Close More Deals With Files and Voice Notes on LinkedIn 

It should be no secret that LinkedIn is becoming the best place to prospect. Think about it, millions of qualified professionals are all interested in growing their professional network. That sounds like the perfect place to get some leads. 

However, we’re not the first ones to say this (and if you’re just catching on, you’re late to the party). Most well-qualified leads are well-prospected on LinkedIn – meaning your outreach has to be unique, engaging, and professional. Today we’re talking about how you can stun your audience by using files and voice notes. 

If you don’t want to read this article, then don’t – watch the video below instead!

What’s the Value in a Voice Message or File?

We’ve said it once, but let’s say it again. Files and audio messages both stand out. Among hundreds of “Can we have a 10/min Zoom to talk about your business needs,” a well-created visual or personal voice message is often what’s needed to make a prospect respond. In short, visual content has the power to captivate and engage your prospects in ways that ordinary text messages can’t. 

But that’s not the only reason why files are important in prospecting. Secondly, sending files (i.e., downloadable resources) establishes your credibility. And for a lot of prospects, gaining trust and credibility is the first step in opening the door for a conversation. 

If you’re wondering what resources we recommend for your files, we’ll tell you: whitepapers, e-books, podcasts, and how-to guides. If you’re also wondering how to make these, then it might be time to expand your content marketing team!

But what about audio messages? Audio messages are great for a lot of these same reasons, however, the biggest one is trust. In the same way, a phone call is more engaging than an email; a voice message is more trustworthy than a message. 

Of course, you don’t need to send a voice message or file to stand out (however, it does help). Learn how to send an engaging message here.

How to Send Files on LinkedIn

Now that we understand the value of sending files on LinkedIn let’s talk about how you can actually do this. Below you’ll find the 7-step process:

1. Log in to your LinkedIn account and navigate to the “messages” tab. 
2. Open a conversation with the prospect to whom you want to send a file.
3. Click on the attachment icon (represented as a “+” in the corner) within the messaging tab.
4. Choose the file you’re sending from your computer or cloud storage.
5. Once the file is uploaded, write a short personalized message to accompany the file. This can be your prospecting message or just a message that provides context or explains its relevance.
6. Review the message and attached file (double-check your professionalism). 
7. Send the message and file!

If you’re looking to start finding more leads, you’ve come to the right place. Start finding new (and highly qualified) leads via LinkedIn events.

What To Consider When Sending Files to a Prospect

• File Formats: LinkedIn supports various file formats, including PDF, DOC, PPT, and XLS. If you’re sending something to new prospects, use a format that is widely accessible and compatible with different devices and operating systems.
• File Size: Be mindful of the file size, as larger files may take longer to upload and download. Compressing files when necessary can help optimize the sharing process and minimize any potential issues.
• The File Name: Because nobody wants “untitled” in their downloads folder. Always remember to name the files clearly and concisely. That way, your prospect can easily find the file again.
• Privacy and Permissions: Consider the privacy settings of the files you share. LinkedIn allows you to control who can access the files you send. Depending on the sensitivity of the information, you may choose to restrict access or require permission to view the file.
• File Hosting Platforms: For larger files, we recommend that you use file hosting platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. That way, you can upload the file to the platform and then just share a link with your prospect. 

How to Send Voice Notes on LinkedIn

So, you know how to send a file – but what about voice notes? Here’s how:

1. Open the LinkedIn app on your phone or tablet.
2. Navigate to the messaging interface and open a conversation with the prospect to whom you want to send a voice note.
3. Look for the microphone icon within the messaging interface.
4. Click and hold the microphone button to record your voice note.
5. Once you’ve finished recording, release the microphone icon to stop recording.
6. Review the voice note.
7. Send it. 

Recording a voice note takes practice – you want to sound professional, but not robotic. For best results, you can use your voice recordings for your LinkedIn profile… It just may boost your profile ranking.

Best Practices for Prospecting with Files and Voice Notes

So, you know how to send files and voice notes. But we’re not going to leave you hanging. Instead, let’s cover how you should handle sending these files:

• Understand Their Needs: To make a lasting impact with your files and voice notes, it is crucial to understand your prospects’ needs, preferences, and pain points. Personalizing your approach based on this understanding can significantly improve your conversion.
• Keep it Concise: In today’s fast-paced digital environment, attention spans are shorter than ever. To make the most impact with your files and voice notes, it is essential to keep the content concise, focused, and easily digestible. 
• Highlight Takeaways: For the sake of brevity, we love to send a summary of the file or voice note. That way, even if your prospects just glance at the files, they can still gain the most important parts – the takeaways. 

Overcoming Potential Challenges and Pitfalls

Of course, these are a couple of negatives (and often big mistakes) you can make when sending files and voice notes to prospective clients. Here’s what we’d say: 

• Ensure Security: Privacy and data security are the top concerns when someone you don’t know shares a file with you. To protect sensitive information, consider using secure file formats and encryption. More importantly, send a file that people know they can trust. 
• Encryption: If you really want to take the next step when it comes to safety, try using a file format with password encryption (common in PDFs). By using secure file formats and encryption, you can instill confidence in your prospects and protect their privacy.
• Quality Vs. Quantity: Less technical, but still important is the balance of quality vs. quantity. Like anything, the last thing you want to do is overwhelm your client. For that reason, we always recommend something short and high-quality than the opposite. 
• Keep it Professional: While sending voice notes and files can be more creative, exciting, and intimate, you still want to keep it professional. Sure, throw in a joke or question, but make sure to keep it workplace friendly. 

Conclusion

In the world of LinkedIn prospecting, sending files and voice notes can be powerful tools to enhance your communication, showcase your expertise, and build meaningful connections with your prospects. Seriously, it’s impressive what some expertly crafted images can do for your sales efforts. 

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