Summary

• Triple Your Replies: LinkedIn voice notes can triple response rates from a typical 5% to over 15% by cutting through text-based noise with a personal, human touch.

• Time it Right: For best results, send a voice note after an initial text-based reply. Keep it under 30 seconds and focus on asking a genuine question, not delivering a sales pitch.

• Boost Follow-Ups: A simple text follow-up like, "Did my voice clip come through okay?" sent two days later can get a 40% response rate on previously unanswered voice notes.

• Send From Desktop: While LinkedIn restricts voice notes to mobile, you can send them directly from your computer and organize your follow-up strategy using a tool like Kondo.

Your LinkedIn inbox is a battleground. Every day, prospects are bombarded with dozens of generic, copy-paste messages that all blend together in an endless stream of "I noticed you're the [job title] at [company]..."

The hard truth? Only 10-25% of outreach messages typically receive any response at all. For most professionals, that number hovers closer to a dismal 5%.

But what if there was a way to triple your response rates and create genuine connections that cut through this digital noise?

Enter LinkedIn voice notes - the pattern-interrupting strategy that's helping savvy networkers boost their response rates from 5% to an impressive 15% or more.

Why Voice Notes Cut Through the Noise

In a sea of text-based outreach, voice notes stand out for three powerful reasons:

The Novelty Factor

Voice messages are still surprisingly uncommon in professional outreach. When Dave Bentham's SDR team replaced traditional InMails with voice notes, they saw their reply rate increase by an astonishing 7 times. Why? Because receiving a voice note is an intriguing experience that naturally captures attention in a way text simply cannot.

The Personal & Human Touch

Hearing a human voice conveys tone, emotion, and sincerity that text will never match. It shows you've made an effort beyond a simple copy-paste, which can increase response rates by up to 32%.

As LinkedIn power user Faris Aranki (who sent over 1,500 voice notes in 2023) often hears from his connections:

"What a nice way to start a conversation; I wasn't even aware you could send voice notes on LinkedIn!"

"It's rare to get such an amazing voice note after connecting with someone on LinkedIn."

Higher Emotional Connection

Voice notes activate different parts of the recipient's brain than text, creating what sales professionals call "pattern interrupts" that bypass the usual mental filters. This leads to stronger emotional engagement - or as Faris Aranki calls them, a "gamechanger" for building relationships and improving EQ.

One sales rep reported receiving this feedback: "this was my first sales voicemail, and it was great!" - a sentiment that would be nearly impossible to achieve with standard text messaging.

The Data-Backed Impact: Beyond Anecdotes

The effectiveness of voice notes isn't just anecdotal - the data shows impressive results:

Case Study: The 63% Response Rate

Faris Aranki tracked the results of his last 100 voice notes sent on LinkedIn and documented a 63% response rate, with less than 3% being negative responses. His analysis revealed several key insights:

• Voice notes sent in the evening had significantly better response rates than those sent in the morning or afternoon

• Longer-term connections were more likely to reply than newer ones

• 8% of responses were replies using a voice note in return, especially from younger connections

The 40% Follow-Up Technique

Dave Bentham's team discovered a simple follow-up technique that yielded a 40% response rate for previously unanswered voice notes. Their approach? A simple text message sent two days later saying: "Hey [Name], did my voice clip come through okay?"

This non-threatening follow-up creates a perfect second touchpoint without appearing pushy.

The Ultimate Guide to Crafting High-Impact LinkedIn Voice Notes

Now that you understand why voice notes work, let's break down exactly how to create them effectively:

Step 1: Get the Timing Right (Don't Lead With It)

The most common mistake people make is sending voice notes too early in the relationship. As one LinkedIn user bluntly puts it: "Don't send it as a first message! Message them first, once they respond, then do it."

This "permission-first" approach primes the recipient and gauges their interest level. You can even explicitly ask: "Would it be helpful if I sent over a quick voice note explaining this?"

Step 2: Scripting for Success (Without Sounding Scripted)

The key is to sound authentic while still having a clear structure. Here are two proven frameworks:

The "Feedback Request" Script:

• Introduction: "Hi [Name], it's [Your Name], great to connect with you!"

• Value Proposition: Brief mention of how you help people like them

• Feedback Request: "Just wanted to have a quick chat... any feedback on what I am doing here is much appreciated."

• Closing: "Thank you [Name]."

Pro Tip: Add a natural laugh or smile when recording to make it feel less salesy.

The "Relevant Question" Script:

• "Hey [Name], it's [Your Name]. Great to connect with you! I noticed you're leading the [department], and I wanted to introduce you to [Your Company/Service]. We specialize in [specific value proposition]. Do you currently use any similar tools?"

Step 3: Master the Delivery

Keep it brief - aim for 30 seconds or less. Respect their time. Smile when recording, as a friendly demeanor translates through your voice even when they can't see you.

Common Pitfalls and How to Sidestep Them

Even with all the benefits, voice notes can backfire if not used correctly. Here are the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them:

The Pitch Slap

"If you try to do a commercial and pitch then no it won't work," warns one LinkedIn user. Voice notes should never be sales pitches disguised as personal messages.

Solution: Focus on making it about them and the pain you can solve for them. Ask questions that show genuine interest rather than launching into your value proposition.

The Generational/Preference Mismatch

Not everyone appreciates voice notes equally. As one sales professional observed, "many decision makers in their 30's and 40s appreciate an old-fashioned approach."

Solution: Know your audience. For more traditional industries or demographics, the permission-first approach is crucial before sending a voice note.

Lack of Scannability

Voice notes can't be skimmed like text, which means busy people might forget them or put off listening until later (and then forget entirely).

Solution: Accompany your voice note with a short text message that provides context, e.g., "Hey [Name], just sent a quick voice note with a thought about [topic]. Let me know what you think!"

Scaling Your Voice Note Strategy from Your Desktop

Here's where many professionals hit a roadblock: LinkedIn natively restricts voice note recording to its mobile app. This creates friction for SDRs, recruiters, and founders who work primarily on their desktops and disrupts their workflow.

The Desktop Solution: Kondo

This is where Kondo (often described as 'Superhuman for LinkedIn') offers a unique advantage. With Kondo, you can record and send voice notes directly from your desktop - something the native LinkedIn interface doesn't allow.

Simply press the V shortcut or click the microphone icon in the Kondo desktop app to record, playback, and send your voice note without ever touching your phone.

Building an Efficient Outreach System

Voice notes are most effective when integrated into a comprehensive messaging strategy. Kondo helps create this system with features that complement voice notes:

• Snippets: Use the ; shortcut to insert your pre-voice note text intro to save time

• Reminders: After sending a voice note, hit H to set a reminder to follow up in two days, automating the 40% response rate chaser strategy

• Labels & Split Inboxes: Use the L shortcut to label conversations like 'Voice Note Sent' to track your pipeline

This systematic approach helps users process LinkedIn messages up to 2x faster and save up to 30 minutes daily, turning the LinkedIn inbox into an organized, high-speed hub.

Start Your First Voice Note Today

The data is clear: LinkedIn voice notes can dramatically increase your response rates from the typical 5% up to 15% or more when done correctly.

Success depends on three key factors:

1. Proper timing - building a foundation before sending voice notes

2. Authentic, non-salesy delivery focused on the recipient

3. A strategic follow-up plan

The most important step is to simply begin. Challenge yourself to send your first well-crafted voice note today using the frameworks provided.

And if you're serious about making this a seamless part of your daily workflow without switching between devices, tools like Kondo can help you send voice notes directly from your desktop while organizing your entire LinkedIn communication strategy.

In a world of generic, forgettable outreach, your voice - literally - could be the difference between being ignored and being heard.

Frequently Asked Questions

How effective are LinkedIn voice notes?

LinkedIn voice notes can be highly effective, often tripling response rates from the typical 5% for text messages to 15% or more. Their effectiveness comes from their novelty in a text-dominated inbox, the personal touch of hearing a human voice, and their ability to create a stronger emotional connection that cuts through the noise.

When is the best time to send a voice note on LinkedIn?

The best time to send a voice note is after you have already established a connection and received an initial text-based reply. Sending a voice note as the very first message can be perceived as too forward. It's best to start with a text message to gauge interest, and once the person responds, you can follow up with a voice note to add a personal touch.

How long should a LinkedIn voice note be?

A LinkedIn voice note should be brief and respectful of the recipient's time, ideally 30 seconds or less. The goal is to deliver a concise, high-impact message that is easy for a busy professional to listen to. Keeping it short ensures your main point is heard and prevents the recipient from tuning out.

Can I send LinkedIn voice notes from my desktop?

Natively, the LinkedIn platform only allows you to record and send voice notes from its mobile app. However, third-party tools like Kondo are designed to solve this exact problem, allowing you to record, manage, and send voice notes directly from your desktop computer to streamline your outreach workflow.

What should I do if my voice note doesn't get a response?

If your voice note doesn't get a response, send a simple, non-pushy text-based follow-up message about two days later. A highly effective technique is to simply ask, "Hey [Name], did my voice clip come through okay?" This gentle nudge serves as a second touchpoint and has been shown to yield a 40% response rate on previously unanswered voice notes.

What are the biggest mistakes to avoid when sending voice notes?

The biggest mistakes are being too salesy, sending the voice note as the first point of contact, and not providing any text context. A voice note should never be a direct sales pitch; instead, focus on asking genuine questions. Always warm up the contact with text first, and accompany the voice note with a short message explaining its topic (e.g., "Just sent a quick voice note about [topic]").

Ready to try voice notes from your desktop? Check out Kondo to see how it can transform your LinkedIn messaging experience with desktop voice notes, split inboxes, and powerful productivity tools.