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# System prepended metadata

title: How to effectively use voicemails
tags: [Module 6]

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---
tags: Module 6
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# How to effectively use voicemails 
 

Research shows a low 4-6% response rates for voicemails. Reason being: they are usually bad.

By bad, we specifically mean: way too salesy, too long, no passion or enthusiasm and usually all about the caller and their company. 

It is a big opportunity however. Especially since the global Covid pandemic with many people working in home office settings, many calls go straight to voicemail.

### Best practices for *good* voicemails

As with all outbound communication, there is a certain structure that has proven to work well for effective voicemails.

The *how*:

* Natural, mellow but “interested” tonality.
* Keep it short and concise (30 seconds).
* Offer value and do **not** sell.

The *what*:
* Relevant opener: say why you are reaching out (e.g. referring to a relevant trigger if there is one. If not, skip and start with the next point). 
* Problem describtion: get straight to the point sharing a *relevant* problem for your ICP / IBP (notice the parallels to good cold calls and mails?).
* Call-to-action: refer to the email you are going to send in a couple of minutes that offers value for your prospect (e.g. including a blog article, case study, white paper etc.).
* End with your name, company and mail.

:::success
**Practical tip:** Refer to the email you are about to send!

While the points above are all important, the email call-to-action is key. Do not expect a call back. Rather, refer to the email you are going to send to have an immediate association with your name / voicemail. It will drastically increase the chance of your prospect reading your mail (if your voicemail indicated value), making it easy for them to respond. In that sense, that is the value your voicemail creates; it makes your follow up mail(s) more effective.
:::

### Specific Examples

Let's start with a bad example showing you how *not* to do it.

👎 Bad example:
"This is Dominic from Hyrise Academy. Calling you about the email I sent a couple of days ago. We are the leading company for sourcing, placing and training SDRs at the best tech companies and would like to talk about your SDR hiring and training needs. If it sounds interesting, please give me a call back." 

Let's briefly anaylze what happened here:
* Starting with my name and company: many do but we are not a fan of this, simply because your prospect does not care (zero value information)
* "Calling you about the email...": Ok, so what? Again, zero value information and chances are  I am hanging up now as I am bored.
* "We are ...": It's all about me, us and how great we are - zero focus on the prospect and his needs, not relevant and does not touch on a pressing pain or need.

Now, let's look at a good example for an effective voicemail.

👍 Good example: 
“Hey Sally, the reason for my call is that I noticed you are currently looking for SDRs. I work with other sales leaders of high growth SaaS companies that struggle finding German speaking SDRs. Will send you an email with an article with best practices that you may find helpful in a couple of minutes. Feel free to respond to me there or give me a call back. My email is dominic@hyrise.com. Dominic from Hyrise Academy"

Analysis: 
- [x] Starting with the reason for the call including a relevant trigger showing I did my research 
- [x] Following with a pressing problem known from talking to other experts like her.
- [x] Refer to the email I am sending - including value - making it easy for her to respond.
- [x] Leaving my name and company at the end so she remembers.

Want to hear real voicemail examples from Hyrise cofounder Dom in action? 🤓

Follow [this link](https://www.notion.so/headstartacademy/Voicemail-examples-4d49d334ccd64431b487d6ed5db253ac) to our sales knowledge base on Hyrise+ . 

&nbsp;
Happy voicemailing! ☎️






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