LinkedIn Voice Messages: The Key to Getting More Replies

Why LinkedIn voice messages work

Voice messages work because they:

1. Add a human element to your outreach: When someone hears your voice, they can hear your enthusiasm in a way that text alone can’t convey.
2. Provide a break from standard LinkedIn messages: Most sales professionals rely on text-based outreach, so voice messages help you stand out because your prospects aren’t used to receiving them.
3. Create genuine connections at scale: A voice message feels personal to each recipient, even when they are a part of automated sequences.

This effectiveness is something that leading sales experts have noticed. Matteo Fois, founder at TAM Accelerator, emphasizes the value: “LinkedIn voice messages and personalized videos are still untapped outbound channels. You don’t receive many voice messages in your LinkedIn inbox right now – maybe more than a few months ago, but it’s still untapped. Same for video messages. These are great for doing outbound.”

LinkedIn voice messages in practice

Imagine Paul, a Sales Director who receives messages like these every day:

Hello Paul,

I visited your profile and I believe I have an opportunity that might interest you as a Sales Director. Would you have a few minutes to spare?

Not very exciting. And totally automated! This message needs:

• More authenticity to make it sound like it’s coming from a real person
• A clearer value proposition so Paul understands the value he can get if he responds
• A distinguishing element that makes the message stand out from all the others in Paul’s inbox

Let’s look at how incorporating voice messages can address these needs. Here’s an example of a thoughtfully structured sequence that combines text and voice to create a more engaging conversation:

Initial text message: Hi Paul, I noticed your company’s recent expansion into [market]. I have some relevant insights to share based on our work with similar companies.

Voice Follow-up: Hi Paul! Just wanted to give you some more context about why I reached out. We’ve been working with several companies in [industry] who faced similar scaling challenges. They were particularly interested in how we helped them [specific value proposition]. I’d be happy to share more details if you’re interested.

3rd text message: Following up on my voice message about [specific point mentioned]. Here’s a quick case study showing how we helped another [industry] company achieve [specific result]: [Link]. Let me know if you’d like to discuss how we could do the same for [prospect’s company].

Best practices for using LinkedIn voice messages

To make voice messaging work for you, follow these three rules:

1. Don’t lead with a voice message

Instead, start the discussion with an initial text message, follow up with a voice message, then send a third written message referencing something from your voice message. This creates a natural conversation flow while breaking the monotony of text.

2. Record natural messages

That’s the whole point of voice messages: creating a genuine connection. Imagine you’re sending this message to a specific person, as if leaving a voicemail. The message shouldn’t be over-rehearsed – just enough preparation to feel confident.

3. Use smart personalization

La Growth Machine’s Voice Message feature lets you send voice messages at scale. To take personalization even further, you can use the AI option to clone your voice: choose the language that corresponds to your target and use variables to mention each prospect by name. Find a full tutorial here.

Common voice message mistakes to avoid

It’s easy to make mistakes when getting started with voice messages. Here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:

Technical issues

Recording quality can make or break your voice message effectiveness. Common issues include:

• Recording in noisy environments with distracting background sounds
• Speaking too close or too far from your microphone
• Rushing through your message, making it hard to understand
• Recording messages that are too long (anything over 60 seconds)

To avoid these issues, find a quiet space and do a test recording first. Listen to how you sound and adjust accordingly. Remember, your voice message represents you and your company – make sure the quality reflects that.

Content mistakes

The way you structure and deliver your message matters just as much as the technical quality. Here are content mistakes to watch out for:

• Starting with a lengthy personal introduction instead of focusing on value
• Including too many details that would be better discussed live
• Using the same script for everyone without adapting to different segments
• Ending without a clear next step or call to action

Instead, keep your message focused on one key point, demonstrate that you’ve done your homework, and make it easy for prospects to take the next step.

Strategic errors

Even perfect voice messages won’t perform well if used incorrectly in your outreach strategy. Common strategic mistakes include:

• Leading with a voice message before establishing any context
• Using voice messages for every touchpoint in your sequence
• Missing opportunities to reference your voice message in later communications

The key is to use voice messages strategically as part of a thoughtful sequence. They should complement your text messages, not replace them entirely.

Scaling voice messages while maintaining quality

The challenge with voice messages is maintaining personalization while reaching more prospects. Here are strategies that work:

Segment your audience carefully. Group prospects by:

• Industry challenges
• Company stage
• Current technology stack
• Recent company events

Create message templates for each segment that can be easily customized. Include:

• Industry-specific insights
• Common pain points
• Relevant case studies
• Personalization points

Test different approaches with small groups before scaling. Track:

• Response rates
• Meeting conversion
• Prospect feedback
• Message effectiveness

Next steps

Voice messages are a real opportunity to stand out and boost your response rates. Whether you’re in sales, growth, or business development, they’re sure to find a place in your LinkedIn strategy.

Is your current campaign not performing as well as you’d like? Several factors can come into play: timing, segmentation, your message structure, AND your voice message approach. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different multichannel sequences and outreach strategies to find what works best for your target audience.