Out of the 51% of video marketers who used LinkedIn video as a channel, 81% say it’s been successful for them.
In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about LinkedIn video and how to utilize this potent marketing channel.
Let’s dive in!
How to Publish LinkedIn Native Video?
After you’ve spruced up your video using a video editing tool or you decided to publish it raw, it’s time to upload it to LinkedIn.
Publishing LinkedIn native video varies depending on if you’re on a desktop or mobile app. I’ll provide a step-by-step guide for both of these options.
Desktop
Step 1: To post a LinkedIn native video on desktop, navigate to your LinkedIn Feed and click the “Video” button.
Step 2: Next, you will be prompted to upload a pre-recorded video from your desktop computer.
Step 3: After you’ve uploaded a video, you’ll have an option to upload a Thumbnail (JPEG, GIF, and PNG only) and upload a video caption file (SRT only).
Step 4: Finally, the next window will allow you to add a description, hashtags, and decide who can see your video post.
And that’s it! You just created a LinkedIn native video post!
Mobile
The LinkedIn mobile app gives you two options: you can upload an existing video from your phone just like you would from your desktop computer or you can record a brand new video while you’re creating your native video post.
Since you already know how to upload an existing video, let’s take a look at what to do if you want to create a brand new video on the spot.
Step 1: Open the LinkedIn app and navigate to the Feed on your iOS or Android mobile phone or tablet. There, click on the plus icon with “Post” under it to start the process.
Step 2: Next, choose the “Take a video” option to start recording your video. Note: LinkedIn app will ask you for access to your phone’s camera and microphone if it’s not enabled yet. You can do this in the phone Settings.
Step 3: Next, you can now start recording the video. You have a few additional options in the top right corner; you can place a sticker on the screen that will show up in the video, turn your phone’s flashlight on or off, and switch between the front and back camera.
Step 4: After recording the video, you’ll be presented with a couple of editing options; again, you can choose to place one of the provided stickers in your video, you can cut the video, and you can add text to the video.
Step 5: The final step of this process will allow you to add a post description, hashtags, and set who can view your post when it’s published.
And you’re done!
How to Embed Videos on LinkedIn?
There are two options when it comes to embedding videos on LinkedIn.
Option 1: Embedding Video Directly From a Video Platform
The first option is to Share a video from any video platform like YouTube or Vimeo. When you find a video you want to embed, click the “Share” button, which is typically placed below the video.
Then, you will be re-directed to LinkedIn, where first you’ll choose if you wish to embed the video as a private message or in a post. If you choose to embed the video in a post, you’ll be able to create a post description, add hashtags, and choose who can see your post. And that’s it!
Option 2: Embedding Video in a LinkedIn Article
The second option is to embed a video in your LinkedIn article. When you’re creating your article, you’ll notice a little box icon with a plus sign in its bottom right corner.
After clicking on it, choose “Video” from the options that appear, and paste the link to the video in the video link box that appears. Press Enter, and the video will be embedded in your article.
LinkedIn Native Videos vs Embedded Videos
Native videos are created and hosted on the LinkedIn platform itself, while embedded videos are hosted elsewhere. LinkedIn favors the native videos in the sense that native videos auto-play in the feed while embedded videos do not.
Native videos tend to do better than embedded videos on other platforms like Facebook and there’s no reason to believe LinkedIn is an exception.
One other notable difference is the fact that native videos length is limited to 15 minutes when uploading to desktop and 10 minutes when uploading from the LinkedIn mobile app while you can embed a video of any length.
LinkedIn Video Technical Specifications
Maximum file size: 5GB
Minimum file size: 75KB
Maximum video duration: 15 minutes when uploading from desktop and 10 minutes when uploading from the LinkedIn mobile app.
Minimum video duration: 3 seconds
Resolution range: 256×144 to 4096×2304
Aspect ratio: 1:2.4 – 2.4:1
Frame rates: 10fps – 60 fps
Bit rates: 192 kbps – 30 Mbps
Supported file types: ASF, FLV, MPEG-1, MPEG-4, MKV, WebM, H264/AVC, MP4, VP8, VP9, WMV2, and WMV3
Unsupported file types: AVI, ProRes, MPEG-2, Raw Video, VP6, WMV1, QuickTime,and .MOV
How to Download Videos from LinkedIn?
You might want to download a video from LinkedIn for a few different reasons. Maybe you saw an inspiring talk from a business leader that you want to share with your team, or you want to watch a product demo again before making a purchase decision.
Whatever the reason, it’s easy to download videos from LinkedIn. Just follow these simple steps:
Step 1: First, go to the video page on LinkedIn. Under the video player, there will be a “Share” button. Click on that button and then choose the “Copy link” option.
Step 2: Open a new browser tab and go to a site like Keep Flick. Paste the link you copied into the input field on this page and click “Download.”
Step 3: For desktop, right-click on the Download button and choose the Save Links As Option. For mobile, Long Press on the Download button and choose Download Link Option. In both cases, the video will be saved in the MP4 format to your device.
LinkedIn Video Ad Campaigns
LinkedIn video ads allow you to target your audience with laser precision. You can reach LinkedIn members by job title, company size, or other factors.
And because LinkedIn members are already engaged in professional content, they’re more likely to watch your video ad all the way through. If you’re looking for a powerful way to reach professionals, LinkedIn video advertising is the answer.
LinkedIn Video Ads Technical Specifications
Video File Type: MP4
Video Sound Format: AAC or MPEG4
Ratio:
- 4:5 (vertical, 0.8)
- 9:16 (vertical; 0.57)
- 16:9 (landscape; 1.78)
- 1:1 (square; 1.0)
Video File Size: 75 KB (min) – 200 MB (max)
Video Duration: 3 seconds – 30 minutes
Thumbnail Aspect Ratio & Resolution: Match video
Make sure to check out the detailed LinkedIn video ad technical specifications here.
LinkedIn Profile Video
Since early 2022, LinkedIn users have had an option to add a short introductory profile video in addition to their profile photos. Profile videos are displayed as three-second previews before the profile reverts back to a photo.
The users must click on the profile video to view the full video. You will know that someone has a profile video if they have a blue circle around their profile photo. LinkedIn profile videos must be at least 3 seconds long, up to 30 seconds at the most.
To add a profile video, navigate to the homepage of your LinkedIn profile and tap your profile photo. A menu will pop up where you want to select the “Add profile video” option.
From there, you’ll be able to either record the video on the spot or upload an existing video from your device. Before adding the video to your profile, you’ll be able to add stickers and text to it.
13 Benefits of Posting Video Content on LinkedIn
In today’s business world, it’s more important than ever to have an online presence. And one of the best ways to raise your profile and connect with potential clients is to add video to your LinkedIn content strategy.
Video is an incredibly powerful medium, and by sharing informative or entertaining videos on LinkedIn, you can quickly build up a base of followers who are interested in what you have to say.
Here are 13 benefits of posting video content on LinkedIn.
1. Increased reach and engagement – video content is more likely to be seen and interacted with than other forms of content on LinkedIn.
2. More engaging – video is a more engaging and interactive way to communicate than text or images alone.
3. Increased brand awareness – video content can help increase brand awareness and reach on LinkedIn.
4. Greater connection with the audience – video allows you to connect with your audience on a more personal level, building trust and rapport.
5. Humanizes your brand – video content humanizes your brand, making it more relatable and approachable.
6. Increases conversion rates – video is a powerful tool for driving conversions, whether it’s getting people to sign up for your email list or purchase your product.
7. Builds thought leadership – video content can help position you and your company as thought leaders in your industry.
8. Establishes expertise – video can help establish you and your company as experts in your field.
9. Generates leads – video content can help generate leads for your business.
10. Creates shareable content – video content is highly shareable, meaning it has the potential to reach a wide audience.
11. Entertains viewers – as well as being informative, video content can also be entertaining, keeping people engaged for longer.
12. Inspires action – video is a powerful tool for inspiring action, whether it’s getting people to sign up for your email list or make a purchase.
13. Tells a story – video is an excellent way to tell a story and connect with your audience on an emotional level.
8 LinkedIn Video Tips and Best Practices
1. Keep it short and sweet – people have short attention spans, so make sure your videos are under 2-3 minutes whenever possible.
2. Get to the point quickly – The first 10-15 seconds of your video are crucial in grabbing your viewer’s attention. Make sure you make a strong and clear statement right from the start.
3. Use engaging visuals – LinkedIn is a visual platform, so make sure your videos are visually appealing. Use strong visuals and graphics to get your point across.
4. Use engaging audio – LinkedIn users are likelier to watch a video with engaging audio than without. Ensure your audio is clear and concise and your voice is easy to understand.
5. Use subtitles – LinkedIn videos auto-play without sound, so make sure to add subtitles to your videos. This way, users can still follow along even if they cannot listen to the audio.
6. Promote your videos – Just because you’ve uploaded a LinkedIn video doesn’t mean people will automatically see it. You need to promote your videos through your other channels, as well as within LinkedIn itself.
7. Analyze your LinkedIn video analytics – LinkedIn provides valuable analytics data for all videos uploaded to the platform. Make sure to check your analytics regularly to see how your videos perform and make necessary changes/improvements.
8. A/B test your LinkedIn videos – Like any other marketing content, it’s important to A/B test your LinkedIn videos. Try different video lengths, styles, and formats to see what works best for your company and audience.
10 LinkedIn Video Ideas to Jumpstart Your Creativity
1. Share your story – Everyone has a story, and sharing yours can help to connect with your viewers on a personal level.
2. Offer tips and advice – LinkedIn is a professional platform, so offering tips and advice related to your industry or profession is a great way to add value for your viewers.
3. Offer a behind-the-scenes look – People are always interested in getting a behind-the-scenes look at businesses or organizations. LinkedIn videos are the perfect platform to give your audience this type of inside access.
4. Teach something new – Teaching something new is a great way to show off your expertise and build trust with your audience.
5. Share a case study – Case studies are always popular, and sharing one related to your industry can add significant value for LinkedIn users.
6. Collaborate with others – Collaborating with other LinkedIn users can help to expand your reach and build relationships with other professionals.
7. Share how-to videos – How-to videos are always popular, and LinkedIn is no exception. Share helpful how-to videos that teach your audience something new.
8. Respond to common questions – Do you often get the same questions from your audience? Use LinkedIn videos to answer these questions and help your audience out.
9. Host a contest or giveaway – Everyone loves a good contest or giveaway, and LinkedIn is no exception. Use LinkedIn videos to host a contest or giveaway and engage your audience.
10. Conduct an interview – LinkedIn videos are a great way to connect with other experts in your industry. Conducting an interview is a great way to introduce your audience to new ideas and perspectives.
LinkedIn Video FAQs
Q: Can I add multiple videos to the same post?
A: No. You can only have one video per post.
Q: Can I add closed captions to my videos?
A: Yes, you can add closed captions by uploading the associated SRT file with the video.
Q: Who can see my videos?
A: You can set who can view your videos to Anyone, Connections only, and Group members.
Q: How to post a video to my company’s LinkedIn page?
A: Navigate to Products & Services. First, add a title to your video. Second, add a YouTube video URL.
Q: Can I upload videos from my iCloud account to LinkedIn?
A: No. The videos have to be stored on your device to upload them through the LinkedIn app.
Q: How long should LinkedIn videos be?
A: 2-3 minutes is a good rule of thumb. Anything more, and your video has to be really engaging to keep the viewers from moving on.
Q: Do LinkedIn videos need to be square?
A: No. You can post landscape videos as well.
Q: How to get a video to auto-play on LinkedIn?
A: Only native videos auto-play in the Feed. Embedded videos do not auto-play on LinkedIn.
Q: What counts as a view on LinkedIn?
A: A view is counted if the content has been played for 3 seconds or more.
Q: How does LinkedIn choose a video thumbnail?
A: If you do not manually set a thumbnail for your video, LinkedIn will automatically use the first frame as the thumbnail.
Q: How to lock a video from being downloaded from LinkedIn?
A: You can’t “lock” a video from being downloaded from LinkedIn because LinkedIn doesn’t provide a download option in the first place. Videos are downloaded using 3rd party services which LinkedIn does not and cannot control.
Conclusion
LinkedIn videos can be a great way to connect with your audience and promote your brand. They offer a more personal, engaging experience than text-based posts and can help you stand out from the competition.
To create successful LinkedIn videos, you need to know the right specs and best practices. I’ve outlined all that information for you here, along with some ideas for types of videos that will work well on LinkedIn.
Do you feel like you understand LinkedIn video as a channel better after reading this article? Let me know in the comments below!