If you’re an SDR, AE, or anyone stuck making dozens of cold calls a day, you know the grind: most of your calls go to voicemail. Manually leaving the same message over and over isn’t just boring—it’s a complete waste of your time. That’s where automating voicemail drops can help. This guide is for anyone using Orum, or thinking about it, who wants to stop burning hours on mindless repetition and focus on actual conversations.
No fluff, no tech jargon—just a straightforward walkthrough of how to set up voicemail drops in Orum, what to watch out for, and how to make the most of it (without shooting yourself in the foot).
Why bother automating voicemail drops at all?
Let’s be honest: most voicemails left on cold calls get ignored. But there’s still a case for leaving them:
- Some people actually do call back (shocking, I know).
- It makes your outreach seem more human and persistent.
- You get to control the message—no more rambling, inconsistent voicemails.
But if you’re dialing at scale, leaving voicemails by hand is a time sink. Automating this step with Orum means you can move on to the next call instantly, without waiting for the beep or stumbling over your words.
What you’ll need
- An active Orum account with voicemail drop enabled (check your plan—some features are gated).
- A pre-recorded voicemail file (more on this below).
- A call list loaded into Orum.
- A decent headset and microphone for recording (optional, but it helps).
Step 1: Record a good voicemail message
Before you touch any settings, you need a voicemail worth sending. Here’s what actually works:
- Keep it short: 15–20 seconds is plenty.
- Avoid sounding like a robot: Even though it’s automated, people can tell if you’re reading a script.
- Say your name, company, and a reason to call back: Don’t just say “call me”—give them a hook.
- Don’t oversell: Voicemails aren’t for pitching. They’re for getting a call back or an email.
Pro tip: Record on your phone or computer, but listen back. If you sound bored or rushed, do it again.
Example voicemail script
“Hi, this is Alex from ACME Widgets. I know you’re busy, but I’ve got a quick idea that could save your team some time. If you’re open to it, give me a call back at 555-123-4567. Hope to connect!”
Step 2: Upload your voicemail to Orum
Orum lets you upload a pre-recorded voicemail, which you’ll “drop” when you hit voicemail on a call. Here’s how:
- Log into Orum.
- Go to your user settings or profile. (Look for “Voicemail Drop” or similar—Orum moves things around sometimes.)
- Find the voicemail upload section.
- Upload your audio file. MP3 or WAV usually works. Double-check the format if you get an error.
- Name your voicemail. Something simple like “Cold Outreach June 2024.”
What doesn’t work: - Don’t upload a 2-minute sales pitch. Short and sweet wins. - Don’t use a low-quality recording. If it sounds like you called from a bathroom, redo it.
Heads up: Orum doesn’t always support multiple voicemail drops per user unless you’re on a higher-tier plan.
Step 3: Set up your call session
Before dialing, make sure your settings are correct:
- Upload your call list. Make sure numbers are formatted right. Orum can be picky—if you see errors, check for missing area codes or weird characters.
- Test your audio. Play your voicemail drop back to yourself. Sometimes uploads glitch, and you don’t want to find out mid-call.
- Review your workflow. Are you calling cell phones or landlines? Some voicemails never trigger on cell phones with certain carriers—nothing you can do about it.
Step 4: Drop the voicemail automatically (or almost)
Orum isn’t magic—it can’t always tell the difference between a live person and a voicemail. Here’s how it works in real life:
- When you hit voicemail: Orum will usually detect the beep. You’ll see a “Drop Voicemail” or similar button pop up.
- Click to drop: Hit the button, and Orum plays your recording, then automatically moves to the next call. You don’t need to wait until it finishes playing.
- Move on immediately: Once you drop, you’re free to start your next call.
What actually saves time: - You can make 2–3x as many calls per hour. - No more repeating yourself or waiting for voicemails to finish. - You sound more consistent and professional.
What doesn’t work perfectly: - Orum’s beep detection isn’t 100%. Sometimes it misfires (especially with custom voicemail greetings). - If you drop too early (before the beep), your message might get cut off. - Some systems have “voicemail jail”—long intros or weird menus. You’ll still need to pay attention and drop at the right time.
Step 5: Track results (don’t just “set and forget”)
Automation isn’t magic. You’ll want to see if your voicemails are actually getting callbacks or moving the needle.
- Check your call analytics in Orum. Look for callbacks, pickup rates, and trends.
- A/B test different voicemail scripts. Change up your message every few weeks and see what works.
- Ask leads who get back to you: “By the way, did you get my voicemail?” It’s a quick way to see if your message is landing.
Don’t waste time: If you see zero callbacks after hundreds of voicemails, rethink your script or consider skipping voicemails for certain lists.
Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
- Sounding like a robot: If your message sounds canned, people will delete it. Be conversational, even if it’s recorded.
- Not updating your voicemail: Outdated info (“I’m at Dreamforce this week!”) makes you look sloppy.
- Dropping at the wrong time: Wait for the beep. If you’re not sure, practice on your own voicemail.
- Thinking voicemail is a silver bullet: It’s not. Most people still won’t call back. That’s fine—just don’t rely on it as your main channel.
What to ignore
- Overly complicated setups: Don’t bother with three different voicemail messages for every persona. One solid, general message works for 90% of cases.
- Expensive tools that promise “AI-powered” voicemail drops: Orum’s built-in system is fast and reliable. You don’t need another layer unless you have a weird use case.
- Scripts written by marketing: Use your own words, or at least rewrite them so they sound like you.
Pro tips for better results
- Batch your call sessions: Set aside a block of time to hammer out calls with voicemail drops. Context switching kills productivity.
- Keep improving your script: If you’re not getting bites, tweak your message. You’ll know when you hit on one that works.
- Follow up by email: Reference your voicemail in a quick email—sometimes that gets through when calls don’t.
Keep it simple (and keep moving)
Automating voicemail drops in Orum saves serious time, but don’t overthink it. Record a decent message, upload it, and get dialing. Adjust as you go—don’t expect miracles, just a faster workflow and fewer headaches. Focus on having real conversations when someone does pick up, and let automation handle the rest.