Write a script people call back
Write the words your voicemail says, keep it inside the length the builder checks, point callers to the right number, and get help with the words.
The script is what your voicemail says. You write it once, on the Voice and message step of the builder, and the voice you chose reads it to every contact. A good voicemail is short, says who is calling and why, and tells people what to do next.
Before you start
To say each contact's own details, upload your list on Audience first. Its columns are the details a script can say. See Merge fields.
Choose how the message is made: A message for each lead or One take for everyone. See A message for each lead, or one take for everyone.
Write the script
In the builder, go to Voice and message.
Under Message, check the mode.
Type in Voicemail script, the way you would say it on the phone. Or, while the box is empty, select an opener under Start from a proven opener: Service reminder or Sales event.
With A message for each lead, add the details you want spoken with the buttons under the script.
What you see
Over the box, how long the voicemail runs ("Aim for 20 to 35 seconds" while it is empty, then "About" and the seconds). Under it, a count of characters against 700. With A message for each lead and more than one contact, the count reads "Longest voicemail:" once every contact is checked, and names that contact.
An opener is written with your business's name and the first name of the voice you picked. Change every word you like.
Keep it the right length
Aim for 20 to 35 seconds. The estimate follows the pace you set. Past 35 seconds the builder says most people listen for 20 to 35, and suggests a trim.
A script needs at least 10 characters before Next opens.
Typing stops at 700 characters of script.
With A message for each lead, the builder checks every contact's voicemail with their details filled in. While it works, the length reads "Checking every contact…". The length shown is the longest voicemail on your list.
Each contact's finished voicemail must be between 10 and 700 characters. If any comes out longer, the builder says how many and names the longest, and Next waits until you shorten the script. A voicemail past that length would not be made.
When one long cell is the cause, such as a note pasted under Vehicle, the notice names the contact, the column and how many characters the cell holds, and offers two buttons. Leave with the contact's name and out (or Leave these with the count and out) sets the contact aside: a notice then says how many are left out, with Put back, and the Audience step lists them with the rows set aside. Don’t say their with the column's name (or Don’t say the long details) leaves that detail out of their voicemail.
With some older voices, a long voicemail is read as two takes joined together, and the join can be heard. When that applies, the builder says how many voicemails reach that length and how much to trim. You can keep it and accept the join.
Point callers to the right number
Every voicemail shows the number it comes from, and that is the number people call back. Say "call us back at this number" rather than reading out a phone number.
If your script reads out a phone number that is not the one the voicemail shows, the builder warns This number is not the one they see. A call to that other number never reaches your campaign line, so it is missing from this campaign's callbacks. The callbacks a campaign counts say it plainly: "Counts calls to that number only."
Read the warning. It names the number in your script and the number the voicemail shows.
Select Use “this number” instead. The builder replaces the number in your script with the words "this number".
See Callbacks.
What a script must be
Truthful.
Clear about who is calling: the business, named accurately.
Free of anything unlawful.
Our team reviews every campaign before it sends, unless your store chose Send on my own. If something in the script needs to change, the campaign comes back as Needs changes with our note on it. See How review works and What we won't send.
Get help with the words
The round button at the bottom right of the builder opens Ask the assistant. It can write scripts for your business and check your list, and you choose what to use. It never signs, submits or spends anything. The builder keeps your draft while you are there. See Ask the assistant.
Prefer a person? On the help page, Build it with us has Write the script with me: tell the team the offer, and they draft it. See Get help from the team.
Good to know
Voicemails are read in English today. If you need French, ask the team at contact@thecallguy.ca.
You never read the campaign script aloud yourself. The voice reads it. The only script you read aloud is the short one for recording your voice.
Hear it before you go on: Hear it before anyone else.
A script that will not let you continue is covered in My script won't continue.
Related
Last updated October 21, 2026
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