Prefer ‘saying it’ over ‘typing it’?

LinkedIn voice messaging feature

While LinkedIn’s blog says, “Whether you’re responding while walking or multitasking, or need to give an in-depth explanation, voice messages let you more easily and quickly communicate in your own voice with your connections”, to most people it came as a bizarre move!

The feature, however, is incredibly easy to use. Users can record voice messages (of up to one minute) simply by tapping the microphone icon on the messaging keyboard and holding the microphone in the circle. Releasing the microphone icon sends the message while sliding the finger away from the microphone icon while holding it down cancels them.

Zack Hendlin, LinkedIn’s Senior Product Manager, explains why LinkedIn Voice Messaging is a great idea –

• People speak faster than they type. This means voice messages are good if you want to explain complex ideas.
• Speaking is easier than typing when you are on the move. You do not have to stop to record a voice message as opposed to typing.
• A voice message is better than a phone call because it allows recipients to respond when they have a free moment.
• A message in your own voice allows a more personal connection and effective communication. Your tone and personality are reflected in a voice message but may get lost in translation in written communications.

That said, we are not sure if voice messages are useful for LinkedIn users. On LinkedIn, you don’t have ‘friends’ or ‘followers’, you have ‘connections’. You wouldn’t call up people you don’t know to discuss potential employment, you would rather send that person an email, wouldn’t you?

If you are looking for innovative digital marketing solutions to develop a trustworthy reputation with a target audience, get in touch with OgreLogic, the best digital marketing agency in Austin, Texas. Call OgreLogic at +1 (512) 861-8471 for digital marketing services that generate revenue in the most cost-effective manner possible.