What is an example of an effective voice mail?

Building out from Michael's point on "intrigue" and brevity, add a counter-intuitive view, a mix of media, (e-mail and phone), and you can leverage human nature and behavioural expectations. That is both e-mail and voice mail need to be focused on generating a return call, nothing else. Most voice mail messages not only have too much content, but the wrong content.

You can turn up the "intrigue" factor by adding some red meat in the form of mystery, by "referencing" a third party to peek the listener's curiosity to the point where they want to solve the mystery; the only and most direct way to do that is to call you back. It really is about knowing what you want from the VM, which is a call back, then leveraging human nature and momentum, not at all about content.

You can see get the full break down and examples you can look at http://bit.ly/rsS9pV

Craig, This has worked like a charm for me for 20 years to receive call backs for cold call phoning of prospects. I've also trained hundreds of sales representatives who have used this successfully. You need to know that this is ONLY for prospects to which you have never met or spoken with. First of all, do not say Good morning, afternoon or evening! Obviously, it helps if you know the person's name, their position and if they are a decision maker for your own reference. Use your first name only and do not use your company name. If you want, dial *67 first before calling to block your number. There are many reasons for doing this. Here's the simple, but effective script:

"Hi Amy this is Joe. My number is 555-555-1212. I heard some really good things about your business and I would like to ask you a couple of quick questions. There's no problem, just have a couple of quick questions. Again, my number is 555-555-1212.
I only need about 3 minutes. Again, my name is Joe. 555-555-1212.

That's it. Give your number in the beginning in case your voice mail time expires. Don't say thank you at the end either, because it sounds like a "sales call". Again, the reason you don't want to say Good morning, etc. is because you don't want to sound like a "sales rep".
DISCLAIMER: This is for receiving call backs on "cold" prospects only. When you do get a call back, you had better be prepared to ask the “right” questions and then ask permission to continue your conversation. What to say on a call back is dependant upon what you are looking to achieve. That should be your whole new QUESTION. You did not specify if you were leaving a voice mail for someone you've met with or know or what product or service you offer. Sometimes it is good to ask a question in this forum with more detailed info so your answer will be more specific. There are hundreds of techniques out there for voice mail messages given the many sales scenarios. Give some more details about what you're looking to accomplish and I am sure you'll get some other great answers from the pros on this site. Best of luck to you! Keep on dialing for dollars. Sales is a numbers game.

This has worked without fail: "Jim, It's Michael Rosenberg at Mindjet. I need your help. Give me a call at 415-xxx-xxxx"

Within 2 hours I'll usually get a call back. Be prepared to ask for help. Where the conversation goes from there is up to you and the questions you ask. I will typically ask for help navigating to the right people because I see a problem in their business I may be able to help solve.

I love Mike Damphousse's example (posted one hour previous). We used to work together, and he's a pro.

Mike may differ here, but my approach is to research for about 10 minutes - - more, if it's a kingpin. Then, I call leave a similar message as Mike might, but my email is on-target, based on the prospect company's advertised openings, recent defections, competitor announcements etc. I'll usually use the same theme in my phone message as in my email message, to connect the dots in the mind of my target exec.

Try themes like: "Growing the company". As nebulous as that may sound, it's exactly what every exec is charged to do. I have three new concurrent client engagements resulting from this strategy.

Ed, very interesting. Can you give the fulls sample - and take out names to protect the innocent and the guilty?

The answer to this question depends on what you are trying to accomplish. An appointment, as an example, is not a fully qualified, sales-ready opportunity. So, if the objective is to get an appointment the approach Michael suggests probably works. I always come back to the sales process when I look at elements of a calling (or any other) campaign. The steps in a sales process are:

1. Find a pain or need.
2. Get agreement that there is a pain or need.
3. Get agreement that something needs to be and will be done.
4. Agree to a generic solution.
5. Agree to a customized, specific solution.

I don't want to talk to, and for the most part our clients don't want to talk to, someone who is willing to have a conversation, but may or may not have actionable pain and/or authority. So, my objective in engaging in even the first conversation is finding actionable pain or need.

I also strongly believe that voicemails and emails need to be orchestrated over a period of time to educate, build credibility and ultimately create interest. That means that no single voicemail or email suffices.

A series of related, educational, motivational and interest generating emails need to be built - AND, even a single client might need a customized series of "touches" for each vertical, size of company, level and function of decision-maker, etc.

There are some really good thoughts here (and some not so good thoughts), but I think the direction of this string is tending to over-simplify the process.