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Context does matter here. If the caller would reasonably expect you to answer the phone (such as if they were calling a store or other place of business), an apology for not being able to get to the phone makes the most sense.

Timing is everything. The moment you receive the lead alert is the best time to make the follow-up call. If you call them days later, your chances of getting them on the phone are greatly diminished. By calling them right away, you’ll talk to more leads which will inevitably boosts sales. Role-play your voicemail scripts so you sound like you’re making your 20th call, not your 1st. Ask your friends and colleagues for honest feedback on your voicemail scripts. Continually review what’s working and what isn’t -- there’s always room for improvement. If you have the lead’s email address, follow up with an email, and let them know in the voicemail you’re going to do so. If you don’t have an email, let them know you’ll follow up with a text.
Voice mail on a cell phone works similarly to a message machine for a land line, as callers are able to leave voice messages in an in-box for the recipient to listen to at a later time.