Practical Sales Training™ > How to connect with your buyer > The Voice Note Effect
The Voice Note Effect
What Is It
A voice note, or a Loom video, can be a really powerful tool for getting your buyer’s attention.
So it’s not just another message in a busy inbox. It’s something that stops the scroll.
That difference alone often earns you a reply.
Why Does It Work
It works for a couple of reasons.
1 – It can’t be faked. If you get a voice note or video from someone, they can’t cut and paste it. They can’t spam you with it either. They need to put real effort and energy in.
2 – It allows for connection. When we hear people talk, or see them talk, we can generally size up the person from their energy. That builds trust faster than text alone. More on that here.
3 – It shows you care. Taking the time to send someone a personal note is far more powerful than any typed message.
How Can You Use It
Whether it’s the start of a relationship, or an ongoing chat on social media, voice notes work the same way. They make things feel more serious.
They show the other person you value them. They also help you focus on one specific thing in the conversation.
When It Works Best
This works best right at the start of a relationship. A first connection, a cold outreach, a moment where standing out genuinely matters.
It also works best when it’s short and specific. A rambling, unfocused voice note loses the advantage a tight, personal one creates.
When It Becomes Dangerous
It backfires if it feels forced or overly rehearsed. The whole appeal is authenticity, so a scripted voice note undoes its own purpose.
It also becomes risky if you send it to someone who’d genuinely prefer text. Not everyone wants to listen to audio, especially in a professional context.
Sending a voice note that’s too long tests the listener’s patience. Nobody wants to sit through several minutes for a simple message.
Common Mistakes
Recording something clearly scripted
Recording something clearly scripted removes the authenticity that makes voice notes work in the first place.
Sending audio when text would land better
Sending audio to someone who’d clearly prefer a quick written reply misjudges the moment. It can feel like extra effort for them, not less.
Letting the note run too long
A voice note that stretches past a minute starts to feel like a demand on someone’s time rather than a courtesy.
The Voice Note Effect – An Example
A LinkedIn Connection Request
Hypothetical Example: A sales consultant connects with a potential client on LinkedIn. Instead of sending a generic text message like:
“Hi Sarah, thanks for connecting! Let me know if you need sales advice.”
They record a 30-second voice note:
“Hi Sarah, thanks for connecting! I noticed you’re in the tech sector, many of my clients there struggle with converting leads into consistent sales. I’d love to share one quick tip that’s been working really well for them.”
This small effort feels personal and genuine, instantly standing out from the copy-paste messages that fill people’s inboxes. The potential client responds right away, intrigued and appreciative of the personal touch.
See also
