Key facts
- A long voicemail sounds like a script, and most people stop listening once it does.
- Leave one on the first call and maybe one more a week later.
- Say it slowly, then say it again before you hang up.
- Saying it at the end twice, slowly, matters most.
How long should a sales voicemail be?
Short. Twenty to thirty seconds is plenty. A long voicemail sounds like a script, and most people stop listening once it does.
What reason works best?
Something about them. A new location, a recent hire, a problem common in their trade. "I help companies like yours" gives nobody a reason to call. "I saw you opened a second shop in Tampa" does.
Should I leave a voicemail every time?
No. Leave one on the first call and maybe one more a week later. In between, call without leaving a message and follow up by email.
A voicemail script you can use today
- Name and company
"Hi Dana, it is Sam from Northside Payroll."
- One reason
"I noticed you just hired three new techs, and payroll gets messy fast at that size."
- One ask
"Worth a quick call this week?"
- Number twice
Say it slowly, then say it again before you hang up.
- Email the same day
Two or three lines: you called, the reason, and a simple question they can answer by reply.
When does Buzzlist fit, and when does it not?
It fits when
- You call owners or managers and reach voicemail more often than a person.
- You want calls and emails to back each other up.
It does not fit when
- You want a script that sells the whole product in one message. Voicemail is too short for that.
- You have no direct or mobile numbers. A main line voicemail rarely reaches the person you want.
Questions people ask next
Should I say my number at the start or the end?
Both if you can keep it natural. Saying it at the end twice, slowly, matters most.
Is it OK to mention the email I am sending?
Yes. "I will send you a short note too" makes the email feel expected when it shows up.
Where do I get direct and mobile numbers?
In Buzzlist you can reveal a mobile or direct phone where the Buzzlist database has one. A reveal uses a contact only when a usable email, mobile or direct dial is found.
What if they never call back?
That is common. Many people answer a voicemail by email instead, which is why the same-day email matters.