Get Your VoiceMail Messages Returned!

My Email has been buzzing with issues that keep you up at night. Not surprisingly, finding new business is the number one request. Surprisingly, though, is that a close number 2 is how to get your prospects to return your phone calls!  Your training covers some of the new business stuff, but here’s a sure fire tip to massively increase your call backs. It is quite simple…..

You just ideally have to take advantage of the fact that you are a recruiter! Your product is a person (as is, of course, your prospect). So, ALWAYS (especially with C level or high targets) START your call as a recruiting call! Yes, even if you are calling HR and don’t place HR people. This is great when trying to reach the line. You can easily leave a very cryptic/mysterious message (“Hi, Neil. I was referred to you and thought we ought to talk. I don’t want to leave a message about the subject, please call me back at……”). There is nothing wrong with this and who will NOT want to see what this is all about? When they call, you will explain who you are and why you wanted to be very professional and cautious with them during the message. Recruit them. Make it about them. THEN AFTER, turn it into a marketing call or call back later. The gate will be open! I am surprised how few people do this all of the time!

Again, this is no ruse. My point is that one should always try to turn a marketing call into a recruiting call and also turn a recruiting call into a marketing call. When starting from the recruiting angle, since it will be about them at the beginning, they will be much more apt to speak to you. Your voice mail message should not have any ruse nor any lies. I personally have never left a message that “I am going to recruit you, so please call me”.. I feel it is sensitive and explain that the very second they call me back. I have NEVER had nor seen push back on this. Of course, I have indeed heard of push back when someone tries to do that on a marketing call. There is nothing sensitive about a marketing call, nor can you say that a marketing call is “personal” (which it isn’t). However, you sure can leave a message, if you wish, that a recruiting call is “personal'”, because it is. If you don’t like using “personal”, then use something else.

If this can’t be done or you are indeed marketing someone only, you should still be very cryptic in your message! Let’s face it, people rarely call you back when they know you are going to sell. So, just say something similar to above, but don’t say “it’s personal” (if you are selling). “I have something very time sensitive to talk to you about”.. OR “….. Someone suggested we talk, plea call me back asap”.  I also suggest you leave a mobile number or an unlisted number, because these days, many folk have caller ID on their work lines and if not, they often (as I do) google the number to see who it is before they call. Once they see you are a recruiting firm, the call back ratio will drop massively.

Try it, you’ll like it!

Thanks,

Neil