We agree with Noah Seidenberg on this one.

I always leave a message, else why would I bother calling?

I understand your question.

First I do leave a message. I want the person on the other side to feel my smile and catch my excitement to suggest an in-sync personality.

Secondly, I decide beforehand, based on the ad or promotion from which the lead originated, whether to use a scarcity, benefit, solution, greed or fear message.

An example of a fear message is, "I will be in your community Saturday and I'll knock on your door about 2 PM." FEAR will make them call to avoid that door knock. If you've read the response of so many real estate professionals here on AR regard their reaction to door knocking you would believe they seek shelter under the dining room table in great fear.

BETTER still, optimize your landing pages to separate the unwilling from the predisposed and the right (90 day market) person will call you.

You need to leave a message in order to potentially get a response.

Because of the way I was brought up I always leave a message as to whom I am and the reason for the call!

 Good Saturday morning Katie. As I am writing off Internet leads, I had to stop and read some of the answers.

Katie - If you are calling more than once a day, then obviously you don't need to leave a message each time. At first maybe a couple times a week, and then after that maybe once a week just as a follow-up. Eventually if you never get through, it may not be worth calling anymore.

It depends if I'm playing phone tag or not...

I generally leave a message so they know I am checking in. It isn't long but it is enough so they know I am on top of things.

First when you get a new lead you need to call them back within 5 minutes to get the best results.  When followin up with older leads I do leave them a vm and a email to remind them I am ready when they are.

I call a couple of times and if I get VM finally I will leave a message.

Katie Mantelli I agree with David Barr. Persistence may get a response.