How to Reactivate Dead Leads with AI Voice Automation (Step-by-Step)

Old leads are gold. A focused AI reactivation campaign — using friendly voice calls, voicemail drops, SMS + email follow-ups, and live-transfer to closers — converts at far higher ROI than buying new leads. This guide gives you a ready-to-run playbook (scripts, cadence, targeting, AutoCallFlow 5-step setup, KPIs, and compliance). Copy, paste, launch — and expect your first wins in 48–72 hours.

Why AI works for dead leads

• Consistency: AI follows the script perfectly every time (no bad days).
• Scale: Make thousands of polite, well-timed attempts cheaply.
• Persistence: Automate multi-touch follow-ups (calls, SMS, email) without human ops.
• Live transfer: Only route genuinely interested leads to closers, saving human time.
• Data-driven tuning: Use transcripts and analytics to optimize hooks quickly.

Campaign overview — the Reactivation Funnel

1. Segment your dead-list by source, last contact date, and lead score.
2. Warm-up numbers & preview messages (SMS/email) to reduce spam flags.
3. AI outbound call + voicemail drop with a short, value-first hook.
4. SMS + email fallback with one-click scheduling.
5. Live transfer to closers for qualified responses.
6. Nurture & measure: move “maybe” to a 30-day drip; drop “do not call” to suppression.

Step 0 — Segment your dead leads (do not blast everything)

Segment to increase relevance and conversions:

• Hot-ish: Contacted within last 6 months, engaged once (opened email or clicked).
• Cold: Last contact 6–18 months ago, no engagement.
• Dormant / stale: 18+ months, no engagement.
• Source type: inbound form, webinar, trial user, sales demo no-show.
• Intent tags: interested, budget, no_budget, timing_unknown.

Start with Hot-ish only — this gives the fastest wins and lowest risk.

Messaging hierarchy (use in this order)

1. Value Hook (call): short, relevant and benefit-first.
2. Soft CTA (SMS): one-click calendar link + web scheduling.
3. Live Transfer (if interest): warm transfer to closer.
4. Nurture (if not now): 30/60/90-day drip sequence.
5. Suppress / DNC: immediate and logged if asked.

Exact scripts (copy-paste ready)

Outbound voice script — Reactivation (AI voice) — short version (20–30s)

“Hi [FirstName], this is [AgentName] from [YourCompany]. We helped people like you get booked faster for [benefit — e.g., appointments / demos / valuation]. I’m calling with a quick update — we’ve got a limited offer that could save you time and money. If you want details, press 1 to hear it now, press 2 to get a link by SMS, or press 3 to be removed from future messages. Which would you prefer?”

If press 1 (interested) — qualifier + transfer

“Great — quick question: are you available for a 10–15 minute call to see if this fits your needs? Say ‘now’ to connect to a specialist, or say ‘schedule’ to pick a time. If you say ‘now’, I’ll transfer you. Should I connect you now?”

(If “now”: AI reads 2–3 bullet points summary, then warm-transfer with a 10–20s handover summary: Lead: [firstName], last contacted [date], interest: [tag].)

If press 2 (SMS):

“No problem — I’ll send a short link with details so you can view on your phone.”

If no answer / voicemail drop (30s)

“Hi [FirstName], this is [AgentName] from [YourCompany]. Quick note — we have a special offer that could [benefit]. I’ve texted a link so you can review. If you’d like to talk, just press 1 when you see this message or call us at [number]. To stop calls, reply STOP.”

SMS templates (short + 1-click link)

Initial SMS after call attempt:

Hi [FirstName], [AgentName] from [Company] — quick update: we can [benefit]. See details & schedule: [short link]. Reply STOP to opt out.

Follow-up (24 hours):

Still available to chat? Book a 10-min slot: [short link]. Or reply INFO to get more.

Use short scheduling links (Calendly or a simple scheduling page); pass UTM params for tracking.

Email template (for multi-channel follow-up)

Subject: Quick update that could save you time, [FirstName]

Hi [FirstName],

We tried to reach you — quick heads up: we’re offering [specific benefit / limited trial]. If you’re still interested in [solve their problem], grab a 10-minute slot here: [short link] or reply to this email and I’ll schedule it.

If you prefer no more messages, reply STOP.

— [YourName], [Company]

Cadence — recommended timing for a 14-day Reactivation Sprint

(Adjust to local calling hours & DNC rules.)

• Day 0 (morning): Send a short SMS teaser (soft warm-up).
• Day 0 (1–2 hours later): Place AI outbound call (1 attempt).
• Day 0 (evening): If no answer → voicemail drop + SMS with link.
• Day 2: AI call retry attempt 2 (different time).
• Day 4: SMS reminder.
• Day 7: Final AI call attempt + voicemail drop.
• Day 10: Drip email 1.
• Day 14: Final SMS + move to 30/60/90-day nurture or suppression.

For Hot-ish segments, reduce delays and use more aggressive cadence (Day 0, Day 1, Day 3).

5-step AutoCallFlow setup (exact checklist)

Use your AutoCallFlow 5-step agent wizard — here is the recommended configuration:

1. Name & Role: Agent name: Reactivation — Hotish. Language: English (or local). Timezone: target market.
2. Voice & Caller ID: Voice: Professional warm voice preset. Caller ID: Choose local number matching lead area code (use number pool).
3. Schedule & Calendar: Calling window: 9am–6pm local time. Calendar: connect the “Closer” calendar for live transfers.
4. Capabilities: Enable: Outbound Campaign, Voicemail Drop, SMS fallback, Live Transfer, Transcription. Enable short transcript snippets in transfer metadata.
5. Test & Launch: Run 3 internal test calls: (confirm / press 1 flow / voicemail drop). Launch pilot (start with 100–500 leads from Hot-ish segment).

Legal & compliance checklist (must do)

• Honor DNC: scrub your list daily (automate).
• Consent & opt-out: always include a STOP option and log it immediately.
• Calling hours: obey local time rules (e.g., 9am–9pm local).
• Recording notices: play required consent messages if mandated.
• Data security: store lead info & transcripts securely.

KPIs to track & benchmarks (what success looks like)

Start with Hot-ish segment.

• Answer rate: 10–30% (expect higher for warmer lists).
• Interest rate (press 1 / request link): 5–15% of answers.
• Transfer conversion (transfer → meeting): 40–70%.
• Appointments per 100 calls (pilot target): 2–8 (depends on vertical).
• Cost per appointment: compute platform + minutes + ops / appointments.