How to Leave a Sales Voicemail

If you’re in sales, you already know that you’re about as likely to reach someone’s voicemail as to connect over the phone. 

From our experience, voicemails are often treated as an afterthought. These voicemails are a missed opportunity for many sales focused teams. After all, a clear, helpful voicemail can be just the prompt that a prospect needs to reignite the sales conversation.

So how do you leave a sales voicemail that connects with your lead and converts them to a customer? 

Here are three tips to ensure your voicemails are a success:

1. First, make a clear introduction.

You’d be floored by how many times people jump right into the voicemail without letting the prospect know who’s calling. This can cause confusion and make it difficult for the prospect to call you back.

Another critical thing many sales people fail to do? State the name of the person you’re trying to reach. People change their phone numbers all the time, particularly now that many don’t have a home or office phone number. 

Instead, make sure that you start your voicemail by stating the person you’re trying to reach, your name, and your company’s name. 

With this clear, friendly introduction, you’re able to set your voicemail up for success.

2. Explain why you’re leaving a message.

There should be a compelling reason why you’re leaving a voicemail message. Saying something vague or intentionally withholding information and asking for a callback can create a negative experience. You never want to waste your prospect’s time or worry them.

Instead, quickly explain the reason for your call. Did you get new inventory? Did a product they were previously interested in go on sale? Did you discover a new way you can meet their needs? Or are you trying to follow up with them about an inquiry that they submitted?

Being clear is more than just helpful. It can also encourage the prospect to respond, because they understand the value of continuing the sales conversation.

3. Outline the next communication and provide your contact information.

As you’re wrapping up your voicemail, make sure to let the prospect know what to expect. Should they call you back? Will you follow up with an email? Depending on the sale, your approach might be different. 

Being transparent about what will come aligns expectations, and helps make sure potential deals don’t fizzle and fade. 

Finally, make sure to state your name and contact information again. It’s a good idea to repeat your phone number or email at least twice to give your prospect time to jot it down.

Now that you know the three most important elements of a top-notch voicemail message, it might be helpful to listen back to a few of your old sales voicemails. Think about what’s going well, and what you could improve. 

For a more guided review of your sales strengths and weaknesses, consider sales coaching. Our professional team of sales coaches can help you improve sales and optimize your process.