If you have an older iOS device, such as an iPhone 4S, you have probably chosen not to update to iOS 8. Which means you're missing the fun of sending audio messages to your friends and family. The way around that is to record and share brief Voice Memos instead.
Open Voice Memos and tap the red button to record your brief message. (Make sure you keep it short or the file may be too large to share with the Message app.) When you are finished, tap the red button again and then tap Done. Name your memo and tap Save. Now you are ready to share your audio message.
Tap on the voice memo you wish to share and then tap on the share icon. Choose Messages to send the voice memo in an iMessage to your iOS-using friends. You can also email the voice memo to anyone with access to iTunes on their computer.
Top image credit: Sergey Nivens / Shutterstock.com