TL;DR
Podcast voicemail is the easiest way to turn your listeners into contributors.
- It builds community by letting fans hear their voices on the show
- It gives you a steady stream of stories and questions
- It creates ready-made short-form clips for TikTok, Reels, or Shorts
- Tools like Whatayarn make it simple to collect voice messages from your listeners
If you want more engaged listeners and more content without extra effort, podcast voicemail is the play.
An example of a voicemail page your listeners send messages to (built with Whatayarn)
What is podcast voicemail?
Podcast voicemail lets your audience leave you short audio messages that you can play on your show. Instead of asking for emails or social comments, you share a link or a number. Listeners record their voice and you get ready-to-use audio for questions, stories, feedback, or quick hot takes.
Think of it like a modern call-in segment that fits any show size.
Why does podcast voicemail grow shows?
- Community building - hearing a listener's voice on the show turns passive fans into participants and encourages repeat engagement.
- Reliable content supply - questions and stories arrive every week, which makes planning easier.
- Short-form fuel - a tight two-minute voicemail becomes a Reel, a Short, or a TikTok with minimal editing.
- Low friction - no scheduling, no full interviews, just authentic moments that land well.
What are some real examples?
If you've tuned into shows like Alpha Blokes, Bloody Brilliant Beers, or Two Flogs, you've heard voicemail-style segments in action.
When Alpha Blokes first started, their podcast was tiny-sometimes they would only get one or two calls a week.
Those early calls built a surprising amount of engagement for such a small audience. Listeners kept tuning in every week, waiting to hear if their mate's story would make it on air. That ritual made the show feel like a community gathering rather than just another podcast.
They then repurposed those short call-ins and their reactions into clips for TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Even a 60-second story could take off as a Reel, bringing in new listeners who wanted to join the fun.
As the show grew, so did this content format. What started as a handful of call-ins eventually became its own dedicated weekly episode. Today those voicemail episodes are some of their most popular and most loved content.
How to set it up?
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Create a recording link
The easiest way is with Whatayarn. It gives you a branded page that works on mobile and desktop, with built-in time limits so every message stays tight and usable. -
Give a clear prompt
Add your own description right on your Whatayarn page. Prompts like “What's the funniest thing that happened to you this week?” help listeners know exactly what to send. -
Share your link
Drop your Whatayarn link (it'll look something like this:https://whatayarn.com/your-podcast-name) in show notes, your website, or socials. -
Play the messages
New voicemails from Whatayarn land straight in your inbox. Preview them, pick your favorites, and hit play on your show. -
Repurpose your voicemails
Clip the best calls-plus your reaction-into TikToks, Reels, or Shorts. It's the fastest way to turn one funny voicemail into content that travels everywhere.
Want to see what a voicemail looks like? Check out the Whatayarn demo.
How much does podcast voicemail cost?
With Whatayarn, you don't need phone numbers or complicated setups.
- Free plan — try out voicemail with basic features for free
- Pro plan — from $12/month (billed yearly) or $15/month (billed monthly) with branding, time-limit controls, and email delivery
- ROI — podcasters using voicemail segments often see higher listener engagement and more content to repurpose
Setup takes less than 5 minutes, and you can upgrade or downgrade anytime.
Podcast voicemail vs other ways to collect audience input
| Method | Setup Time | Cost | Ease for Listeners | Clip-ready Audio | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voicemail page | ~5 minutes | Free-$15/mo | Very easy (1 tap) | Yes | Stories, Q&A, hot takes |
| Email inbox | Instant | Free | Medium | No (text) | Feedback, longform suggestions |
| Social comments | Instant | Free | Easy | No (text) | Polls, general chatter |
| Phone number | 10-30 min | Pay-as-you-go | Medium | Sometimes | Legacy call-ins, older audiences |
What are some good prompts to use?
- Tell us your funniest weekend fail and what you learned
- What is the best advice you ever received and who gave it
- Confessions of a podcast listener
- A quick story about the moment you became a fan of this show
- Leave questions for the next episode
How can you repurpose podcast voicemail?
One of the biggest advantages of podcast voicemail is how easily it turns into extra content.
A single two-minute story can become multiple assets across platforms. Here are some ways to squeeze more value out of each call:
-
Clips for socials
Take the caller's story and your live reaction. Trim it to 30-60 seconds and you've got a TikTok, Reel, or YouTube Short ready to post. -
Supercuts
Group three or four calls around the same theme (e.g. "weekend fails" or "listener confessions") and edit them together into a fast, funny segment. -
Newsletter snippets
Pull out the best quotes, add a link to the full episode, and drop them into your weekly newsletter. It makes your emails feel more alive. -
Episode openers
Start an episode with a voicemail instead of your usual cold open. It instantly sets the tone and hooks new listeners. -
Guest warmups
Play a listener question before an interview guest answers. It brings the audience into the conversation and keeps things fresh. -
Community teasers
Post a call to your socials as a teaser, then direct followers to "hear the rest in this week's episode." It drives curiosity and click-throughs.
With Whatayarn, your messages with MP3 audio attachments land in your email inbox so they're ready for you to use and repurpose.
What are some tips for better voicemail segments?
With Whatayarn, you can set a max duration for each message so you never get stuck with long rambles.
- Keep it short (90-120 seconds)
Long enough for a story, short enough to keep the energy moving. Short clips also repurpose better for TikTok or Reels. - Encourage a quiet space
Ask callers to duck into a quiet room and hold the phone close. A little guidance upfront saves you time in editing later. - Trim, don't over-produce
Cut silence at the start and end, normalize the volume, and that's usually enough. - Batch listen before recording
Preview messages in one go. Tag your favorites, group similar themes, and drop the segment straight into the episode. - React in the moment
The gold isn't just in the voicemail-it's in your reaction.
How do I get started?
- ✅ Create your voicemail page and set max duration (90-120s is a sweet spot)
- ✅ Add a clear weekly prompt to the page
- ✅ Link it in show notes, website header, and social bios
- ✅ Record a 10-second on-air CTA (end of each episode)
- ✅ Batch review before you record your next ep
- ✅ Clip best moments for Shorts/Reels after publishing
What do people ask about podcast voicemail?
Final Word
Want the easy version with a branded page, time limits, and email delivery built in? Whatayarn lets you share a single link and start collecting stories in minutes.
