A system and method to enable instant collaboration between a user of an instant messaging network and a user of a communications network can include the steps of connecting the instant messaging network and the communications network via a data network; providing a processor in the data network for: receiving a text message having a designation for text-to-speech conversion via an instant messaging server of the instant messaging network, wherein the text message is intended for a phone coupled to a voicemail system of the communications network; recognizing the designation; converting the text message to a voice message; calling the phone; delivering the voice message to the voicemail system; enabling a scheduled delivery of the voice message to a user of the phone; and delivering the voice message to the user.