How to Add Media to LinkedIn

Adding media to LinkedIn transforms your profile from a static resume into a dynamic portfolio, making your content more engaging and memorable. Whether you're sharing an update, publishing an article, or optimizing your personal profile, using images, videos, and documents is the best way to capture attention in a crowded feed. This guide will walk you through exactly how, where, and why you should add media to build your brand and connect with your audience on LinkedIn.

Where Can You Add Media on LinkedIn? (And How to Do It)

LinkedIn offers several places to showcase your work, accomplishments, and insights using different types of media. Understanding where to post is just as important as what you post. Let's break down each opportunity.

1. In a LinkedIn Post (The Feed)

The most common way to share media is directly in a post. When you click "Start a post" from your LinkedIn homepage, you'll see several media options. This is your primary tool for day-to-day engagement and brand building.

How to Add Photos

Visual content is a feed-stopper. A single strong image can communicate more than paragraphs of text, and a carousel of images can tell a compelling story.

• Click "Start a post" at the top of your feed.
• Select the "Add media" icon (which looks like a small picture).
• Choose one or more photos from your computer or phone. You can select multiple images to create a carousel-style post that users can swipe through.
• Once uploaded, you can rearrange the order of the images, tag relevant people or companies, and add alt-text for accessibility (a recommended practice).
• Write your post copy in the text box above the images and click "Post."

Pro Tip: Turn presentation slides, customer testimonials, or key stats from a report into a multi-image carousel post. It's a highly effective way to share dense information in a digestible format.

How to Add a Video

Native video (video uploaded directly to LinkedIn) generally performs much better than sharing a link from YouTube. It auto-plays in the feed, grabbing attention immediately.

• Click "Start a post" and select the "Add media" icon.
• Choose the video file you want to upload. LinkedIn supports common formats like MP4 and MOV.
• While the video processes, you can select a thumbnail and, most importantly, upload a caption file (SRT format). Adding captions is essential, as most users watch videos on social media with the sound off.
• Write your descriptive text, add relevant hashtags, and click "Post."

Pro Tip: Keep videos short and punchy. The ideal length for a LinkedIn feed video is between 30 and 90 seconds. The first 3-5 seconds are the most important for hooking a viewer.

How to Add a Document (PDF, PowerPoint, Word)

Sharing a document creates an interactive carousel format, allowing users to click through the pages of your PDF, slide deck, or Word doc directly in their feed. This feature is perfect for sharing reports, case studies, webinar slides, or even your resume.

• Start a post, but instead of the media icon, click the three dots (...) and select "Add a document."
• Choose a file (PDF, PPT, PPTX, DOC, DOCX) from your computer.
• Once uploaded, give your document a descriptive title. This title will be displayed prominently above the carousel in your post.
• Write your accompanying post text to provide context for the document. Explain what it is and why your audience should read it.
• Click "Post." Users can view the document and even download it if they wish.

2. On Your Personal LinkedIn Profile

Your profile is your professional landing page. Adding media here gives visitors proof of your skills and accomplishments, turning your profile from a list of jobs into a compelling career story.

In the "Featured" Section

The "Featured" section sits near the top of your profile and is the perfect place to highlight your best work. Think of it as your professional highlight reel.

• Go to your LinkedIn profile and click the "Add profile section" button below your name and headline.
• Select "Recommended," then choose "Add featured."
• You'll see options to feature posts you've already created, articles you've published on LinkedIn, links to external websites (like your portfolio or company site), or media you upload directly (images, documents, presentations).
• Add your selections and rearrange them by dragging and dropping them into your preferred order.

Example: A freelance writer might feature a link to their portfolio, their most popular LinkedIn article, and a PDF case study of a successful client project.

Under Your "Experience" Section

You can add specific media to each job role listed in your Experience section. This provides concrete evidence of your contributions in that particular role.

• Navigate to your profile and scroll down to the "Experience" section.
• Click the pencil icon to edit the specific job role where you want to add media.
• In the edit pop-up window, scroll to the bottom to the "Media" section.
• Click "Add media" to upload a file directly or link to work online.
• Give the media a title and a short description. Explain what the project was and what your role was in its creation.
• Click "Save." The media will now appear right below the description for that job.

Example: A marketing manager could add the final video of a campaign they led, the annual report presentation they designed, or an article they were quoted in.

3. Within a LinkedIn Article

LinkedIn Articles are long-form posts that function like blog posts. They live on your profile permanently and are a great way to showcase your expertise. Breaking up the text with media makes them much more readable and visually appealing.

• From the LinkedIn homepage, click "Write article" below the "Start a post" box.
• This opens the publishing tool. You'll need a headline and a cover image. Choose a high-quality, relevant image that visually summarizes your article's topic.
• As you write your article in the body, you'll see a small "+" icon appear on the left side of a new line.
• Click this icon to add different types of media to your article, including images, video (via a URL), slides (via a URL from platforms like SlideShare), or code snippets.
• Position different media throughout your text to illustrate your points, break up long sections, and keep your readers engaged.

Best Practices for Using Media on LinkedIn

Knowing how to add media is only half the battle. To get the best results, you need a strategy behind your visuals. Here are some best practices from social media pros.

Prioritize Quality Over Quantity

Your LinkedIn content is a reflection of your professional brand. Use high-resolution images and clear, well-lit videos. Grainy photos or shaky, poorly lit videos can make your brand appear unprofessional. You don't need a Hollywood budget, but a modern smartphone and good lighting can make a world of difference.

Always Add Context

Never post an image or video with no text. Your copy should provide context and tell the audience why the media is important. Ask a question, share a key learning, or tell a brief story related to the visual. The media should support your message, and your message should unpack the media.

Optimize for Mobile

The vast majority of LinkedIn users browse on their mobile devices. Before you post, consider how your media will look on a smaller screen. Vertical video (9:16 aspect ratio) often performs best because it fills the entire mobile screen. For images and documents, check that text is large enough to be easily read without zooming.

Use a Mix of Media Types

Don't just post the same type of media over and over. A healthy content mix keeps your feed interesting. Try a video one day, a personal photo the next, and a document carousel later in the week. Variety helps you connect with different preferences among your audience and keeps your content strategy fresh.

Show the Human Side

While LinkedIn is a professional network, people connect with people. Don't be afraid to share behind-the-scenes photos of your team, a celebratory shot after a project launch, or a simple selfie with a thoughtful caption. These authentic moments often generate the highest engagement because they build a genuine connection.

Final Thoughts

Effectively using media on LinkedIn is one of the most powerful ways to build your professional brand and stand out amidst the noise. By incorporating high-quality images, native videos, and insightful documents into your posts, profile, and articles, you create a richer, more engaging experience for your audience, proving your expertise rather than just talking about it.

Managing a consistent content calendar filled with varied media can feel like a lot to juggle. At Postbase, we designed our visual calendar to give you a clear, bird's-eye view of your entire content strategy across all your platforms, including LinkedIn. I often use it to spot gaps in my schedule and ensure I have a good mix of videos, images, and documents planned for the weeks ahead, all in one place.