LinkedIn Profile Video *BEGINNERS GUIDE*
Gillian Whitney
5x Author ?? Business Book Coach & Live Stream Strategist ◆ Making Books & Video Easy Peasy ◆ Host of the Easy Peasy Books Podcast
?? November 9, 2023 - LinkedIn sent an email announcement to permanently remove this feature.
Have you heard about LinkedIn Profile Videos? (Formally known as Cover Story.)
If so, have you already uploaded your Profile Video? Or, perhaps you still wondering how it all works?
Even before I had access to this new feature, which has now been rolled out to everyone, I was so excited.
I love LinkedIn and I love video... so this new feature was a marriage made in heaven. ??
Having a LinkedIn Profile Video is a terrific way for anyone checking out your profile to learn a little bit about you. And if they like what you have to say... they will hopefully Follow or Connect with you.
While I've already posted a bunch of content on LinkedIn about this exciting new feature, I thought it'd be a good idea to group all those posts into one tidy little LinkedIn article.
That way folks can visit one link and access the information they need. Feel free to scroll through and check out what you need to know.
P.S. And if you are stuck for ideas... I've included the links to 21 Profile Videos examples below. That may help get you going. ??
?? Scroll down to the end to see all the examples. ??
LINKEDIN PROFILE VIDEO - QUICK OVERVIEW
This feature has now been rolled out to everyone on the platform. If you want to know who's already uploaded a video LinkedIn Profile Video, just know they have an purple-blue circle around their profile photo.
If you only see a white circle, they didn't upload a profile video yet.
When someone lands on your profile, your LinkedIn Profile Video will be displayed as a three second preview (with no sound), before reverting back to your profile photo.
To watch your video, visitors need to click (desktop) or tap (phone) on the video preview.
While your video must be uploaded using the LinkedIn app on your mobile device, your video can viewed on either desktop or mobile.
?? Here's some things to keep in mind:
?? FIRST THINGS FIRST - WHAT TO TALK ABOUT?
My suggestion is to keep your video short, sweet, and snappy. Remember, you've got less than 30 seconds to make a good first impression.
Aim to include the following in your video:
?? LINKEDIN PROFILE VIDEO - ORIENTATION MATTERS
I've had a few people ask me about best practices for creating their LinkedIn Profile Video. So it seemed like a quick little slider might benefit others.
IMPORTANT: If you use the LinkedIn app on your phone to make your video... your video will AUTOMATICALLY be vertical (aka portrait mode). ??
?? It's only if you upload a video from your phone's camera roll that you've got to review the options of what video orientation is best.??
LINKEDIN PROFILE VIDEO - ADDING CAPTIONS
?? Caption & Trim Your LinkedIn Profile Video (iOs and Android)
Here's the deal. You've already done a gazillion takes of your LinkedIn Profile Video. You've finally got one that you like. And, since it's only 30 seconds, you don't need to do any editing.
But now you want to add captions.
So... what's an easy peasy way to quickly caption your LinkedIn profile video?
If you want an Easy Peasy tool to create a video for your LinkedIn Profile - this is it.
Available for both iPhone and Android users, this all-in-one tool allows you to easily create auto-generated captions AND trim your videos.
If you want to get even fancier, CapCut allows also allows you to add on-screen text, stickers, effects, overlays, filters, and more to videos created on your mobile device.
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Best of all this program is 100% free. Wowza, it doesn't get better than this folks.
?? Caption Your LinkedIn Profile Video (iPhone AND Android)
?? Caption Your LinkedIn Profile Video (iPhone)
?? Caption Your LinkedIn Profile Video (Android)
WHAT IF YOU DON'T LIKE BEING ON CAMERA?
?? Create a Cover Story WITHOUT Being On Camera
What? Is there really a way to create a LinkedIn Profile Video WITHOUT making a talking head video of yourself? Yes there is.
Option #1: Make a Non-Talking Head Video [with Canva]
You can simply create a video that is composed of photos, some text, and even a little music in the background. Which means that YOU don't have to be seen or heard.
Best of all, it's easy peasy to do on your phone using the free Canva app. In this video tutorial... I show you how it's done.
As a video marketing coach, I suggest that everyone create a video with captions to use for their Profile Video.
BUT... I know that for some folks that's a tall order.
That is why I created this video tutorial. This allows anyone to take that first step into the world of LinkedIn video, without having to conquer any anxiety about being on camera. ??
Best of all, your LinkedIn Profile Video can be changed at any time. So later, when you are ready to make a talking head video, you can simply swap it out.
Watch the full YouTube video tutorial below. It's about 10 minutes long:
Option #2: Make an Audiogram [with Headliner]
What's that?
An audiogram is when you take an audio file (ex. mp3, m4a, wav) and add a graphic. Put them together and you've got an engaging video.
In the video below, I show you how you can use the free version of Headliner to create an audiogram.
?? LINKEDIN PROFILE VIDEO - EXAMPLES
Here are the Profile Videos of a few of my LinkedIn connections:
?? These Profile Videos are all vertical AND have captions:
BONUS:
?? These Profile Videos are some creative examples that were all made WITHOUT being a talking head on camera
Of special note is Clare Caroll, who's Profile Video is a great example of an Advanced Profile Video. Her video includes a montage of video clips, music, and a talking head portion.
If you want tips on how to level up your LinkedIn Profile Video, please check out my follow-up article:
?? MEET THE AUTHOR:
Gillian Whitney?is a Video Marketing Coach specializing in LinkedIn video. She believes every business professional needs to be using video to market themselves. Video boosts your online visibility, increases sales, and promotes your business like no other marketing tool.
As a video marketing coach, Gillian helps business professionals make videos in a way that is comfortable for them. She loves sharing easy peasy solutions to help folks get started with video.
Director of studies at Green English, mentor teacher and English exam coach ?? one-on-one consultations for English teachers who want to transition into adult exam prep ??
2 年I'm so grateful to you. I've just fixed the problem with my video preview. The thing is a month ago, I turned on the Creator mode and jumped at the opportunity to upload a video. But it got to me that every time I opened my profile, the video didn't show me in a favourable light - only part of my face was seen and not in the centre. I tried to adjust it and keep it in the middle, but it didn't work. After reading your tips, I changed the ratio to 9:16 and hey presto!
Sales Trainer & Business Growth Strategist | Win With Becky Sales Training | 80,000 hours of sales activities | Linkedin and Social Selling Trainer!
2 年Wow! So much great value in this post! Thank you for all the how to's and suggestions!! ????
Motivational Speaker ?? How To Embrace Change?? "ORIGINAL, PASSIONATE, PRACTICAL & FUN"
2 年Gillian You made it EASY PEASY for me to get on this list. Appreciated ?
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2 年Thank you so much!!
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2 年This is a very thorough guide! Thank you so much Gillian Whitney for including me in your list of LinkedIn Cover Story examples ?? I've updated my look and designed new glasses with Swarovski crystals. ??