Template Phone Tips and Script for Visitors
Once you have sent your introductory email, follow up with a phone call. Within each initial call, state the reason
you are extending an invitation for a visit, and wrap up the call with next steps and the “ask.” The following tips
provide context, and the script provides guidance on what to say during each phase of the call.
Phone Outreach Tips
I. Making the connection
 Whenever possible, reference a contact name in your introduction. This includes anyone at the organization
who may have helped you by setting up the call or by providing a contact name: “Beth Smith in the human
resources department gave me your name.”
 Make sure it’s a good time to talk. If it is not a good time, ask the contact when you can call back. Try to avoid
letting them call you back—they rarely do. If this is your only option, wait a week and then try them again. You
can also ask if there is someone else in the company or organization with whom you should speak.
 Be prepared to leave a voicemail message. Remember to leave your name and number at the beginning of the
message and keep the message short: “This is [NAME] with [ORGANIZATION] at [PHONE] (Enunciate the
number clearly and slowly. Many of us tend to speak too hurriedly on voice recordings.) Beth Smith gave me
your name and suggested I speak with you about workforce readiness and an approach that serves [COMPANY
OR ORGANIZATION]’s interests. I will try to reach you again later in the day [OR OTHER SPECIFIC TIME]. I look
forward to speaking with you soon.”
II. Stating who you are
 Explain who you are and on whose behalf you are calling to establish credibility.
III. Stating why you are calling
 Make clear that you are not selling anything and get right to the point of the call.
 Tailor your program description to the person’s knowledge as well as your personal role in Linked Learning.
Keep your descriptions simple and avoid using terms or acronyms that your contact may not be familiar with.
 Do your homework on the person or organization you are contacting, if possible, so that you can highlight
specific ways that Linked Learning could benefit them. For example, “[ORGANIZATION]’s leadership on
workforce readiness is impressive. It’s one of the reasons we think [ORGANIZATION] would be a great potential
partner to our local Linked Learning pathways.”
 Make sure to have the FAQs, fact sheet, and communicator tips on hand during the call in case your contact
asks you difficult or challenging questions about Linked Learning. These tools are available on the Linked
Learning website at http://linkedlearning.org/get-involved/resources
IV. Wrapping up the phone call
 Don’t forget to make “the ask.” During this first call, your objective is to find out if your contact is interested in
meeting with you in person and visit your school to engage more fully with Linked Learning. Most people will
want you to send additional information that they can review before making a decision.
 Before you end your call, be sure you have a next step, such as setting a date for your next call, sending
program information or setting up the school visit.
 If your contact was made through a friend or colleague, keep them in the loop about your progress.
Call Script
I. Making the connection
 Hi, this is [NAME] with [SCHOOL].
 [NAME] with [ORGANIZATION] suggested I speak with you about workforce readiness and an approach that
serves your [COMPANY OR ORGANIZATION]’s interests.
 I am following up from an email I sent you about setting up a site visit at [SCHOOL] to learn more about an
effective, transformative approach to high school called Linked Learning. It integrates rigorous academics with
engagement in career-based learning and real-world workplace experiences. It’s helping to strengthen
California’s future workforce by ensuring that more students graduate high school with the skills and
knowledge needed to succeed in college and career.
 Do you have a few minutes to talk?
II. Stating who you are
 I am a [TITLE] at [SCHOOL], and we are working with businesses, policymakers, and schools across California to
spread the word about the value to students and to our local economy that comes from implementing the
Linked Learning approach within public education in their communities.
III. Stating why you are calling
 Our goal is to raise awareness among business and political leaders like you about Linked Learning and to
increase participation in this highly effective approach for our students.
 Linked Learning is transforming high school education in California and helping address the skills gaps that you
know so well. In fact, research shows that the Linked Learning approach results in greater rates of persistence,
attainment of more credits, and higher graduation rates for all students compared to traditional high schools,
and many of them are graduating high school with competitive skills in engineering, computer science, health
professions, and other industries critical to California.
 Ultimately, we want more businesses to become involved in Linked Learning by providing students with
invaluable work experience before they graduate from high school, whether that’s work-based learning
experiences within the classroom, job shadowing or an internship.
 Businesses like yours, in return, contribute to a thriving community and the state by helping to ensure a
better-educated workforce that can meet the current and future industry demands.
 One of the best aspects of Linked Learning is the connection it helps students make between their high school
education and their next educational or career steps. Employers are critical to making Linked Learning work by
providing essential work-based learning opportunities—giving students a real sense of what it’s like to be in a
professional environment.
IV. Wrapping up the phone call
 Could we set up a site visit for you at [SCHOOL] to give you the opportunity to engage with students, teachers,
and school leadership that are already experiencing successes with Linked Learning? It’s a great way to see the
Linked Learning approach working in action. [NOTE: Try to confirm the date/location while on the phone.]
 Is there anyone else at [BUSINESS] you would like me to talk to about Linked Learning?
 Is there any additional information I can provide?
 Thanks for taking the time to talk today. I’m excited for you to visit [SCHOOL] and learn more about Linked
Learning.
 If you have any questions or need further information, please call or email. [NOTE: Provide contact
information and use your direct line or business cell if you have one.]