Cold calling is an integral part of the freight sales process, and leaving voicemails is a crucial step in reaching freight prospects. With busy schedules and increased reliance
on digital communication, getting your voicemail noticed and compelling prospects to return your call can be challenging. I discuss five essential tips below for freight agents when leaving voicemails, and also add insightful statistics at the bottom around voicemails in freight sales. 1)
Be Prepared And Purposeful Effective voicemails begin with thorough preparation and a clear purpose. Before making a call, research the prospect and their organization to understand their pain points, industry trends, and potential opportunities for
collaboration. Having a well-defined purpose for your call allows you to craft a compelling voicemail tailored to the freight prospect's
needs. 2) Keep It Short And Engaging Time is a precious commodity, so it's important to respect your
freight prospects' time by keeping your voicemail concise and engaging. According to research, the optimal length for a voicemail is between 20 and 30 seconds. Craft a compelling hook within the first few seconds to capture their attention and entice them to continue listening. 3) Personalize And Show Empathy Generic voicemails are easily dismissed as impersonal and
irrelevant. To stand out, personalize your message by referencing specific details about the freight prospect's company, recent news, or industry
challenges. Demonstrate empathy by showing an understanding of their pain points and offering a potential solution that addresses their specific
needs. 4) Provide A Clear Call To Action Make it easy for your freight prospects to take the next step by providing a clear call to action. Instead of leaving an open-ended voicemail, direct them towards a specific action, such as scheduling a meeting, or exploring a valuable
resource. By guiding their next move, you increase the likelihood of receiving an actual response from them. 5) Follow Up Strategically Persistence is key in freight sales, so don't be discouraged if you
don't receive an immediate response. Plan a strategic follow-up process that includes multiple attempts to reach the prospect. Leave voicemails at different times of the day and on different days of the week to increase your chances of getting
through. Be patient and persistent while maintaining a professional and friendly tone throughout the follow-up process. Here Are Some Voicemail Statistics in Freight Sales: - According to a study by RingDNA, it takes an average of 8 attempts to reach a
freight prospect via phone.
- The ideal time to leave a voicemail is between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., with the highest response rates during this
period.
- Personalized voicemails have a 22% higher callback rate compared to generic ones.
- Voicemails that mention a referral have a callback rate of 11% higher than those without.
Leaving effective voicemails during cold calls is a critical skill. By following these five tips, being prepared, engaging, personalizing the message, providing clear calls to action, and strategically
following up, you significantly improve your chances of getting a response. Remember, success in freight sales is not an overnight achievement. It requires consistent effort,
perseverance, and a genuine desire to help your freight customers succeed. Happy brokering! |