Crafting Compelling Voicemails for Callbacks

The Goal of a Voicemail: Intrigue, Don't Sell

Before we get into what to say, we must be crystal clear on what not to do. The single biggest mistake salespeople make is trying to pitch their product or service in a voicemail. A voicemail is not the place for a sales pitch; it's an appetizer, not the main course.

Think of it like a résumé: the goal of a résumé isn't to get you the job, but to get you the interview. Similarly, the goal of a voicemail isn't to close the deal, but to start a conversation. To understand the common traps, let's review some of the biggest mistakes to avoid.

As you can see, the theme is clear: keep it short, focused, and about them, not you. The goal is to make them think, "What was that about? I should probably call them back."

The Essential Anatomy of an Effective Voicemail

Now that we know what to avoid, let's build the basic structure of a professional voicemail. While the content will vary, there are a few core components every message should contain to be clear and effective.

These five elements—Your Name, Your Company, Why You're Calling, Contact Info, and a Next Step—form the skeleton of your message. Now, let's add the muscle: the curiosity-inducing language that will make your voicemails compelling.

Frameworks for Crafting Curiosity

Your primary focus is on warm leads—prospects you've already engaged with via DMs. This is a significant advantage, as you have existing context. Let's look at how to leverage that.

We will explore three powerful frameworks for doing exactly that.

Framework 1: The "Game Changer" Idea

This framework, popularized by sales trainer Matt Easton, positions you as a thoughtful expert rather than a typical salesperson. It's about proposing an "idea" rather than a product. It's subtle, confident, and highly effective at creating intrigue.

The script's power lies in its humility ("I'm not sure") and its focus on a potential "game changer" for the prospect. It creates a collaborative frame and makes them want to know what the idea is.

For your context, the script could sound like this:

"Hey [Prospect's Name], this is [Your Name] from [Coach's Company]. You and I were chatting on Instagram about [their goal]. I wanted to reach out personally because I have an idea that might be a game-changer for you, but I'm not sure. Can you give me a call back on my mobile, [Your Number]?"

Framework 2: The Short & Punchy Triggers

Sometimes, the most effective approach is to be incredibly brief and use a psychological trigger. Sales coach Cody Askins teaches three such voicemails: "Good News," "Quick Question," and "The Drop Off." The first two are perfect for your situation.

These scripts work because they are mysterious and imply a benefit for the prospect.

• The "Good News" Voicemail: "Hey [Prospect's Name], this is [Your Name] getting back to you about your request. I've got some really good news for you. Call me back as soon as you can at [Your Number]."
• The "Quick Question" Voicemail: "Hey [Prospect's Name], this is [Your Name] getting back to you. I have a really quick question for you. Give me a call back when you have a moment at [Your Number]."

They are simple, repeatable, and very difficult for a curious person to ignore.

Framework 3: The "Lever" of Prior Context

Since you're calling warm leads from DM conversations, your most powerful tool is the context you already have. Explicitly referencing this prior connection acts as a "lever" to separate your call from any other cold call they might receive.

The "Lever" script is your go-to for following up on DM chats. It's direct, professional, and reminds them of their initial interest.

"Hi [Prospect's Name], this is [Your Name] with [Coach's Company]. We were messaging on Instagram last week about the coaching program, and I wanted to follow up with you briefly. Please reach me at [Your Number]. Again, this is [Your Name] at [Your Number]. Thanks."

Your Turn: Script Your Voicemails

Now, let's put this into practice. Open your "Follow-Up Cadence" page in Notion. You're going to add a new section called "Voicemail Scripts" and draft three distinct voicemails you can use for your non-responsive warm leads. Use the frameworks we've just discussed.

1. Script 1 (The "Game Changer"): Write a script based on Matt Easton's framework. What "idea" could you propose to a prospect interested in one of your coach's programs?
2. Script 2 (The "Trigger"): Choose either the "Good News" or "Quick Question" framework and write a short, punchy script.
3. Script 3 (The "Lever"): Write a script that directly references a prior DM conversation to re-establish context.

Having these scripts ready will give you immense confidence when you make your calls.

Conclusion

You now have a clear understanding of what separates a forgettable voicemail from one that gets a callback. The key is to shift your mindset from selling to creating curiosity. By keeping your messages short, avoiding a pitch, and using proven frameworks, you can dramatically increase your callback rate and re-engage those promising warm leads.

Key Takeaways:

• The goal of a voicemail is to get a callback, not to make a sale.
• Keep your messages under 30 seconds and always state your name and number twice.
• Avoid common mistakes like pitching, rambling, or sounding desperate.
• Use curiosity frameworks: propose a "game-changer" idea, offer "good news," ask a "quick question," or "lever" your prior conversation.
• Your tone of voice is just as important as your words. Sound confident, energetic, and professional.

In our previous lessons, we built a follow-up cadence and now we've scripted the voicemails for it. The next logical step is to practice and improve. In our next session, we will cover how to conduct a self-review of a recorded practice call using a structured feedback framework, helping you refine your delivery and technique.