In my messages i am missing creativity and humor. To really stand out and make a prospect take action to you over another it is important to shift the emotional button and almost surprise the prospect. I am going to write some more interested, Outside the box, type messages.
I realize that my voicemail messages have become stale because I always leave the same message. I need to come up with ways to change up the messages especially since I try calling potential students multiple times. Doesn't look good for me to leave the exact same message every time. Listening to the examples I realize I need to be more enthusiastic about them inquiring interest such as adding " I am thrilled you filled out the information form.." Got some great ideas on how to improve my voicemail messages.
Linda, it sounds like you are taking a step back to evaluate your effectiveness in working with your students when leaving voicemails. This can be difficult, so don't be too hard on yourself. The great news is that the awareness you gain by doing so can offer ideas on specific areas that you'd like to improve, like voicemail messages. What might you say in one of your new voicemail messages to reach your students?
Dr. Jean Norris
I do everything wrong in a voicemail. I must learn to give them a reason for my call, give them a sense of urgency, ask them to call me back not just leave a number. I didn't know I was that bad at leaving messages. I need to put the 4 C's in use.
Connie, great job here. It sounds like you had some great "take-aways" from this course. Please keep us informed as you use this new technique.
Dr. Jean Norris
I say you can call us at our # instead of saying to please call me back at our #. I do repeat the number twice. I don't use a sense of urgency or what is in it for them. Must change my voicemail technique
From this training course I have noticed several things that were missing from my voicemail messages. I need to include what's in it for the person I am calling. I need to tell them what action to take and not ask them. I also need to give them alternate ways to contact me and not just a phone number. In the future I will incorporate those items into my voicemails.
Julie,
Thanks for sharing your experience! It sounds like you are making a cognizant choice to do something a little different and are seeing positive results, which is great. Keep up the great work.
Shannon Gormley
My issue is speed. I talk fast. I have learned to slow it down and relax when leaving messages. When I do this, I can truely be excited rather than simply trying to get another appointment. I have been using the techniques from the module and have had great results. I am still tweaking though so it sounds like me.
Ernesto,
Glad you found that suggestion helpful! Good luck with your future voicemail messages.
Shannon Gormley
i truly believe i need to use humor and think about whats in it for them.. that surely was a good advice
Darlene,
Thanks for sharing your approach. It sounds like you try to offer proactive assistance to continue the connection that has been established. What are some other creative ideas that you have for leaving voicemails?
Shannon Gormley
I will give some sort of time frame for them to call me back, like mentioning the hours I wil be in the office today and when I will be in the office the following day...and depending on the purpose of my call I may mention the next class start date.
Wonderful insight, Darlene. It sounds like this course has helped spark an awareness regarding the voicemail messages you leave. You mentioned that you typcially create a sense of urgency when meeting with prospective students face to face. How might you "tweak" this for your voicemail messages?
Shannon Gormley
I don't really create a sense of urgency in my voice messages. That is unusual for me, because I do use a sense of urgency when I am directly speaking to the student. I am going to start leaving a time frame or some "sense of urgency" with my voice messages depending on what my message is pertaining to.
Erin, that is a great awareness. Now that you know this and you have a plan for moving forward, you can implement those new steps of leaving a more concise message. Let us know how that works for you.
Shannon Gormley
I tend to provide too much information during the voicemail message. I need to be more concise and to the point. I think I get carried away with trying to provide all the information possible in the message versus convincing the potential student to call back, and then deliver the information.
Great observation, Joshua. As I shared with another participant, many reps state that this is an area that is consistently left out of their messages. It might be helpful to craft a quick WIIFM statement for your student before making your phone call based on what you already know about the student.
Thanks for sharing, Sharon. This is a part that many reps confess to missing in their voicemails. What might you do, moving forward, to ensure you include the WIIFM for your student?
Great observations, Heather! Many times it's the little details that are most helpful to the students. I'm also hearing that you plan to offer additional ways to connect with you besides the phone. That's great as it gives you an opportunity to connect with your student in a different way.
