Telephone prospecting is a subtle art, combining strategy, timing and psychology (https://reetch.ca/prospection-telephonique/). One question often divides salespeople: should you leave a voicemail when a prospect doesn’t answer?
Some think it’s a waste of time. Others believe that a well-formulated message can make all the difference. So, who’s right? Let’s take a look at what the data says, and how to leverage it for your sales strategy.
- The numbers speak for themselves: voicemails increase callback rates
Several B2B prospecting studies confirm a clear trend: prospects are 30 to 40% more likely to call back after a clear, personalized voice message.
Indeed, a well-designed voice message humanizes your approach and sets you apart from the hundreds of automated calls you receive every week. It creates a memorable record of your visit and encourages prospects to take an interest in your offer – especially if the message is short, to the point and value-oriented.
Key data from commercial analyses :
80% of prospecting calls go to voicemail.
Sales reps who leave a personalized message get up to 22% more responses.
Messages under 20 seconds generate the best recall rate.
- Why voice messaging still works in 2025
Despite the rise of digital, voice remains a highly differentiating channel. A voice message creates an immediate human connection, especially in a context where the majority of interactions take place via email or LinkedIn.
The voice message allows you to :
Show your credibility and professionalism.
Convey emotions and confidence that an email doesn’t.
Give the prospect a clear reason to call you back.
In short: a good voice message is like a short, personalized and engaging talking business card.
- Mistakes to avoid
Many voicemails fail, not because the technique is bad, but because they’re poorly executed. Here are the main mistakes to avoid:
❌ Doing a sales monologue: a voicemail is not a product presentation. It should arouse curiosity, not say everything.
❌ Be too long: more than 25 seconds, and you lose the prospect’s attention.
❌ Don’t mention a clear reason for calling back: always end with an action (“I’ll call you back tomorrow”, “You can reach me at…”).
❌ Lack of personalization: if the message seems generic, it will be ignored.
- The REETCH method: voicemail + omnichannel follow-up
At REETCH, we use voice messages as a complementary lever in our omnichannel prospecting campaigns.
Our approach is based on 3 pillars:
Precise targeting: we identify the right decision-makers before the call using qualified databases and segmentation (we also market prospecting lists optimized for your business sector https://reetch.ca/acheter-liste-de-prospects/ ).
Strategic voice messages: short, punchy, and always customized to the prospect’s sector or problem.
Multi-channel follow-up: after the voice message, the prospect receives a follow-up email or LinkedIn message consistent with the message content.
🎯 The result: an average 30% increase in response rate, and improved conversation quality from the very first contact.
- Should I always leave a voice message?
The answer depends on the context:
Yes, if the prospect is targeted, qualified and you have real value to offer.
No, if your list is too large or unsegmented: you risk wasting time on irrelevant leads.
In any case, the voice message remains a strategic tool, especially when integrated into a structured, measurable prospecting process.
Conclusion:
The data are clear: leaving a voicemail message increases the chances of getting a callback or engagement. But to be effective, it needs to be short, personalized and integrated into an omnichannel strategy (email, LinkedIn, CRM, telephone follow-up).
At REETCH, we help B2B companies set up high-performance prospecting campaigns. By combining technology, targeting and a human approach, REETCH helps sales teams obtain more qualified appointments and turn each call into a concrete opportunity.
