10 Prospecting Voicemail Don’ts

Many of us may use prospecting as a method to reach new clients and probably not a day goes by when you don’t get directed to someone’s voice mail. For some, this can be an unnerving experience. But with a little forethought and preparation, leaving an intelligent-sounding and effective voice mail can be less difficult than you might fear. Kendra Lee, author of The Sales Magnet and president of KLA Group, has identified the most common voice mail mistakes in this handy:

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Below we offer a summary of the top 10 things she suggests that you avoid doing when leaving a voice mail.

Being Dishonest. It might be tempting to act as if you’ve been trying to get the prospect on the phone for awhile. But if this isn’t true, “playing pretend” comes off as odd and dishonest. Instead, think of a better way to make an inroad with the individual in question.

Don’t Ramble. If you’ve ever found yourself babbling when you’ve unexpectedly landed in someone’s voice mail, you know how unprofessional this appears. Prepare what you would like to say in advance and then, stick to it.

Focusing on Your Products and Services. At first glance, this seems like an odd addition to this list. However, it’s important to remember that your goal is to get your prospect’s interest. Rather than going on about your services, think about how you can address the client’s needs and mention that in your voice mail.
Forgetting to Leave Your Contact Information. All too often, people forget this crucial detail. Lee suggests that you provide your name and number at the beginning and end of the message. Make this a regular habit for all of your voice mails and as you become accustomed to doing so, you’ll find yourself less likely to make this mistake.

Giving Up Too Easily. A lot of salespeople throw in the towel after 2-3 calls. But it can take as many as 7-8 calls to get a return phone call. Be persistent.
Being Overly Brief. If your prospect isn’t being given a compelling reason to return your phone call, he won’t. Don’t make your message so short that he fails to see the value in contacting you for more information.

Addressing Too Many Topics. You might provide multiple services that you want to let your prospect know about. But trying to cover a wide variety of subjects in a voicemail is to your detriment. Instead, choose one topic and stick to it.

Being Passive. Sitting around waiting for your phone to ring is never enjoyable. Once you’ve left a voice mail, have a plan in place for when you’ll follow-up.
Forgetting Your Referral. If somebody referred you to this prospect, it’s crucial that you mention that in your voice mail. In this case, “name dropping” is your foot in the door and you want to take full advantage.

Talking Too Rapidly. Do you sound like you’re talking so fast that you don’t have time to take a breath? Aim to use a conversational pace in voice mails, rather than racing through your message.

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