you dial.
Sometimes a little humor is the perfect tactic to break through a prospect's defenses and get them to call you back. This script adapted from Michael Freer will make your leads chuckle and be much more inclined to respond.
Call 800-201-4099. A representative will ask you a series of questions to verify your identity, and then will reset your PIN for you.
Visit the prospect’s website and social media and find a piece of connective tissue, such as an alma mater, a favorite sports team, or a common pet (I’m a dog lover, personally). This opens the conversation, and shows that you’ve done your research.
Salespeople are often coached to sound enthusiastic and excited on the phone, thus raising their natural voice pitch to a high, unnatural tone. In my opinion, this tone of voice makes it clear to the listener that not only is this an uncomfortable call, but a generic one.
To leave the perfect voicemail message, start by identifying yourself so the recipient knows who you are right off the bat. Then, if the person doesn't already know, mention how you got …
2. Select the menu icon, it’s usually the three-dotted icon found towards the top-right hand corner.
“Hello! You've reached the voicemail of [your name], [your job title]. I'm currently either away from my desk or on the other line. Please leave your name, telephone number, and a short message after the beep, and I'll be sure to get back to you as soon as I'm available.”
1. "Hi, you've reached [your name] at [your company]. I'm unavailable right now — probably helping [type of company] get [X results, e.g. ‘ double their leads in 60 days,' ‘hire the best and brightest engineers,' ‘convert 40% more customers.']
Any other thoughts? Write your voicemail for optimal message, and socialize the voice mail with your manager or your peers. Take the time to read it, time it and record it until you feel comfortable with your tone of voice, inflexion and energy. Write three or four voicemails with different scenarios and value statements; remember that you are trying to create an impression and recognition of your name and your solution.