Ringless voicemail (RVM) uses server-to-server communication, which works through adaptive signaling technology[1].

In practice, the sender records a voice message and creates a list of contacts to send it to. The ringless voicemail system then sends the recording directly to the phone carrier’s voicemail server, so it is not stored on the recipient’s device. As a result, the recipient will see that they have a voicemail waiting even though their phone did not ring and they won’t have received any missed call alerts.

Ringless voicemail allows the sender to bypass the steps of dialing, calling, and waiting to leave voicemails for multiple contacts.

Ringless voicemail is often associated with “voicemail drops.”

Does Ringless Voicemail Technology Work on Landlines?

While primarily directed at mobile phones, ringless voicemail does work on landlines as well.

Ringless voicemails are usually sent to mobile numbers, but can also be used to deliver pre-recorded audio messages to landlines with voicemail capabilities. However, landlines usually make a brief sound when a voicemail is received, so one cannot deliver a ringless voicemail to a landline without noise.

Despite this, ringless voicemail can still be used to deliver messages to landline owners without the need to dial, call, and wait.

How Much Does Ringless Voicemail Cost?

The cost of a voicemail drop ranges from one cent to 10, depending on the service provider. Cost may also depend on features used, such as international message delivery or interactive voice response.

Normally, these prices apply to pay-as-you-go models where one can buy RVM credits in small increments.

To send voicemail drops in bulk, a subscription may be more cost-effective. These plans are sold at a fixed price that comes with a voicemail sending limit, which can be thousands of messages. The subscriber may purchase additional credits if the cap is insufficient.

RVM marketing is the use of voicemail messages in marketing campaigns. RVM lets marketers engage with leads and commence a sales cycle without being intrusive and adds an element of trust and personality due to the customers hearing the marketer’s or the seller’s voice.

Ringless voicemail is often considered a great way to deliver transactional messages. Many marketers use it to:

• Notify new newsletter signees.
• Welcome new customers.
• Confirm appointments.
• Give attendees reminders about events.
• Update subscribers regarding changes.

In addition, voicemail drops may make sense for:

• Rewarding top customers with discounts and coupons[2].
• Informing contacts about promotional offers.
• Sending holiday greetings[3].

How Effective Are Ringless Voicemail Drops?

RVM has one of the highest open and response rates.

Although ringless voicemail can be effective, it does not guarantee success. It is not difficult to learn, but it takes practice to master the art of delivering ringless voicemails consistently and effectively.

Here are some common mistakes that novice marketers make when using ringless voicemail:

• Making the voicemail message too complicated.
• Not personalizing the message[4].
• Creating pre-recorded messages with no script.
• Hiring a professional voice actor to record the message.
• Sounding robotic in the recording.
• Choosing a tone that does not fit the message.
• Using clichéd closing lines.
• Going with lackluster calls-to-action.
• Forgetting to include contact information.
• Sending overly long recordings.
• Relying solely on RVM.
• Dropping voicemails any time of the day.

RELATED: Text Marketing 101 for Land Investors

Real estate professionals use RVM marketing to improve their chances of converting leads. This is a passive approach to direct marketing with the people on an agency’s contact lists.

One way is using ringless voicemails to reach out to prospects who refuse to pick up calls. Agents turn to RVM to explain what the call was supposed to be about and request a callback.

Ringless messages can also come in handy when engaging with existing and past clients. For example, agents can suggest similar local properties to active leads or remind them of important information related to the mortgage process.

Likewise, voicemail drops can be a stress-free way to touch base with former clients who just put their property back on the market.

BY THE NUMBERS: More than 9 in 10 business calls go to voicemail.

Source: The Future of Things

There are federal-level regulations regarding the use of ringless voicemail for marketing purposes.

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act[5] does not explicitly prohibit the use of RVM. However, recent court rulings suggest that such messages are essentially phone calls (though RVM companies protest otherwise). They are also under scrutiny in the U.S. Senate[6].

For this reason, critics say that ringless voicemail technology should be subject to TCPA’s restrictions that apply to automatic telephone dialing systems[7].

In response, the Federal Communications Commission has declared that voicemail drops must be done within robocalling rules[8]. In other words, the RVM sender violates laws if they deliver messages to voicemail boxes without prior consent from the recipient[9].

BY THE NUMBERS: Every TCPA violation could set the offender back up to $1,500[10].

Source: The National Law Review

• RVM is a way to send messages to voicemail inboxes without causing the phone to ring, eliminating the need to dial, call, and wait before being able to leave a message.
• RVM does work on landlines with a voicemail feature, but the arrival of the message may still trigger a sound. This type of customer communication functions best when leaving voice messages on a mobile phone.
• RVM marketing is gaining steam because it is convenient, cheap, and scalable.
• Voicemail drops have high open and response rates, making them a super effective marketing medium and a good complement to more established channels like SMS.
• Dropping ringless voicemails is legal, but the FCC has said that such an activity must be done according to the TCPA.

1. Are Ringless Voicemail Drops Legal or Not? (2022, June 14.) Shamis & Gentile, P.A. Retrieved from https://sflinjuryattorneys.com/are-ringless-voicemail-drops-legal-or-not/
2. Edwards, D. (2021, May 10.) 7 benefits of a personalized marketing content strategy. TechTarget. Retrieved from https://www.techtarget.com/searchcustomerexperience/feature/7-benefits-of-a-personalized-marketing-content-strategy
3. Zimmermann, K. (2022, October 18.) Deal or No Deal: Are Coupons Good for Business? BusinessNewsDaily. Retrieved from https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/1002-coupon-effect-business.html
4. Rodela, J. (2022, August 5.) 10 Ways to Show Your Customers Appreciation During the Holidays. The Ascent. Retrieved from https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/small-business/customer-service/articles/holiday-message-to-customers/
5. Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) compliance. (n.d.) Experian. Retrieved from https://www.experian.com/business/solutions/regulatory-compliance/tcpa-compliance
6. Cappetta, M. & Kent, J. (2017, June 16.) Robocalls Hijacking Your Voicemail Is ‘Invasive and Abusive,’ Say Lawmakers. NBC News. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/robocalls-hijacking-your-voicemail-invasive-abusive-say-lawmakers-n772941
7. Caires, E., Grant, A., Tank, M., & Whitaker, D. (2021, April 29.) TCPA: The Supreme Court narrows definition of ATDS, but pitfalls remain. DLA Piper. Retrieved from https://www.dlapiper.com/en-us/insights/publications/2021/04/tcpa-the-supreme-court-narrows-definition-of-atds-but-pitfalls-remain
8. FCC Declares ‘Ringless Voicemails’ Are Subject to Robocalling Rules. (2022, November 21.) FCC. Retrieved from https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-declares-ringless-voicemails-are-subject-robocalling-rules
9. Goretzka, D. (2022, September 9.) The writing is on the wall for ringless voicemails. Automotive News. Retrieved from https://www.autonews.com/retail/ringless-voicemails-skirt-law-say-experts
10. Troutman, E. (2022, November 10.) “PEACE” AND “ZEN” FOR TREES–“COLD CALLS” FOR PEOPLE: New TCPA Complaint Alleges Tree Care Company Harassed and Mocked Consumers on Cold Telemarketing Calls. The National Law Review. Retrieved from https://www.natlawreview.com/article/peace-and-zen-trees-cold-calls-people-new-tcpa-complaint-alleges-tree-care-company