If you’re in outbound sales, you know the grind: endless lists, voicemails, and waiting for someone—anyone—to pick up. If you’re looking for a way to actually talk to prospects instead of just staring at your dialer, this is for you. This guide will help you get the most out of the Orum parallel dialer—without wasting time or falling for sales tech hype.
Whether you’re a rep looking to up your call game or a manager trying to get your team making more connects, here’s how to use Orum to get actual results (not just “activity metrics”).
1. Understand What Orum Does—and What It Doesn’t
Before you start clicking buttons, get clear on what Orum can (and can’t) do. Orum is a parallel dialer: it calls multiple numbers at once, connects you to whoever picks up, and drops voicemails automatically. The goal is simple—cut dead time and increase live conversations.
What Orum actually helps with: - Dials up to 10 numbers at once, so you spend less time waiting for answers. - Automates voicemail drops—no more repeating the same “Sorry I missed you” all day. - Integrates with standard CRMs and sales tools—mostly painless to set up.
What Orum doesn’t do: - It won’t write your pitch, handle objections, or magically make prospects buy. - It won’t fix a bad list or make uninterested people suddenly love cold calls. - It can’t completely eliminate spam detection or call blocking (more on that later).
Bottom line: Orum is a force-multiplier for good process and skill. If your calls are bad or your list is junk, you’ll just do more of the wrong thing, faster.
2. Prep Your Data, or You’re Wasting Your Time
No tool can rescue you from a bad list. Orum dials what you feed it. That means:
- Clean your lists: Remove duplicates, dead numbers, and obviously bad data.
- Segment by persona or industry: Group leads so you can tailor your opening.
- Validate numbers: Use a number validation tool (never trust old CRM exports blindly).
- Check for DNC compliance: Don’t risk fines—scrub against Do Not Call lists.
Pro tip: Spend 10 minutes fixing your list before a session, not after. It pays off in way less frustration and more actual conversations.
3. Set Up Orum the Right Way
You don’t need to be a tech wizard, but a little setup goes a long way. Here’s what to focus on:
- Connect your CRM: Sync with Salesforce, HubSpot, or whatever you use. Make sure updates flow both ways.
- Set up caller IDs: Rotate numbers if you can, but don’t get greedy—too many numbers can trigger spam filters.
- Record your voicemail drops: Make it clear, short, and not robotic. Don’t try to be clever; just say who you are and why you called.
- Adjust parallel dials cautiously: Start with 2-3 lines at once. Only ramp up if you’re comfortable and not dropping calls or getting overwhelmed.
What to ignore: Fancy reporting dashboards or “AI” suggestions. Focus on call connects and outcomes, not vanity metrics.
4. Start Small, Then Ramp Up
Jumping in with max parallel dials sounds tempting—it’s not smart. Here’s why:
- You can miss live connects if you’re not ready. Orum will connect you instantly, often when you least expect it.
- If you’re not used to the pace, you’ll sound flustered. Prospects notice.
- You risk dropped calls if you can’t keep up.
How to ease in: - Start with 2-3 lines in parallel. Get used to the rhythm. - Pay attention to how fast you recover between calls. - Only increase if you’re keeping your energy and pitch consistent.
Real talk: More lines = more connects, but only if you can handle it. Don’t let FOMO push you into chaos.
5. Nail Your Opener—You Get Less Time
Parallel dialers mean more pickups, but also more abrupt starts. You’ve got less than 5 seconds to not get hung up on. This isn’t the place for drawn-out intros.
Tips for a solid opener: - Use their name right away. - Be upfront: “Hey [Name], this is [You]—I know this is a cold call. Do you have a quick minute?” - No fake familiarity or “How are you today?”—people can smell a script. - If you get a gatekeeper, be polite but direct: “Is [Name] available?”
What doesn’t work: Overly clever hooks, long intros, or pretending it’s not a cold call.
6. Handle Voicemail Drops Like a Human
Orum automates voicemail drops, but that doesn’t mean you should sound like a robot. You’ll get more callbacks if your message is short and doesn’t sound mass-produced.
Voicemail best practices: - State your name and company, and a real reason for your call. - Keep it under 20 seconds. - Don’t ask for a call back—give them a reason to check their email or expect another call.
Sample script:
“Hi [Name], this is [You] at [Company]. I’m calling because I have a quick idea that could help with [specific thing]. I’ll follow up by email—thanks.”
Skip: Gimmicky messages, jokes, or “just checking in.” People are busy.
7. Watch Out for Spam Flags and Call Blocking
Parallel dialers are notorious for triggering spam warnings if you’re not careful. Here’s how to minimize that risk:
- Use branded caller ID if available. Some services (like Hiya, First Orion) let you register your number.
- Don’t rotate numbers too aggressively. Stick with a few consistent lines.
- Avoid short, repeated calls to the same numbers. It looks suspicious.
- Monitor your caller ID reputation. Tools like NumberVerifier or free lookup sites can help.
If you get flagged as spam: Pause, swap out that number, and reach out to the phone carrier to dispute if needed. Don’t just keep blasting—your connect rates will crater.
8. Track Real Outcomes, Not Just Volume
It’s easy to obsess over “dials per hour,” but that’s not what matters. What you want:
- Connect rate: Percentage of calls where you spoke to a real person.
- Conversations per hour: How many actual back-and-forths you had.
- Meetings set or next steps: The real goal.
Ignore: Vanity metrics like “calls made” or “minutes dialed.” They don’t pay the bills.
Pro tip: Review your call recordings—not just numbers. The best insights come from how calls sound, not just how many you made.
9. Keep Your Sessions Short and Focused
More time on the dialer doesn’t always mean more results. Parallel dialing is intense. If you’re running out of energy, your tone will show it—and prospects pick up on that.
- Block time in 60-90 minute sprints. No multitasking.
- Take real breaks. Stand up, stretch, reset.
- Batch your follow-ups. Don’t try to do admin work between calls.
Why this matters: Quality drops fast when you’re tired. Better to do three focused sessions than one marathon slog.
10. Iterate and Adjust—Don’t Set and Forget
What worked last month might flop this month. Orum is just a tool; your audience, lists, and pitch all change over time.
- Try different opener scripts.
- Experiment with dial timing. Early morning, lunchtime, and late afternoon all have pros and cons.
- Regularly review your data. Are some lists better than others? Are you getting more connects on certain days?
- Get feedback from teammates. Share what’s working and what’s not.
What to ignore: One-size-fits-all advice. What works for one team may not work for yours. Test, track, and tweak.
Wrapping Up: Keep It Simple, Keep It Real
Orum can absolutely help you talk to more prospects and book more meetings—if you use it right. Don’t overcomplicate it. Clean your lists, nail your opener, keep your sessions focused, and don’t chase vanity metrics. Start small, see what works for your market, and keep adjusting. Sales is still a contact sport, and no dialer will ever do the work for you. But if you use Orum smartly, you’ll spend less time waiting and more time actually selling.