Multi-Touch Outreach Funnel: How to Combine Voicemail, SMS, Email & Retargeting for Maximum ROI

Why One Channel Isn’t Enough Anymore

In today’s noisy marketplace, the average consumer is bombarded with thousands of marketing messages daily. Using only one communication channel whether it’s cold calling, email marketing, or online ads is no longer effective for cutting through the clutter and engaging prospects.

That’s why multi-touch outreach funnels have become essential for successful lead generation and conversion. By reaching potential customers on multiple platforms and with varied messages, businesses create familiarity, build trust, and increase the chances of turning leads into paying customers.

A well-designed multi-touch funnel leverages the strengths of various communication channels, such as ringless voicemail, SMS, email marketing, and retargeting ads, orchestrated in a smart sequence that nurtures leads effectively.

What is a Multi-Touch Outreach Funnel?

A multi-touch outreach funnel is a strategic approach that uses multiple “touchpoints” or interactions spread across different communication channels to engage a lead through their buying journey. Instead of relying on a single point of contact, this method layers messages that reinforce each other, creating a cohesive and compelling experience.

Why Multi-Touch Funnels Work

• Increased Recall: Multiple exposures help prospects remember your brand better.
  
• Higher Engagement: Different channels have different strengths; some people respond better to text, others to voice or visuals.
  
• Better Qualification: By tracking responses across channels, you identify the most interested leads.
  
• Optimized Conversion: Each touch nudges prospects closer to a buying decision.
  

Step 1: Ringless Voicemail: The Non-Intrusive Attention Grabber

Ringless voicemail (RVM) allows businesses to send a pre-recorded voicemail directly to a recipient’s voicemail box without making their phone ring. This is a highly effective way to introduce yourself without being intrusive.

Why Use Ringless Voicemail?

• It’s less annoying than cold calls.
  
• The human voice builds trust and personality.
  
• It cuts through the noise of emails and texts.
  
• Works well for local businesses targeting specific geographies.
  

Crafting Your Voicemail Message

• Keep it brief: 20-30 seconds maximum.
  
• Sound natural and friendly: Avoid sounding like a robot or telemarketer.
  
• State your purpose clearly: Who you are, why you’re calling.
  
• Include a gentle CTA: Invite them to expect a text or email next.
  

Example Voicemail Script

“Hi, this is Sarah from Green Roof Solutions. We’re offering free home roof inspections in your neighborhood this week. I’ll send you a quick text with the details. Hope to connect soon!”

Step 2: SMS Follow-Up: Quick, Direct, and Effective

SMS is one of the most powerful tools in a multi-touch funnel due to its incredibly high open rates, often over 90%. It’s immediate and personal.

When to Send SMS?

Send an SMS shortly after your ringless voicemail drops usually within 5 to 15 minutes to reinforce the message.

What to Include in Your SMS?

• Personalization (name, relevant info).
  
• A direct call-to-action (CTA).
  
• A link to a landing page or offer.
  
• Opt-out instructions for compliance.
  

SMS Example

“Hi John, this is Sarah from Green Roof Solutions. Just left you a voicemail about a free roof inspection this week. Schedule yours here: [link]. Reply STOP to opt-out.”

Step 3: Email Nurture: Educate and Build Trust

Email provides an opportunity to share more detailed information, testimonials, case studies, and offers. Unlike voicemail or SMS, email is ideal for providing value and educating prospects over time.

Creating Your Email Sequence

Plan a series of 3–5 emails spaced out over 1–2 weeks:

1. Welcome/Intro Email
   
2. Problem-Solution Email
   
3. Social Proof Email (Testimonials, Case Studies)
   
4. FAQ or Objection Handling Email
   
5. Final CTA Email
   

Tips for Effective Emails

• Use a clear subject line to increase open rates.
  
• Keep emails mobile-friendly and concise.
  
• Include clear, compelling CTAs.
  
• Use personalization tokens (name, company, etc.).
  
• Track open rates and click-throughs to adjust content.
  

Step 4: Retargeting Ads: Keep Your Brand Front and Center

Not all prospects will respond immediately. Retargeting ads serve as a visual reminder of your brand and offerings, reaching users as they browse other websites, social media platforms, or even streaming services.

Setting Up Retargeting Campaigns

• Use Facebook Pixel, Google Ads remarketing tags, or LinkedIn Insight Tags to track visitors.
  
• Segment your audience based on the funnel stage (clicked email link, visited site, etc.).
  
• Serve tailored ads: introductory offers for new prospects; testimonials or discounts for warmer leads.
  
• Use eye-catching images or short videos for higher engagement.
  

Retargeting Best Practices

• Frequency cap your ads to avoid overexposure.
  
• Test different creatives to find what resonates best.
  
• Use urgency in offers (“Limited time only”) to prompt action.
  

Step 5: Final Touch — Follow-Up SMS or Phone Call

After multiple touches, it’s time for a personal follow-up. This could be a final SMS checking in or a direct phone call from a sales rep.

How to Approach This Step

• Be polite and helpful, no hard sell.
  
• Offer to answer questions or schedule a meeting.
  
• Reference previous messages for continuity.
  
• Use a friendly tone that encourages a response.
  

Automating Your Multi-Touch Funnel

Automation is key to scaling your outreach while maintaining personalization.

Tools That Help Automate

• Drop: Automates ringless voicemail drops and integrates with SMS and email.
  
• Zapier/Integromat: Connect Drop with your CRM, email marketing tools, and ad platforms.
  
• CRMs: HubSpot, Salesforce, or others to track lead activity and manage follow-ups.
  
• Retargeting Platforms: Facebook Ads Manager, Google Ads, LinkedIn Campaign Manager.
  

Example Automated Workflow

1. Upload contact list to Drop.
   
2. Drop sends ringless voicemail.
   
3. SMS sent automatically after voicemail drop.
   
4. Lead added to email sequence via CRM integration.
   
5. Clickers added to retargeting audiences automatically.
   
6. Non-responders receive a personal follow-up call or SMS.
   

Industry-Specific Funnel Ideas

Roofing and Home Services

• Highlight local availability and urgency (weather season, inspection offers).
  
• Use before-and-after images in retargeting ads.
  
• Include testimonials from happy homeowners.
  

Solar Companies

• Emphasize cost savings and environmental benefits.
  
• Offer free consultations or energy audits via email CTA.
  
• Retarget website visitors with calculators or incentive ads.
  

Real Estate and Lending

• Use voicemail to announce new listings or loan rate changes.
  
• SMS to share quick links to listings or loan application forms.
  
• Email drip campaigns educating on the buying process and financial tips.
  

Optimizing Your Multi-Touch Outreach Funnel for Better ROI

To get the most out of your multi-touch outreach funnel, consistent measurement and optimization are crucial. Without tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), your marketing efforts could fall flat, wasting time and budget. Here’s how to effectively measure and fine-tune each channel in your outreach strategy for better lead engagement and higher conversions.

Track Key Metrics for Each Channel

Start by monitoring essential metrics for every communication touchpoint:

• Ringless Voicemail Metrics: Keep an eye on your voicemail drop rate and, if available, the listen rate. These metrics reveal how many messages are successfully delivered to voicemail inboxes and how many prospects actually listen to your message, critical indicators of message effectiveness and campaign reach.
  
• SMS Performance Metrics: SMS marketing boasts some of the highest engagement rates, so tracking open rates, reply rates, and click-through rates (CTR) helps you understand how well your text messages are connecting with your audience and prompting action.
  
• Email Campaign Metrics: For your email nurture sequences, focus on open rates, CTR, and unsubscribe rates. These numbers shed light on how compelling your subject lines and content are, and whether your emails maintain subscriber interest without causing opt-outs.
  
• Retargeting Ads Metrics: Ads are essential to keep your brand top-of-mind. Measure impressions, CTR, and conversion rates to evaluate how effectively your retargeting campaigns capture attention and drive users back to your website or landing page.
  

Pro Tips for Optimizing Your Outreach Funnel

Once you have the data, use it to continuously optimize your campaigns:

• Test Different Voicemail Scripts and CTAs: Vary your voicemail length, tone, and call-to-action to find the combination that resonates most with your target audience and drives engagement.
  
• Experiment with SMS Timing and Messaging Style: Try sending texts at different times of day and using varying language styles from formal to conversational to see what boosts response rates.
  
• A/B Test Email Subject Lines and Content: Split-test various subject lines, email bodies, and CTAs to improve open and click rates while minimizing unsubscribes.
  
• Rotate Retargeting Ads to Avoid Audience Fatigue: Regularly refresh your ad creatives and messaging to keep your retargeting campaigns fresh, relevant, and effective.
  

By leveraging these metrics and optimization tactics, your multi-channel outreach funnel becomes a finely tuned engine consistently attracting, engaging, and converting more leads while maximizing your marketing ROI.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Over-messaging: Bombarding leads can cause opt-outs and damage brand reputation.
  
• Ignoring compliance: Always adhere to TCPA, GDPR, and other regulations.
  
• Poor integration: Without automation, follow-ups can become messy or missed.
  
• Generic messaging: Personalization improves response rates dramatically.
  

Final Thoughts: The Power of a Cohesive Multi-Channel Approach

A multi-touch outreach funnel that combines ringless voicemail, SMS, email, and retargeting provides businesses with a competitive edge by meeting prospects where they are and reinforcing messaging across platforms.

The result?

• Higher engagement
  
• More qualified leads
  
• Increased conversion rates
  
• Efficient use of marketing budget
  

With platforms like Drop, you can easily build and automate such funnels, empowering your sales team and maximizing ROI.

Ready to build your own multi-touch outreach funnel?

Start with a free demo at Drop.co and watch your leads grow!