Voicemail isn’t dead — far from it. Even if it often goes ignored, a strategic voicemail can still open doors, especially when it gets transcribed to text and read.
Try these ten strategies to up your phone prospecting game.
1. Pique Curiosity —Don’t Give It All Away
Your goal isn’t to close the deal in the voicemail. It’s to create enough curiosity that they want to call you back. Keep it relevant and intriguing, but skip the gimmicks — no fake prize announcements. Offer a hint of value they can’t ignore.
2. Repeat Your Phone Number
Even if people rarely call back, make it easy for them to do so. Say your phone number twice — once early and once at the end. Help your prospect help themselves.
3. Avoid Leaving Messages at These Times
Timing matters. Skip voicemail drops on Friday afternoons and Monday mornings — they’re the graveyard for callbacks. Instead, try Monday afternoon through Friday morning.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Call the Cell
Yes, it’s okay to call a prospect’s cell phone. The taboo is gone. Just be respectful of time zones — cell numbers don’t always reflect where people live. That 7:30 AM Eastern call could be waking someone up in California.
→ Read: Phone Prospecting Mistakes to Avoid
5. Time Your Call Strategically
Best times to call? 7:30–8:30 AM and 4:15–5:30 PM in their time zone. Be sure to double-check where your prospect is based — LinkedIn profiles can help. And when in doubt, send a quick email first.
6. Be Personable, Not Robotic
Let your personality come through, but stay professional. Avoid sounding scripted. Be conversational, like you’re speaking to a real person (because you are). The right tone builds trust.
7. Don’t Leave a Website or Email
Want a callback? Don’t hand them an easy way to avoid you. Skip your email and website. If they look you up and decide they don’t need you, you’ve lost the chance to engage directly.
8. Use Their First Name at Least Twice
Everyone loves hearing their own name. Use it at least twice in your voicemail. It makes the message feel more personal and more likely to stick.
9. Keep It Short, 8 to 14 Seconds
Yes, really. The sweet spot is a tight 8 to 14 seconds. It’s long enough to share value but short enough not to waste their time. If it gets transcribed to text, it’ll be readable and to the point.
10. Change It Up Every Single Time
Never leave the same voicemail twice. Each message should offer something fresh — a different insight, angle, or reason to call back. You’re trying to build urgency and relevance, not repetition.
Combine Voicemail with Email
Want to boost your chances? Pair your voicemail with an email. I always follow a call with an email — or vice versa — but I don’t duplicate the message. Keep the core message aligned, but change the wording and format. Two touches, two impressions.
Voicemail isn’t dead. It just needs to be smart.
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Copyright 2025, Mark Hunter “The Sales Hunter” Sales Motivation Blog. Mark Hunter is the author of A Mind for Sales and High-Profit Prospecting: Powerful Strategies to Find the Best Leads and Drive Breakthrough Sales Results.
