Can we do an audio call on LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is primarily known as a professional networking and career development site, allowing users to create profiles, connect with colleagues and companies, search for jobs, and more. However, LinkedIn has been expanding its features over the years to become more of an all-encompassing social media platform. One question that often comes up is whether you can do an audio or video call directly within LinkedIn to connect with your networks.

The short answer is yes, LinkedIn does have an audio calling feature that allows you to have voice conversations with your connections right within the LinkedIn platform. This can be useful for quick catch-up calls, interviews, consulting sessions, and more.

Details of LinkedIn’s Audio Calling Feature

LinkedIn’s audio calling feature is available through LinkedIn Messaging. When you open a messaging thread with one of your 1st-degree connections, you will see the option to start an audio call with that person.

The call will ring the other person through LinkedIn and once answered, will open up a browser-based audio call that utilizes your computer’s microphone and speakers.

A few key things to know about LinkedIn audio calls:

• Only available for 1st-degree connections – you can only audio call people who you are directly connected with on LinkedIn.
• Call quality dependent on internet connection – since it’s a browser-based call, the audio quality will depend on the internet speeds of both callers.
• No dial-in option – Unlike conference lines, there is no dial-in number option. Both people must answer the call on LinkedIn’s platform.
• Call recording not supported – You cannot record LinkedIn audio calls natively.
• Mobile app support – The LinkedIn mobile app does support initiating and taking audio calls.

So in summary, while functionality is limited compared to dedicated conferencing solutions, LinkedIn Audio Calling provides a quick and easy way to have a voice conversation with your close network contacts right within the LinkedIn platform.

When to Use LinkedIn Audio Calling

Here are some examples of situations where using LinkedIn’s audio calling can be beneficial:

• Quick follow-up call after connecting with someone new
• An introductory call when messaging back and forth with a new connection
• Interviewing a candidate you found through LinkedIn Jobs
• A consulting session with a client who you network with through LinkedIn
• Catching up with a former colleague or classmate
• A quick Alignment or progress check-in call with a team member

The casual and personal nature of LinkedIn audio calls makes them convenient for these more conversational interactions with your network.

Pros and Cons of LinkedIn Audio Calls

Here is a summary of some of the key advantages and limitations of using LinkedIn audio calling versus other conferencing solutions:

Pros:

• Convenience – Ability to call directly from LinkedIn platform makes it easy and quick.
• Informal tone – The casual nature sets an informal, conversational tone from the start.
• No scheduling needed – You can call someone instantly if they are online.
• Cost – It’s free to use LinkedIn audio calling.
• Lightweight option – Provides a simple audio-only option if you don’t need full conferencing capabilities.

Cons:

• Audio quality inconsistent – Call quality relies on internet connection strength.
• No dial-in option – Cannot accommodate people calling in from phones.
• No call recording – You cannot record the call natively.
• Time limits – Calls may be capped at certain durations.
• Limited participation – Only for two people who are directly connected.

So in summary, LinkedIn audio calling provides a quick and easy option for casual conversations, but may lack some of the features and reliability required for formal business calls.

Best Practices for LinkedIn Audio Calls

Here are some best practices to follow when using LinkedIn audio calling:

• Confirm time in advance – Since you can call instantly, still confirm the meeting time/date details over message first.
• Use stable internet – For best quality, both parties should be on strong wifi connections.
• Test headphones & mic – Do a mic/speaker test before calling to avoid technical issues.
• Move to quiet area – Find a quiet, private space without background noise.
• Prepare talking points – Have an informal agenda ready to guide the conversation.
• Follow up over message – Recap any important discussion points or action items over message.
• Switch to formal platform if needed – For important calls, use a conferencing platform with more controls and capabilities.

Following best practices like these can help ensure a smooth experience when using LinkedIn audio calling for conversations with your network contacts.

Comparison to Other Audio Conferencing Options

How does LinkedIn audio calling compare to some other popular audio conference solutions like Skype, Zoom, and Google Meet? Here is a brief comparison:

As you can see, while LinkedIn provides free audio calling, platforms like Zoom and Google Meet have more robust feature sets, reliability, and controls for business usage.

Conclusion

LinkedIn audio calling provides a quick and lightweight way to have audio conversations with your direct connections right within the LinkedIn platform. While great for casual chats and one-off calls, formal business calls may benefit from a dedicated conferencing platform with more controls and capabilities. When using LinkedIn audio, follow best practices like testing equipment ahead of time, moving to a quiet environment, and confirming details over message for the best experience. With the right expectations set, LinkedIn audio calling can be a handy tool for networking calls with your connections.