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Master LinkedIn Video: Tips for Creating Engaging Content

Written by Scott Baradell | Oct 16, 2024

LinkedIn video allows you to create engaging content that enhances your professional presence. This article will guide you through using LinkedIn video, optimizing posts, and connecting with your audience for better engagement.

Key Takeaways

  • LinkedIn’s new video feature emphasizes vertical short-form videos, offering a personalized feed that enhances user engagement and discovery.

  • Video content significantly outperforms written posts on LinkedIn, generating 20 times more engagement and faster revenue growth for businesses using it.

  • Creating effective LinkedIn videos requires optimization for mobile viewing, starting with engaging hooks, and using captions to boost accessibility and retention.

Understanding LinkedIn's New Video Feature

LinkedIn’s new video feature is designed to support vertical short-form video sharing, giving users a fresh way to build their personal or business brand. This exciting new addition allows for more dynamic content, making it easier for members to discover timely, relevant videos that align with their interests and professional needs.

Accessing this new feature is straightforward. In the LinkedIn app, a new ‘Video’ option appears next to the ‘Home’ button in the app’s navigation bar, making it easy for users to dive right into video content. Once a user taps on a video, they enter an ‘endless scroll’ experience, reminiscent of popular platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where more video content is automatically served based on their interests.

The video feed is algorithmically curated, with videos matched to users based on their in-app activity and profile details. This personalized approach ensures that the content you see is relevant and engaging. Additionally, LinkedIn has introduced in-feed video carousels, allowing multiple videos to be showcased as part of a cohesive story. This makes it easier for users to consume a wealth of information quickly and efficiently.

The Rise of Video Content on LinkedIn

Video content has become a dominant force on LinkedIn, with research indicating that approximately 85% of users prefer video over written posts. It’s no wonder, considering that LinkedIn users are 75% more likely to watch a video than read a text post. This shift towards video is not just a trend but a significant change in how professionals consume content on the platform.

The engagement statistics for video posts are staggering. LinkedIn reports that video posts receive 20 times more engagement than other types of posts. This high level of interaction translates into tangible benefits for businesses, with companies using video on LinkedIn experiencing a 49% faster growth in revenue compared to those that do not. Additionally, video uploads on LinkedIn have increased by 34% year-over-year, highlighting the growing importance of video on the platform.

As more businesses and influencers turn to LinkedIn to share video content, the platform has evolved to support this demand. LinkedIn has become a popular space for influencers to connect with their audience through video, and with 1.5 million pieces of content uploaded every minute, video remains the fastest-growing content type. This trend shows no signs of slowing down, making it crucial for professionals to embrace video as part of their LinkedIn strategy.

Why Short-Form Video is a Game Changer for Professionals

Short-form video is revolutionizing the way professionals connect and share insights on LinkedIn. These concise videos allow users to reach a larger audience, transcending their immediate connections and making a broader impact. For busy professionals, the ability to consume quick, insightful content is invaluable, and short-form video feeds deliver just that.

Mobile optimization is another key factor driving the success of short-form videos. With many users accessing LinkedIn on the go, videos optimized for mobile viewing ensure that content is accessible and engaging, no matter where the viewer is. Short videos, typically between 30 seconds and 2 minutes, are particularly effective at capturing and maintaining audience interest.

The power of short-form video lies in its ability to engage viewers quickly. Employing engaging hooks and dynamic opening statements within the first six seconds of a video is crucial for capturing attention. Furthermore, incorporating storytelling elements and authentic, unscripted content can significantly boost audience engagement. Episodic content, which unfolds over several videos, also encourages viewers to return for more, creating a loyal and engaged audience.

Tips for Creating Effective LinkedIn Videos

Creating effective LinkedIn videos requires a strategic approach to ensure your content resonates with your audience. From optimizing the video format to starting with an engaging hook and enhancing with text and captions, these tips will help you create compelling video content that stands out.

Let’s dive into these strategies in more detail.

Optimize for Vertical Format

To maximize viewer engagement, it’s essential to optimize your videos for LinkedIn’s vertical format. The recommended video dimensions for optimal performance on LinkedIn’s new video feed are 9:16. This ensures that your content fits perfectly within the platform’s interface, providing a seamless viewing experience.

Captions are another crucial element to consider. Studies have shown that captions can significantly increase engagement, often being more engaging than the video itself. Optimizing your video format and including captions enhances accessibility and appeal, increasing the likelihood of capturing and retaining viewer attention.

Start with an Engaging Hook

Capturing your audience’s attention from the very beginning is vital for the success of your LinkedIn videos. Starting with an engaging hook is essential to draw viewers in and keep them watching. Whether it’s a compelling question, a striking statistic, or a bold statement, the first few seconds of your video are crucial.

Examples of compelling opening lines can significantly enhance viewer retention and engagement. Think about what will make your audience stop scrolling and pay attention. Focusing on creating a strong hook increases the chances of your video being watched and shared, ultimately boosting its impact.

Enhance with Text and Captions

Enhancing your videos with text and closed captions is essential for accessibility and engagement. Mobile-friendly captions significantly enhance video accessibility for viewers who may not enable sound, ensuring that your message reaches a broader audience. Text overlays can also aid viewers who watch videos without sound, increasing overall engagement.

Implementing both captions and text overlays effectively can improve viewer retention and interaction with your LinkedIn videos. Enhancing accessibility in LinkedIn videos ensures that all users can engage with the content, regardless of hearing ability.

Making your videos more accessible creates a more inclusive experience for all viewers.

Leveraging Cross-Platform Content

Leveraging cross-platform content is a powerful strategy for maximizing the reach and impact of your video content. Reels, TikToks, and Shorts are great types of videos that can be crossposted to LinkedIn, giving new life to your material and resonating better with your audience. This approach ensures that your content is seen by as many people as possible across different platforms.

There are tools available that can help streamline this process. For example, Buffer users can duplicate sent posts on their calendar for one-click repurposing. Multi-streaming is also expected to be the future of live video, allowing creators to broadcast simultaneously across various platforms, including LinkedIn, and share content on their main feed.

Leveraging these tools helps you efficiently manage your content and extend its reach.

Tools and Apps for Better Video Creation

Creating high-quality video content is easier than ever with the right tools and apps. High-quality production values, including clear audio and professional editing, can significantly improve audience perception of your video content. Several tools stand out for their capabilities: Final Cut Pro is popular among Apple users for its unique magnetic trackless timeline, while Adobe Premiere is widely favored due to its compatibility with multiple operating systems.

Other notable tools include Da Vinci Resolve, which offers extensive editing options, and Power Director, which provides mobile editing capabilities for both Android and iOS users. Filmora is known for its comprehensive features at a lower price point, and Canva is useful for basic video editing and offers a free version.

Using these tools not only enhances the quality of your videos but also supports creative storytelling that captures the audience’s attention.

Case Studies: Success Stories on LinkedIn Video

Real-world examples illustrate the power of LinkedIn video content. Adobe, for instance, utilized LinkedIn video to enhance digital event registrations, surpassing their expectations. Similarly, Lombard Odier leveraged video in Sponsored Content to boost brand favorability by 12%. These success stories demonstrate the effectiveness of video in achieving business goals.

Influencers like Austin Hankwitz have also tapped into new audiences through LinkedIn video. Hankwitz’s video about Starbucks hiring a new CEO received 1.5 million views on LinkedIn compared to about 15,000 views on TikTok. This significant difference highlights LinkedIn’s potential for engaging professional audiences and driving meaningful interactions.

Companies like Unity have implemented effective account-based marketing strategies on LinkedIn, using video content to engage their target audience. These examples underscore the importance of incorporating video into your LinkedIn strategy to achieve greater reach and engagement.

Future Trends in LinkedIn Video

Looking ahead, LinkedIn is testing new features that will shape the future of video on the platform. A vertical video feed, similar to TikTok’s For You Page, is currently being tested with a selected group of users. This move aligns with the broader trend of short-form video dominating social media platforms.

The dominance of video content is expected to continue growing, with video projected to drive 82% of all internet traffic by 2025. Over 50% of marketers already consider video to be the content type that generates the highest ROI. Companies like Johnson & Johnson and Salesforce have successfully leveraged LinkedIn Live to engage their audiences, achieving significant results.

As video continues to evolve, new opportunities for professional development will emerge for professionals and businesses to connect with their audience in innovative ways. Staying ahead of these trends will be key to maximizing the impact of your LinkedIn video content.

Summary

To sum up, LinkedIn’s new video features offer exciting opportunities for professionals and businesses to enhance their presence on the platform. From understanding the rise of video content and the benefits of short-form videos to leveraging cross-platform content and using the right tools for video creation, there are numerous strategies to explore.

As you embark on your LinkedIn video journey, remember the importance of optimizing your content for vertical format, starting with an engaging hook, and enhancing accessibility with text and captions. By implementing these tips and staying ahead of future trends, you can create compelling videos that resonate with your audience and drive meaningful engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of LinkedIn's new video feature?

LinkedIn's new video feature is designed to make it easier for you to find and watch timely, relevant videos. This means you’ll have access to content that matters to you right when you need it!

How has LinkedIn video content helped creators like Austin Hankwitz?

LinkedIn video content has helped creators like Austin Hankwitz connect with a fresh audience that they couldn't reach on platforms like TikTok or Instagram. It's a great way to expand their influence and showcase their expertise.

When did LinkedIn start testing short-form video?

LinkedIn started testing short-form video in March. It's a great way to engage your audience with quick, impactful content!

What percentage increase in video uploads did LinkedIn experience year-over-year?

LinkedIn saw a fantastic 34% increase in video uploads year-over-year. That’s a significant leap in engagement!

How much time spent on social media is now attributed to video?

Video now accounts for 60% of the time we spend on social media. So, if you're scrolling through your feeds, chances are you're watching a lot of video!