Secret Voice Mail Weapon for Sales Professionals

While at a client’s I had the sales team do a telephone blitz. Each person went to their desk and made 15 minutes of calls while the rest of the small group listened in on the phone in the conference room. I then gave feed back. Everyone was scared to do it at first, but we made it fun and educational and soon they were all at ease. Of course, like most of you, they ran into many automated attendants.

I gave them one of the techniques that works so well for getting calls back from a voice mail. It comes with a bit of caution though. The secret weapon is:

Leave a brief voice-mail with a message with the words: “I have an idea of a way you can increase business (or revenue or productivity or decrease cost).” Be creative but don’t say what your fix is over the phone.

Example: “This is Derek Hughes with ABC Company, I had an idea that could work to increase your sales and I wanted to discuss it with you. Give me a call at 800-926-5953.”

Caution: You better have a solution to give the prospect when they do call back. And I’m warning you they will call back!

The idea doesn’t have to be original; you can use similar ideas for many clients since you probably sell the same service or product.

A few days after the training, I called the sales manager to see how the training went in his eyes. He was amazed that in just a few days the salespeople were more energized and getting more calls back and ultimately making more sales.

He ended the call with, “By the way, remember that technique ‘I had an idea…’”

“Sure.” I said.

“Well, Casey frantically bolted into my office yesterday asking what she should say. She had used the technique. And to her astonishment the prospect called her back. She was so caught off guard that she actually put the prospect on hold and came running into my office looking for help.”

At which point, we both chuckled. I laughed again later to myself wondering how many other salespeople were getting scared at my secret voice mail response weapon.

I warned Casey like I warn you; use it only when you actually can think of an idea to back up the voice mail.