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For old opportunities that went quiet, chose a competitor or decided to do nothing, three to twelve months later. Every line is ready to use: replace each {{placeholder}}, read it aloud a few times, then make it sound like you.
Quick answer
Closed-lost deals are some of the warmest contacts in your CRM. The prospect knows you, has already admitted they had the problem and has since lived with whatever they chose instead: a competitor, an internal fix or nothing at all. Some of those choices have not worked out.
Read the CRM notes before calling. Know why the deal was lost, who was involved and what they said. A call that shows you remember their situation is completely different from one that starts from zero.
Six parts, in the order buyers expect them. The note under each part explains why it is written that way.
Hi {{first_name}}, it's {{your_name}} from {{your_company}}. We spoke back in {{month}} about {{topic}}.
I'm not calling to pick up where we left off. I wanted to see how things have gone since. Have you got a couple of minutes?
Why it works: Saying you're not reopening the old deal lowers the guard. They expected a sales push.
A couple of things have changed on our side, including {{change}}, and when you mentioned {{original_concern}} last time, it was one of the reasons it didn't fit.
Why it works: Tie the change directly to the reason they said no. If nothing has changed, use the 'how did it go' opener instead.
How has {{chosen_alternative}} worked out?
Is {{topic}} still a priority, or has it been solved?
Has anything changed on your side: team, budget, goals?
If you were looking at it again, what would you want to be different this time?
Why it works: Ask about their choice without judgment. If it worked, say so and move on. If it didn't, they'll tell you.
That's useful to hear. Since we last spoke, {{similar_company}} came to us in a similar position and the result was {{result}}.
Why it works: New proof that didn't exist when they said no is the strongest reason to reconsider.
Would it be worth a fresh 20-minute conversation, without the old proposal on the table? I can do {{day_time_1}} or {{day_time_2}}.
Why it works: A fresh conversation is easier to agree to than revisiting a rejected proposal.
Great. I'll send an invite. Is it still you and {{stakeholder}}, or has that changed?
Why it works: Stakeholders change. Confirm who should be involved now.
Swap one of these in for the opener above when the situation fits.
Hi {{first_name}}, {{your_name}} from {{your_company}}. When we last spoke you'd decided to go with {{chosen_alternative}}, which made sense at the time. I'm curious, how has it gone?
When to use it: Use when nothing has changed on your side, three to six months after they chose an alternative.
Hi {{first_name}}, it's {{your_name}} at {{your_company}}. Last time we spoke you mentioned your agreement with {{chosen_alternative}} ran until {{contract_end}}. I said I'd check in beforehand. Is it on your radar yet?
When to use it: Use when you logged a contract or review date on the original deal.
For when reception or an assistant answers. Be honest about who you are and ask for help.
More gatekeeper scriptsHi, it's {{your_name}} from {{your_company}}. {{first_name}} and I spoke a few months ago about {{topic}}, and I'm following up. Are they available?
Acknowledge, ask one question, then offer a smaller step or let them go.
All objection responsesI remember. How's it going with them? If it's working well, I'm glad, and I'll leave it there.
Why: Genuine interest in whether it worked is both respectful and the only way to find a gap.
Understood. Is {{topic}} still something you're living with, or has it gone away?
Why: 'Nothing's changed' sometimes means the problem is still there, unsolved.
That was the sticking point last time. Can I ask what you'd need it to deliver for the cost to make sense? We may be able to scope it differently.
Why: Re-scoping is often possible months later, and their answer tells you the value bar.
Thanks for telling me. Who's picked it up now? I'd like to introduce myself properly.
Why: A departed champion means a new stakeholder. That's an opportunity, not a dead end.
Fair question. I said I'd check in when {{change}} happened, and it has. If it's not relevant, I'll close the file.
Why: Give the honest reason and offer to stop.
Under 30 seconds. Skip voicemail on the first attempt and pair it with an email the same day.
12 more voicemail scriptsHi {{first_name}}, it's {{your_name}} from {{your_company}}. We spoke in {{month}} about {{topic}}. A few things have changed on our side, including {{change}}, and I thought of you. I'll email the detail. My number is {{phone}}.
Send it the same day as the call or voicemail. It identifies you and includes a working unsubscribe.
Subject: Since we last spoke
Nousu has not published closed-lost re-engagement benchmarks. Track these on your closed-lost list.
Australian cold calling statistics| Measure | Published figure or what to track |
|---|---|
| Closed-lost contacts reached | Your own figure |
| Reached contacts that reopen a conversation | Your own figure |
| Reopened conversations that become opportunities | Your own figure |
Run the closed-lost list as its own campaign and report it separately from cold outbound.
To see how many dials your own meeting target needs, use the meetings per dial calculator.
General information only, not legal advice.
Australian cold calling lawsThis script is a starting point. The free cold call script generator builds a version around your offer, buyer and market, with your own objection responses, voicemails and follow-up emails. It runs in your browser and nothing you type is stored or sent.
FAQ
Practical answers from the team that makes the calls.
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