LinkedIn voice messages are 60-second recordings you can leave in the inbox of 1st degree LinkedIn connections. Because this feature is only available on LinkedIn’s mobile app and is hard to find, it’s relatively unused by most users on the platform—making it an easy way to break through the noise. People primarily use this feature to spark conversation after a connection or re-engaging ghosted leads.
How to Record and Send a LinkedIn Voice Message
Recording and sending a LinkedIn voice message is a simple 5-step process. Here’s what you need to do:
- Click on the messaging icon in the top right corner of the LinkedIn app.
- Select the person that you want to message.
- Click the record button on the bottom right of the screen.
- Hold the button down while you record your message.
- Lift your finger from the button once you’ve completed your message.
When you’ve finished recording, LinkedIn will prompt you to either send your message or cancel it. If you’re satisfied with it, click send. Otherwise, you can cancel the recording and try again.
What To Say In A LinkedIn Voice Message: The Four-Step Formula
Sending a cold outreach message isn’t just about leaving a prospect your name and details. The following four steps will help you craft a great message that produces results.
1. Research
Personalizing your message for every prospect increases the odds they’ll contact you back. The only way to do this is to do your research.
The best way to learn about your prospect is to visit their LinkedIn profile. You’re looking for one piece of information to help you customize your voicemail. Most often, you’ll use their job title, job description, company type or a shared experience.
Here’s how proper research shows up in a script:
“Hey Dave, saw we’re both from Miami! Since you’re leading Supply Chain, your team must have been hit by the UPS’ rate increase. I’m sure it’s tough on margin, especially when Acme Corp’s fighting other low-cost competitors in the metal parts space. I have a connection overseas that gets my clients 10% below UPS costs through a new load management process. If you want to see if that system could work for you, let me know what email/# to reach you at.”
Without a personalizer in the first 5 seconds of your voicemail, your recipient will think it’s a generic, irrelevant message sent from someone who doesn’t understand their job.
2. Compliment
After a brief introduction, compliment your prospect. Mention a recent promotion or major achievement. Compliments make people feel good, therefore making you more likable.
3. Add Value
Give your prospects a reason to call you back. Offer them something of value that can help them at their current job — ideally free of charge. Your main goal is to get the prospect to return your voice message, and they’ll only do that if there’s something big in it for them.
4. Call to Action
Finally, you need to call your prospects to action. Whether you want them to leave a phone number or email, reply to an open-ended question or something else, be literal in your ask. Clearly state the steps they need to take to get what you have to offer.
Voice Message Best Practices
The above four steps are just the basics of crafting a message aimed at getting great results. Now, let’s go over a few other best practices to make your LinkedIn voice messages even more effective.
Be Conversational but Professional
Even if you don’t know the person well — or at all — you should act like you have an established relationship. Avoid being too formal. Act naturally and professionally, and don’t be afraid to show a bit of your personality.
Keep it Short
10 to 30 seconds should be more than enough time to get your message across.
Follow Up
LinkedIn lets you know when your prospect has listened to your message. Keep an eye out for that notification. If you don’t hear back from them after a few days, send a follow-up message and ask if they have any feedback.
Why Send a Voice Message Through LinkedIn?
So why should you send a voice message through LinkedIn as opposed to a written message? First of all, talking is much faster than typing. Recording messages can save you a significant amount of time. Voice messages also humanize your exchanges.
You can show your personality and use your charisma in ways you can’t do through text. Finally, voice is a low-pressure way to communicate. Recipients can listen and respond to your voice messages whenever they have a free moment.
