How to Contact Customers Who Never Answer Their Phones and Improve Your Business Response Rates

 

Let's cut to the chase. You have something to say to someone. You don't want to call them, risk getting ignored, and then get to leave a voicemail anyway. So you skip the part where their phone rings.

A voicemail drop is a message that's delivered directly to a contact's voicemail inbox, without ever having rung on their phone. You record a message, select a contact list, and the platform does the rest. Their voicemail boxes will have a message waiting, but their phones won't need to ring at all.

It's an interesting method, and I'll admit, when I first heard about them, it sounded like something of a scam. It does turn out to be somewhat legitimate, though. Your voicemail message is sent through the carrier's voicemail server, which accepts calls and messages sent to it, in a way that doesn't require the recipient's phone to ring, answer, or even be on the same network.

It's a helpful work around for the sender, who would otherwise have to wait for an answer, get no answer, and then leave a message, possibly multiple times. A voicemail drop service helps automate this process, making it easier to deliver messages to multiple contacts without manually calling each person.

Why Would I Want To Do This?

A significant portion of telephone calls go unanswered. When a recipient sees an unknown number on their caller ID, they have the option to flip the phone over and end the call. This is an issue for businesses who need to contact leads, as their ability to do so is almost completely reliant on someone answering the phone and giving them an opportunity to sell

A ringless voicemail delivery skips right to the voicemail, meaning that the recipient has the option to listen to the message at a time that's convenient for them. It's also much faster, a sales rep who needs to contact fifty prospects might spend a half day on the phone, and only connect with six who will actually talk to them. With a voicemail drop, the same rep can send out fifty messages in a few minutes, reserving most of that day for the people who call back

This method has found a home in a number of industries. Realtors use it to send reminders to clients, dentists remind folks to take their antibiotics, political campaigns make announcements, churches spread the gospel, collection agencies follow up on unpaid debts, and gyms advertise openings. It's useful for any industry that has something to say to a lot of people, without wanting to say it fifty times verbally

How Does It All Work

Voicemail drops can be accomplished by most people through a simple dashboard

You upload a contact list (usually a CSV file), record or upload the message that you want to send, then click a button and wait. Some platforms offer the ability to schedule your drop for a specific time, so that you don't end up contacting prospects right when they're due to wake up. Some offer merge fields for simple personalization, though this can create an unwanted impression if the message sounds automated. The quality varies significantly across services, and I strongly recommend doing a small test before using one for real, or potentially wasting money on a much larger list

Voicemail drops versus regular calls versus texts

I'm often asked about what makes a voicemail drop worthwhile, and the short answer is that it depends on your needs

Making a call is the most personal way to contact a prospect, and it has the potential to yield the highest pickup rates, simply by virtue of requiring the recipient to answer. Text messages are quick to read, and have exceptionally fast delivery, but they are impersonal and lack any sort of human contact. A voicemail drop falls somewhere in between, having a human voice and tone, but doesn't require immediate action

A voicemail drop has a much higher chance to be read than a text or an email, simply by virtue of the fact that the recipient has decided to listen to it. This makes it comparable to a regular phone call, without needing to interrupt the recipient. The best use of these three items is usually a combination of all. Send a voicemail drop, follow it up with a text message, and then call if neither is answered. Three separate touches, the same message, and you're much more likely to have someone remember who you are

The Legal Fine Print, Which No One Wants To Read

Ringless voicemail delivery falls into a legal grey area in the United States, at least for now. The Federal Communications Commission has ruled that these messages fall under the jurisdiction of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, in most cases. This, in short, means that you need permission to send one

If you're going to send these to prospects that didn't sign up to receive them, you're opening yourself up to the threat of litigation

TCPA fines are steep, and they can add up very quickly, especially with class action lawsuits. The best way to avoid this is to secure permission to send the message, in most cases. This could be a sign up on a website, a checkbox when requesting information, or even a verbal agreement. Check against the National Do Not Call Registry, and make sure that your message isn't entirely unsolicited. Keep records on every call, and make sure the recipient has a way to opt out of future contact, preferably verbally

I am not a lawyer, and this isn't legal advice. Please consult a professional before engaging in these activities at scale. As a general rule of thumb, don't send the message if you wouldn't be comfortable testifying about it in court.

How To Write The Message Itself

A large part of successful voicemail marketing is writing the message. Prospects listen to your voicemail and decide within three seconds whether they want to listen to the whole thing. You need to get your point across quickly, and let them decide for themselves whether it's worth their time

Your opening should identify you, and give the recipient a reason to listen. This doesn't need to be complicated; a voicemail from "Brightside Roofing, this is Dan, regarding the storm damage on your street," is much better than a generic message. Keep it within thirty seconds, and preferably around twenty. State why you're calling, and what you want the recipient to do next. If you're offering something, make sure the recipient knows how to get it, and repeat it if necessary

Record your message in a way that's natural for you. A little bit of inflection and emotion goes a long way; it's much better to sound unprofessional than it is to read a message in a voice that doesn't sound human. A recipient is likely to dismiss a voicemail that's exceptionally well written, if it's obviously not coming from a person

How Much Does This All Cost

It varies wildly depending on who you ask, and how much you ask. Some platforms charge per message, usually around a few cents. Some have other billing structures, including monthly service fees and charges for extra features. I recommend comparing rates, and considering your own costs in other forms of advertising. Direct mail can be much more expensive, especially when you factor in printing costs. A single piece could be worth a dollar or more, depending on the size and weight.

It shouldn't be done for cheap reasons, but if you're going to do it, it should be done right. A voicemail drop targeting uninterested prospects is a waste of time and money in most cases. A ringless voicemail service is a fast, cheap way to reach out to someone, but it's not a magic bullet. It can have excellent results on the right list, like your previous customers or leads, who you want to stay engaged with. Reaching out to someone who's had interest in your product previously can recover lost revenue, and provide you with a new customer that you would have otherwise missed. Callbacks and conversions should be tracked and calculated at the end of the month, and can speak for themselves

Common Mistakes People Make

I've been through the process several times myself, and have seen others make the same mistakes. I've compiled a short list of things to avoid, based on my own and others' experiences

1. The first thing is timing. Sending a voicemail right when a recipient is likely to be asleep or otherwise unavailable is counterproductive, as they'll be much less likely to respond even if they do see the message. Think about the recipient and what times they're likely to be available. Avoid holidays, if possible, and focus on weekdays. Weekday mornings or evenings tend to be safer options

2. Another common issue is contacting the same recipient too often. Touch base once or twice a week, at most. Calling more than that is akin to pestering, and will turn prospects off

3. A third issue is a lack of clear call to action. Simply stating that you wanted to touch base isn't enough; you need to tell them what to do next. Make sure you include something in the message telling the recipient what to do, like call a number, reply to a text, or visit a website

4. The last issue is a failure to follow up. The voicemail is your doorstep, and the recipient has to knock if they want to meet you. If they call back, make sure you answer promptly, and don't keep them waiting. Waiting until the next day to respond is an excellent way to lose a sale

Conclusion

Conclusion

I've explained everything that I think is important, and am now going to conclude this piece. A voicemail drop can be a great way to reach out to someone, if you have a valid reason to do so. When done right, it can be a quick, cheap way to send a message. In many ways, it's exactly what it sounds like; a message is dropped off in a recipient's voicemail inbox, without their phone ringing. It's a great way to reach out to someone without demanding their time to answer an unexpected call.

However, it's not a magic bullet. It should always be used with consent, and care should be taken to follow legal guidelines. The message should be brief, and should contain a clear call to action. Testing should be done before scaling up a campaign. Following these simple steps, and a voicemail drop can be a valuable tool in your arsenal, to help with sales without consuming too much of your time.

If you'd like to learn more about how voicemail drops work or have questions about getting started, you can find additional information at www.dropdialer.com or contact the team at getsupport@dropdialer.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a voicemail drop?

A voicemail drop is a message that is delivered directly to a recipient's voicemail inbox, without having to ring their phone.

Is ringless voicemail legal?

It can be legal, depending on the recipient and where you're sending it. In the United States, these messages are often subject to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and permission should be secured before sending.

How much does ringless voicemail cost?

It's typically priced per message, and can range around a few cents. Several factors influence this figure, and most platforms have different billing structures. Compare prices across services, and make sure you're not spending more than it's worth.

Do people listen to these messages?

People do listen to these messages. A properly written voicemail can greatly influence the recipient. Generic or overly sales-y messages are often skipped, and should be avoided

Can I send a ringless voicemail to landlines or cell phones?

Most services focus on cell phones, as most landlines don't have voicemail systems connected to them. Delivery rates vary from carrier to carrier, so run a small test before sending a large message

What time should I send a voicemail drop?

Weekdays, preferably in the morning or evening hours. Avoid hours that the recipient is likely to be asleep, and never on holidays

How long should my voicemail be?

Twenty to thirty seconds is a good target, and the message should be concise. Say who you are, why you're calling, and what you want the recipient to do next. Repeat your phone number at the end