LinkedIn has introduced a new feature that will let you record up-to 10-second audio clip pronouncing your name in order to help other users pronounce it correctly.
“Starting this week we are adding an audio recording feature to your Profile so you’ll have the ability to create a recording of your name pronunciation, which will then be clickable on your profile. Once you add a recording, other members visiting your profile can quickly listen to the recording to better understand your pronunciation preference and, subsequently, ensure they can correctly say your name. You can also listen to other members’ pronunciations by visiting their profiles when they have added a recording” according to LinkedIn blog.
The audio clips will appear as an icon on the right-hand side of profile names. You can only add the audio clips using Android and iOS but playback is available accessible on both desktop and mobile. To add a recording on your profile, all you need is:
- Open the LinkedIn mobile app and tap View Profile.
- Tap Edit.
- You will see a new option dubbed Record name Pronunciation that you also need to click.
- The phone will start recording so you have to make sure your clip is within the 10-second limit.
- After that, you can then upload it on your profile and save.
The feature is designed to minimize awkward or unprofessional mistakes when speaking to contacts for the first time. This will be effective especially at this time where virtual meeting have replaced the in-person meetings, there’s a high chance one can easily miss on a name spelling.
A similar feature for digital pronunciations was first offered by Facebook for many years and its crucial for any professional networking platform.
Joseph Akoni, a product manager at LinkedIn says “everyone, including myself, makes mistakes when pronouncing other people’s names. I’ve encountered this personally with my Nigerian middle name there’s a 99% chance someone won’t pronounce it correctly on the first try.” as reported by the Wallstreet Journal.