Many view voicemails in cold calling as a dead end, a place where leads go to die. They leave a message hoping for a callback, but deep down, they know it’s unlikely. This avoidance stems from the discomfort of potential rejection and navigating gatekeepers like receptionists. While racking up calls may feel productive, the minimal results often lead to frustration.
However, a modern approach reframes voicemails as opportunities for discovery, the initial step in locating your target. Instead of pressuring prospects, the goal is to uncover their situation, accepting either a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ outcome. This shift in mindset makes pressing ‘0’ on the voicemail prompt less daunting. It opens a chance to engage the receptionist in a collaborative quest for information.
Consider this dialogue: ‘Hi, I’m hoping you can assist me. I’m trying to reach Mike and reached his voicemail. Do you know if he’s at lunch, on vacation, or in a meeting?’
This approach avoids a direct demand and suggests possible solutions, inviting the receptionist to participate in the problem-solving process. Possible responses may include, ‘Yes, he’s in a meeting (or at lunch or on vacation) and I’m not sure when he’ll be back at his desk.’ Which provides more actionable intelligence than a voicemail. You now possess real-time information to schedule a callback appropriately.
Alternatively, the receptionist might say, ‘No, I don’t know where he is.’ Respond with a casual, ‘That’s not a problem…’ to ease any pressure they might feel. Follow up with, ‘Would you happen to know anyone whose desk or office is near him or who works in his area who might know where he is?’ This offers another avenue for assistance. The receptionist might then connect you with a colleague who can pinpoint your contact’s location.
If they reply, ‘No, I don’t know anyone in his area,’ a similar response, ‘That’s not a problem…’, followed by, ‘Would you happen to have a paging system or his cell phone number by any chance?’ can be useful.
If all avenues fail, and the receptionist can’t provide help, a polite, ‘Thank you very much. I really appreciate your help,’ and a subsequent call at a later time is appropriate.
Does the thought of paging or calling potential clients on their cell phones feel intrusive? This fear arises from a traditional sales-focused mindset. Embracing the evolved perspective will make you confident reaching out through any channel, at any time.
By prioritizing the prospect’s needs and maintaining a relaxed, helpful demeanor, you’ll navigate organizations effectively, gaining receptiveness and cooperation. If locating your contact proves impossible, leaving a voicemail becomes the last resort. A suitable voicemail example: ‘Hi John, perhaps you can point me in the right direction? I’m looking for the person who handles reporting unpaid invoices. My name is John Edwards, my number is…’
Adopting this strategy transforms voicemails from dead ends into promising pathways, yielding surprising and rewarding results.