LinkedIn voice messages can help you stand out in sales by adding a personal touch to your outreach. They let you convey tone, sincerity, and enthusiasm in ways text cannot, making your messages more engaging and memorable. However, they work best when used thoughtfully and in the right situations.
Key Takeaways:
- What They Are: LinkedIn voice messages are 60-second audio recordings sent to first-degree connections via LinkedIn messaging.
- Why Use Them: They grab attention, convey emotion, and build trust faster than text-based communication.
- Best Times to Use:
- After a connection request is accepted.
- To re-engage warm leads.
- Following a call or meeting to recap and confirm next steps.
- To congratulate or acknowledge milestones.
- When to Avoid:
- Cold outreach or with prospects who prefer text.
- For detailed or sensitive information.
- During busy periods when quick text might be more practical.
- How to Craft Effective Messages:
- Personalize your message with specific details about the recipient.
- Keep it concise (30–45 seconds).
- Include a clear call-to-action, like scheduling a call or asking a direct question.
- Speak clearly, avoid filler words, and record in a quiet space.
Quick Tip:
Voice messages can achieve response rates of 30–40%, compared to 10–25% for traditional LinkedIn outreach. Start with short, personalized messages to high-value prospects and track results to refine your strategy.
What LinkedIn Voice Messages Are
LinkedIn Voice Messages Explained
LinkedIn voice messages are audio recordings you can send directly through the platform’s messaging system. Think of them as voicemails, but instead of using your phone, they’re delivered through LinkedIn’s chat interface.
Each message is capped at 60 seconds, so you need to keep it short and to the point. Once sent, the recipient sees an audio clip with simple playback controls, making it easy to listen.
There’s one important limitation: voice messages can only be sent to your first-degree connections – people who have already accepted your connection request. So, you can’t use this feature for cold outreach to those outside your network.
The feature works seamlessly on both mobile and desktop. On mobile, you press and hold the microphone icon to record, while on desktop, you simply click it. No extra apps or complicated steps – just a simple, built-in tool.
Benefits of Voice Messages for Sales
Voice messages come with some clear advantages, especially for sales professionals aiming to connect on a deeper level with potential clients.
First, they let you communicate tone and emotion in a way text just can’t. When you speak, your enthusiasm, sincerity, or concern comes through, making your message more impactful. If you’re genuinely invested in solving a prospect’s challenge, they’ll hear it in your voice, which can help you build trust faster than a written message.
Another big plus? Voice messages cut through the noise. While most LinkedIn users get flooded with text-based messages, voice messages remain relatively rare. This makes your outreach stand out, and that extra attention can mean the difference between being ignored and getting a response.
Voice messages also save time while delivering more. A 45-second recording can convey ideas, emotions, and details that would take multiple paragraphs to type out. Plus, hearing your voice adds clarity and depth that text can’t replicate.
For sales professionals, these messages help you feel more like a real person instead of just another name in someone’s inbox. Your voice adds a personal touch, creating a stronger connection. And in sales, where trust and relationships are everything, this can give you an edge.
Finally, voice messages often encourage better responses. When someone hears a thoughtful, genuine recording, they’re more likely to engage. It signals that you’ve taken the time to reach out personally instead of sending a generic pitch, which prospects tend to appreciate.
In the next section, we’ll dive into how to time and craft these messages for maximum impact.
Steal This Linkedin Voice Note Script
When to Use LinkedIn Voice Messages for Sales
Voice messages on LinkedIn can be a powerful tool, but they work best when used thoughtfully. Rather than sending them indiscriminately, focus on moments where a personal touch can truly make a difference. Here’s when they shine – and when they don’t.
Best Times to Send Voice Messages
- After a connection is accepted: A short, 30-second voice message can be a great way to introduce yourself and create a friendly first impression. It sets a warm, approachable tone right from the start.
- To re-engage warm leads: If a prospect has gone quiet, a voice message with a sincere tone can help restart the conversation.
- After a call or meeting: Use a quick voice message to recap key points and confirm next steps. It keeps the momentum going.
- When new stakeholders join a deal: Sending a personalized voice introduction helps you make a strong impression and builds rapport with new participants.
- To celebrate a milestone: Congratulating a prospect on an achievement with a voice message shows you’re paying attention and genuinely care.
- For explaining complex ideas: Sometimes, it’s easier to clarify tricky concepts with your voice. Natural inflection and pacing can make your explanation clearer and more engaging.
When to Skip Voice Messages
- For cold outreach: Voice messages are better suited for first-degree connections. Sending them to cold prospects can come across as intrusive.
- When contacts prefer text: If someone responds slowly to voice messages or clearly prefers written replies, stick to text communication.
- During busy periods: Text messages are often more practical when people are swamped, as they’re quicker to read and respond to.
- For detailed information: Long or complex details are better suited to text or documents. Use voice messages for connection, not for lengthy explanations.
- When emotions run high: If you’re feeling frustrated or upset, wait until you can deliver your message with positivity and enthusiasm.
- For sensitive topics: Written communication allows your contact to process and respond thoughtfully.
The key to using LinkedIn voice messages effectively is understanding the context and your prospect’s preferences. They’re excellent for building connections and showing enthusiasm, but they’re not the right fit for every situation. Before hitting record, ask yourself: Does my voice add something that text can’t?
How to Create Effective LinkedIn Voice Messages
Crafting LinkedIn voice messages that grab attention and lead to meaningful responses requires a thoughtful approach. It’s not just about hitting "record" – it’s about respecting your prospect’s time and delivering value clearly and efficiently.
Core Elements of Good Voice Messages
To make your voice messages stand out, focus on these key elements:
- Personalization: Mention something specific about the recipient, like their company, a recent accomplishment, or a mutual connection. This shows you’re genuinely interested and not just sending out generic messages.
- Value Proposition: Get straight to the point within the first 15 seconds. Address their challenges or goals directly. For instance, a software sales rep might say, "I noticed your team is growing quickly, and I’ve helped similar companies streamline their onboarding process."
- Conciseness: Every word should count. Practice beforehand to cut out filler words and get to the heart of your message.
- Clear Call-to-Action: Make it easy for them to respond. Instead of saying, "Let me know if you’re interested", try something like, "Are you available for a 15-minute call this Thursday or Friday morning?" Providing specific options simplifies their decision-making.
Once you’ve nailed these elements, you can structure your message for maximum impact.
Voice Message Structure That Works
Here’s a simple yet effective structure for your LinkedIn voice messages:
- Start with a friendly greeting: Use their name for a personal touch. "Hi Sarah" feels much warmer than a generic "Hello."
- Reference a shared context: Mention something that connects you, like a mutual contact, recent company news, or a challenge they’ve shared publicly. For example, "I saw your post about remote team collaboration challenges."
- Deliver your value statement: Focus on the result or benefit you can provide. For example, "I’ve helped companies in your industry cut customer response times significantly with a simple automation process."
- End with a specific next step: Make it easy for them to act. Say something like, "Would you be open to a quick call next week?" or "Can I send you a case study? What’s the best email to use?"
This structure keeps your message clear, professional, and actionable.
Tips for Clear and Professional Delivery
Even with a great structure, how you deliver your message matters. Here’s how to ensure your voice message comes across as polished and professional:
- Speak clearly and at a steady pace: Talk slightly slower than usual to avoid sounding rushed. Pause briefly between sentences to help your message land.
- Keep it short: Aim for 30–45 seconds, with 60 seconds being the maximum. Practice timing your message to strike the right balance between brevity and substance.
- Eliminate filler words: Replace "um" and "uh" with short pauses. It makes you sound more confident and focused.
- Match your tone to the context: Be enthusiastic and genuinely interested, but don’t overdo it. Your tone should be confident yet approachable.
- Choose the right environment: Record in a quiet space with minimal background noise. Avoid places like moving cars or noisy offices where distractions can affect sound quality.
- Practice, but don’t over-rehearse: Outline your key points instead of memorizing them word-for-word. This helps you sound natural and conversational while staying on track.
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Pros and Cons of LinkedIn Voice Messages
LinkedIn voice messages can be a useful tool for personalizing outreach, but they’re not always the best fit for every situation. Understanding the benefits and challenges can help you decide when to use them effectively.
Benefits vs. Drawbacks Comparison
Here’s a closer look at the potential advantages and challenges of LinkedIn voice messages:
| Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
| Higher engagement rates – Voice messages often catch attention and encourage responses because they feel more personal and dynamic. | Time-intensive – Crafting a thoughtful, personalized voice message takes longer than typing a quick text. |
| Personal connection – Your tone and enthusiasm come through in ways that text can’t replicate. | Technical barriers – Recipients may encounter audio issues or simply prefer text-based communication. |
| Stands out in crowded inboxes – In a sea of text messages, a voice message can make you more memorable. | Harder to skim – Unlike text, voice messages require recipients to listen fully, which can be inconvenient. |
| Builds trust faster – Hearing your voice can create an immediate sense of connection and authenticity. | No easy reference – Reviewing details in a voice message isn’t as simple as scanning written content. |
| Shows extra effort – Recording a message signals that you’ve taken the time to personalize your outreach. | Potential for awkwardness – Poor delivery, background noise, or rambling can weaken your message. |
| Emotional impact – Your voice can better convey excitement, sincerity, or passion. | Cultural preferences – Certain industries or regions may lean toward written communication over audio. |
This breakdown can help you decide when voice messages will work best for your outreach.
How to Get Better Results and Avoid Problems
To make the most of LinkedIn voice messages while avoiding common pitfalls, consider these tips:
- Adapt to your prospect’s communication style. If someone frequently shares video or audio content, they’re probably open to voice messages. On the other hand, if their LinkedIn activity is more traditional and text-based, it’s safer to start with a written message.
- Practice your delivery. Record test messages to ensure your voice is clear and professional. Background noise or unclear speech can undermine even the best intentions. If technical issues arise, follow up with a brief text summary to reinforce your main points.
- Consider industry norms. For example, professionals in formal sectors like banking or law might prefer written communication, while those in creative or tech industries may respond better to a voice message. Pay attention to how your target audience typically interacts on LinkedIn.
- Track and refine your approach. Monitor how well your voice messages perform compared to written ones. If you’re not seeing the desired engagement, it might be time to adjust your strategy or reconsider when to use voice messages in your outreach.
The key is to balance personalization with practicality, ensuring your message resonates with the recipient while respecting their preferences.
Using Closely for LinkedIn Voice Messaging
LinkedIn voice messages are a great tool on their own, but when combined with a well-planned outreach strategy, they can become even more impactful. That’s where Closely comes in. This automation platform helps sales professionals streamline their LinkedIn voice messaging while keeping the personal touch that makes these messages effective. It takes the idea of voice messaging to the next level, making it an essential part of your LinkedIn outreach.
How Closely Improves LinkedIn Outreach
Closely transforms your voice messaging by combining automation with personalization. Its AI-powered features analyze LinkedIn activity, engagement patterns, and profile details to help you focus on the right prospects. Instead of randomly sending messages, you can target people who are more likely to respond positively.
The platform also supports multichannel campaigns, allowing you to weave voice messages into a broader strategy. For instance, you could start with a LinkedIn connection request, follow up with a personalized voice message once they accept, and later switch to email if they don’t respond on LinkedIn. This creates a seamless, multi-touch approach to outreach.
Closely’s data enrichment tools are another game-changer. They give you access to verified contact details and insights into recent activities, helping you tailor your voice messages. By referencing specific challenges, achievements, or trends relevant to your prospect, your messages feel more genuine and engaging.
Timing is everything in outreach, and Closely helps you nail it. By tracking when your prospects are most active on LinkedIn, you can schedule your voice messages for the moments they’re most likely to see and respond.
Best Practices for Using Closely
To get the most out of Closely, managing your campaigns effectively is crucial. Use its unified inbox and analytics to track responses and fine-tune your strategy. You can even compare the effectiveness of voice messages versus text to see what works best for different types of prospects.
Closely’s lead scoring system is particularly useful for prioritizing efforts. High-scoring leads – those who align well with your ideal customer profile – are perfect candidates for personalized voice messages. Meanwhile, lower-scoring leads might be better suited for automated text outreach, saving you time and effort.
The platform also makes collaboration easy. Share successful voice message templates and strategies with your team, ensuring consistency while still allowing for individual personalization. You can even track which team members are getting the best results with voice messaging and share their techniques across the group.
To keep everything organized, Closely integrates with your CRM through webhook connections. This ensures that when a prospect responds, their information is updated automatically, triggering follow-ups and preventing missed opportunities. Voice message replies can also alert your team to high-priority prospects, helping you move quickly when someone is ready for a sales conversation.
Conclusion: Making LinkedIn Voice Messages Work for Sales
The numbers speak for themselves: traditional LinkedIn outreach typically garners response rates between 10–25%, while voice messages consistently see response rates of 30–40% [3]. For instance, one sales rep reported a 40% response rate and a 20% booking rate using a voice message campaign [1].
What makes voice messages so effective? They combine the warmth of a phone call with the flexibility of asynchronous communication [3]. With 98% of LinkedIn marketers agreeing that personalization strengthens customer relationships [3], tailoring your voice messages is crucial. Mention specifics about your prospect’s business, recent milestones, or industry challenges to make your outreach stand out. This personalized approach can boost engagement rates by as much as 30% compared to standard text-based messages [2].
If you’re not already using voice messaging, now is the perfect time to start. Begin by focusing on high-value prospects, keeping your messages concise – ideally between 20–45 seconds – and including a clear call to action. Track your results and adjust accordingly to fine-tune your strategy. Using tools that simplify and automate outreach can further enhance your efforts.
Platforms like Closely take voice messaging to the next level by blending AI-driven personalization with multichannel campaign management. By integrating voice outreach with email follow-ups and LinkedIn automation, you can create a seamless workflow that not only improves efficiency but can also double your response rates [4]. And despite the automation, the human connection remains at the core, which is key to driving sales success.
The evidence is clear: voice messages work. The question is, will you seize the opportunity before your competitors catch on?
FAQs
How can I make sure my LinkedIn voice messages resonate with prospects who might prefer text communication?
To make your LinkedIn voice messages hit the right note, especially for prospects who might lean toward text communication, start by asking if they’re okay with receiving a voice message. This small step shows you care about their preferences and sets a respectful tone.
Keep it brief – around 30 seconds is ideal – and make it personal. Mention something specific about their job, industry, or recent activity to show you’ve taken the time to learn about them. Use a warm, energetic tone to keep things engaging, and clearly highlight how your product or service could benefit them. Wrap up with a straightforward call to action, like asking for a quick reply or suggesting a time to connect. If they don’t respond, a polite follow-up can help maintain a professional and approachable vibe.
When should I use LinkedIn voice messages instead of text messages for sales outreach?
LinkedIn voice messages work particularly well in certain situations. They offer a personal touch that sets you apart from the usual text messages, which can sometimes come across as impersonal or overly generic. Using your voice allows you to express tone, enthusiasm, and sincerity, making it easier to establish trust and build meaningful connections with your prospects.
They’re also incredibly useful when you need to explain something complex or provide detailed feedback. Instead of typing out long paragraphs, you can communicate your ideas clearly and engagingly, saving time for both you and the recipient. Plus, many sales professionals report that voice messages often lead to higher response rates. Why? They feel more genuine and are easier to engage with than a wall of text.
How can using tools like Closely improve the impact of LinkedIn voice messages in sales outreach?
Using tools like Closely can make your LinkedIn voice messages much more impactful by simplifying your sales outreach and fostering more personalized connections. This platform helps you manage LinkedIn interactions efficiently, ensuring your voice messages fit seamlessly into a structured and targeted outreach plan.
Closely offers features like engagement tracking, follow-up scheduling, and tools for maintaining consistent communication. These capabilities let you focus on creating voice messages that truly connect with your prospects. By incorporating smart tools into your process, you can save time, sidestep common mistakes, and strengthen your relationships with your audience.