To be honest, most LinkedIn messages are… kind of boring, but not LinkedIn voice messaging!
You get the same old “Hey, I help businesses scale their [insert buzzword] with this proven system…” and it’s hard not to just skim, sigh, and move on. We’re drowning in outreach that feels robotic. And when everyone’s playing the same game, the only way to win is to play a different one.
Enter: LinkedIn voice messaging.
Yeah, that little microphone icon in your mobile LinkedIn inbox? It’s low-key one of the most underrated tools out there for actually starting conversations that go somewhere. Let’s unpack why.
Wait, Voice Messaging on LinkedIn? That’s a Thing?
Yep. And here’s the kicker—it’s still new-ish. Most people don’t use it. Or if they do, they’re not using it right.
That’s exactly why it works.
Because it stands out. Because it feels human. And because in a sea of cold, templated text, hearing someone’s actual voice hits different.
So… Why Should You Even Bother?
Fair question. After all, it’s not like we’re short on communication tools. But voice messages do a few things that standard DMs simply can’t:
1. Pattern Disruption (AKA: Not Another Text Wall)
We’ve trained ourselves to ignore walls of text. Subconsciously, we scan, look for keywords, and decide in two seconds whether to care or not.
But when you get a voice message? It forces a pause.
“Huh. This is new. Someone actually sent a voice?”
Boom. You’ve just disrupted their mental pattern, and that tiny moment of curiosity can make the difference between “ignored” and “interested.”
2. You Sound Real (Because You Are)
Written messages can be misread. Is that sentence sarcastic? Is this person being pushy or just confident?
Voice clears all that up. You can hear the tone, feel intent. You come across as a person, not a pitch.
It builds trust. Quickly.
Especially if you're in sales, recruiting, or any kind of outreach, your tone of voice can say more than 1,000 well-chosen words. People respond to humans, not sales robots.
3. You Save Time (For Everyone)
Typing out a personalized message? Can take a few minutes.
Recording a quick 45-second voice note where you explain who you are and why you're reaching out? Done in under a minute. Easy.
Even better? The recipient doesn’t need to read a chunky paragraph—they just listen while sipping their coffee.
No fluff. No typos (okay, unless you speak in typos). Just straight to the point.
Voice Messaging for Lead Generation: Why It’s Working Now
This part’s important, so let’s zoom in a bit.
Voice messages are effective right now because… hardly anyone’s doing them.
It’s like email in the 90s. The inbox isn’t flooded yet. So when you drop a voice message, you’re not competing with 50 others in the same format. You're catching people off guard in the best way.
But here’s the twist: it’s not just what you send, it’s why you’re sending it.
When you use voice for LinkedIn outreach, especially in a lead generation context, you’re signaling effort. You’re showing that this isn’t just another cold blast—you actually took the time to speak.
That’s powerful. And people notice.
How to Use Voice Messaging Without Making It Weird
Let’s be honest: if you just scream into the mic for 60 seconds about your product, you’re gonna get ghosted.
So here’s what actually works:
• Be Normal
Don’t overthink it. Talk like you would if you bumped into this person at a networking event.
“Hey James, thanks for connecting—I saw your post on supply chain tech and figured I’d say hi. Would love to hear more about what you’re working on this quarter.”
That’s it. Chill. Human. Not pitchy.
• Keep It Short
Under 60 seconds. Ideally 30-45. Long messages? They’ll skip. Or worse, they won’t even hit play.
• Mention Something Specific
Reference a post they made. A role they’re hiring for. A trend in their industry. Show you’ve done at least 10 seconds of homework.
• Ask a Simple Question
Don't end on “Let me know if you’re interested”—it feels like a dead-end. Try:
“Curious to hear how you’re handling [insert challenge] right now?”
Now they’ve got a reason to reply.
Voice vs. Video: What’s the Difference?
Some people might ask: if voice is good, wouldn’t video be better?
Yes… and no.
Video is great, but it takes more effort—recording, lighting, editing (even if you’re keeping it raw). And for some people, it’s overkill.
Voice, on the other hand, is quick. Raw. Effortless.
It feels personal without being overly polished. It’s less “presentation,” more “conversation.”
That said, if you can use video (especially for warm leads), it’s a great follow-up tool. Voice grabs attention. Video closes the loop.
Mistakes People Make (Don’t Be That Person)
Let’s keep it real. Some folks ruin voice messaging before they even start.
Here’s how not to do it:
- Talking too fast and cramming everything into 60 seconds. Breathe.
- Rambling with no clear purpose. What do you want from this message?
- Using voice and sending a 400-word text right after. Pick a lane.
- Sounding bored. Energy matters. Be upbeat, not like you're on message #87 of the day.
What Happens After You Send One?
Good question.
Often, people reply with surprise. “Hey, thanks for the message—haven’t gotten one of those before.”
That’s your in.
Now you’re no longer cold. You’re in a convo. And once you’re in a convo, you can start qualifying, sharing value, and—yep—booking calls.
I’ve seen it myself: voice messages on LinkedIn are leading to actual sales calls and client wins. Not in six weeks. Not after five follow-ups. In days.
Final Thoughts: Voice Is the Future, but the Window’s Small
This won’t last forever.
Eventually, LinkedIn voice messaging might become the new norm for LinkedIn outreach and others, and once everyone’s doing it, the novelty wears off. That’s why right now is the time to jump in.
Whether you’re in B2B sales, LinkedIn Outreach, recruiting, consulting, or just trying to build real connections in your industry, LinkedIn voice messaging is a no-cost way to stand out, connect faster, and spark better convos.
So seriously—grab your phone, open LinkedIn, hit that mic, and start talking.