The Hidden Cost of Dead Numbers (& What Smart Teams Do Differently)

Summary:

Sales teams often waste time calling inactive or unreachable numbers, which reduces connect rates and hurts morale. New features in some dialing platforms, like Connect Score by PhoneBurner, use carrier data, engagement history, and phone metadata to score each number’s likelihood of connecting. By prioritizing high-score contacts, teams can use these scores to reduce wasted dials, improve answer rates, and track performance gains through dedicated reporting.

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There’s a problem in sales outreach that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough.

Outbound call lists are padded with outdated, inactive or disconnected numbers with little to no chance of a pickup. They sit in databases like real opportunities—but lead nowhere.

Here’s the thing: calling the wrong numbers doesn’t just waste time.

It saps morale, inflates dial counts, risks spam flags, and undermines performance across the board. Most teams have no clear way to spot it—let alone stop it.

But that’s about to change.

PhoneBurner is helping smart teams flip the script—by identifying which numbers are worth dialing before reps ever pick up the phone. Learn about how our new Connect Scores feature works with our power dialer to help your team spend more time calling the most promising numbers.

Introducing: Connect Scores

Connect Scores is a new way to analyze call lists and uncover which numbers are likely to result in a live conversation—and which ones are more likely to waste a dial.

Using real-world signals—like carrier data, engagement history, and phone metadata—each number is scored as High, Medium, or Low, helping teams prioritize the leads that are more reachable—and avoid the ones that are likely to hurt connect rates and number reputation.

❌ Fewer than 1 in 33 calls to Low score numbers result in a live answer.

The conversion potential of these numbers is even lower.

By prioritizing higher Connect Scores, you’ll reduce wasted effort—and dramatically improve live connections and team morale.

Learn More: What are Answer Rates on Sales Calls & Why Do They Matter?

Real World Results

When you stop calling numbers with virtually no reachability, the change is instant.

Maxwell Bryant Group cut 30% of their dials—while keeping connections steady—going from 12,343 calls for 518 conversations to just 8,639 calls for 511.

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Agents went from 1–2 connections per hour to a “sales floor buzzing with activity” – benefiting morale, number reputation, and naturally, performance.

For Julio Rivera at Simplicity Group Holdings, the shift was even more dramatic. His connection rate jumped from 1% to over 20%. 

“I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without PhoneBurner analyzing phone numbers—it’s saved me so much time and dramatically improved my results.” -  Julio Rivera

Fewer wasted calls. More live connections. That’s the Connect Score difference.

Note: These testimonials are individual experiences. Your results will vary based on lead quality and call practices, but our reporting shows you the impact of using Connect Score on your live conversations, in black and white.

Learn More: 21 Sales Metrics High-Performance Sales Teams Track

How Does It Work?

Connect Score makes it easy to separate high-value numbers from low-value ones—before your reps ever start dialing. There are two ways to use it:

1. Automatic Scoring & Skipping (most popular)

Set a minimum Connect Score threshold, and PhoneBurner does the rest. As your team dials, numbers are scored in real time. Those below your threshold are automatically skipped—so reps avoid wasted dials and spend time where it counts most.

2. Bulk or One-Off Analysis

Prefer a hands-on approach? Score any contact directly from their record, or select a group from the Contacts page to analyze many numbers at once. Sort contacts by Connect Score to run targeted dial sessions, or assess the quality of an entire folder or lead source.

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You can also use Connect Score as a filter to build Advanced Searches.

How Do You Track Results?

The value of Connect Score isn’t just in smarter dialing—it’s in proving the impact.

Connect Score customers get dedicated reporting to see exactly how the feature is influencing results. You’ll see:

• Call Volume by Score
• Connected Calls by Score

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Go for green!

Low Connect Scores tend to waste dials and raise your spam risk. High Connect Scores keep morale high, calls productive, and conversations flowing.

Over time, Connect Scores should help you drive bigger results, with the same or less effort.

And with reporting in place, you’ll know exactly how much effort you’re saving and how many more live conversations you’ve gained.

Learn More: 8 Tactics to Improve Your Live Answer Rates

How Do I Get Connect Scores?

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Getting set up with Connect Score takes just minutes—and the payoff is immediate.

From your PhoneBurner account, go to Dial Session Settings > Connect Scores and choose the package that works for your business. Pricing is based on usage, and credits are shared across your team.

Once enabled, Connect Score is instantly active in your dial sessions. You can start with automatic Score & Skip Calls (our most popular setup) for real-time scoring as you dial, or run a bulk analysis to see how your existing lists stack up before making your first call.

No complex imports. No long setup. Just smarter dialing—right out of the gate.

It’s Time to Separate the Garbage from the Gold

Every wasted call hits morale, productivity, and your number reputation.

Connect Scores transform your calling efficiency instantly—skipping disconnected and unlikely-to-connect numbers, and serving up a steady stream of live conversations that grow pipeline. More gets done, in less time, with fewer risks.

Don’t just hope it’s working—track the lift in black and white with built-in reporting.

Activate Connect Scores today, or start your free trial of PhoneBurner to learn more.

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