How to Make a Video for LinkedIn

Thinking about making a video for LinkedIn? It's one of the best ways to connect with your professional network, build your brand, and share your message with a wider audience. This guide walks you through the entire process, from planning your first video and filming with the gear you likely already own to editing and posting for maximum engagement. You don't need a huge budget or a production studio, you just need a clear plan of action.

Why Video on LinkedIn is a Game-Changer

Before getting into the how-to, let's briefly touch on the 'why.' In a feed filled with text-based posts and shared articles, video stands out. It's dynamic, engaging, and personal. LinkedIn's own data shows that members are 20 times more likely to share a video on the platform than any other type of post. Video allows you to humanize your brand - whether it's your personal brand or your company's - by letting people see and hear you directly.

It's your chance to:

• Build Trust and Authority: Sharing valuable insights and expertise establishes you as a credible voice in your industry.
• Showcase Your Personality: People do business with people they know, like, and trust. Video puts a face and a voice to your name or your company's logo.
• Stop the Scroll: Movement is an attention-grabber. A well-made video can stop users from scrolling past your content and get them to pay attention to your message.

Planning Your LinkedIn Video: The Foundation for Success

The most successful videos don't happen by accident, they start with a solid plan. Spending just 15 minutes thinking through a few key things beforehand can make the difference between a video that gets ignored and one that sparks meaningful conversation.

Define Your Goal

First things first: what are you trying to accomplish? Every piece of content should have a purpose. Your goal will shape your message, your tone, and your call-to-action. Are you aiming to:

• Educate your audience? (e.g., a "how-to" tutorial or a quick industry tip)
• Build brand awareness? (e.g., a "behind-the-scenes" video or a company culture highlight)
• Generate leads? (e.g., a video explaining a service and directing viewers to a landing page)
• Share an opinion? (e.g., your take on a recent industry trend)

Choose one primary goal per video to keep your message focused and clear.

Know Your Audience

Who are you talking to? Imagine your ideal viewer - a potential client, a future employee, a peer in your industry. What are their pain points? What topics interest them professionally? Your content should be created for them. If you're targeting marketing managers, a video on "Three Ways to Improve Ad Copy" is far more effective than a generic company update. Speaking directly to a specific audience's needs makes your content feel instantly more relevant and valuable.

Choose Your Video Format

Variety helps keep your audience engaged over time. There are many different styles of video that work well on LinkedIn. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• The Talking Head Video: This is the simplest format. It's just you, speaking directly to the camera about a topic you know well. It’s perfect for sharing tips, industry insights, or personal stories.
• The Q&A or Interview: Host an interview with another expert in your field or answer frequently asked questions from your audience. This format is great for bringing in new perspectives and creating collaborative content.
• The Behind-the-Scenes Tour: Show people what a day at your company looks like, how your product is made, or what your team is working on. It’s an authentic way to build transparency and brand loyalty.
• The Screen Recording Tutorial: If you're explaining a piece of software, walking through a process, or demonstrating an online tool, a screen recording with a voiceover is incredibly effective.
• Event Highlights: Attending or speaking at an industry conference? Put together a short montage of key moments to share the experience with your network.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Filming and Editing

This is where the magic happens. Don't be intimidated by the technical side of things, simple and authentic often beats overly produced.

Step 1: Script Your Message (Keep It Simple)

You don't need a word-for-word screenplay to film a great video. In fact, reading from a rigid script can often make you sound stiff and unnatural. A better approach is to outline your key points. Your structure should have a clear:

1. Hook (First 3-5 seconds): Start with a question, a bold statement, or a surprising statistic to grab attention immediately. Example: "Stop making these three common mistakes on your resume."
2. Middle (The Value): Deliver on the promise of your hook. Share your main tips, story, or message in a concise way. Use 2-3 main bullet points to stay on track.
3. Conclusion (The CTA): End with a clear call-to-action. What do you want the viewer to do next? Encourage them to "leave a comment below with your thoughts," "visit the link in the post," or "follow for more tips."

Jotting this framework down on a sticky note and placing it near your camera can help you stay focused while filming.

Step 2: Your Filming Kit (Hint: You Already Have It)

High-quality video production is more accessible than ever. You don't need thousands of dollars in gear to get started. Focus on these three essentials:

• A Good Camera: Your smartphone is more than capable. The cameras on modern phones shoot in high definition and are perfect for creating professional-looking LinkedIn videos. Just make sure to wipe the lens clean before you hit record!
• Clear Audio: This is non-negotiable. Viewers will forgive slightly grainy video, but they will not tolerate bad audio. Your phone's built-in microphone will work if you're in a quiet room, but a simple lavalier (lapel) mic that plugs into your phone is a small investment that makes a massive difference in quality.
• Good Lighting: You don't need a fancy lighting kit. The best and cheapest light source is a window. Position yourself facing a window so that soft, natural light illuminates your face evenly. If filming at night, placing a simple lamp just behind and slightly to the side of your camera works perfectly well.

Step 3: Lights, Camera, Action! Filming Tips

You're all set up. Now it's time to hit record. Keep these tips in mind:

• Go Vertical: While landscape (horizontal) video is fine, most LinkedIn users are browsing on their phones. Filming vertically (9:16 aspect ratio) fills the entire mobile screen and is more visually commanding.
• Stabilize Your Shot: No one likes shaky video. Place your phone on a small tripod, or even prop it up on a stack of books, to keep your shot steady.
• Look at the Lens: It can be tempting to look at yourself on the screen, but to create a direct connection with your viewer, you need to look directly into the camera lens. It feels like you're making direct eye contact with them.
• Speak with Energy: The camera has a tendency to flatten your energy. Dial it up a notch more than you think you need to. Speak clearly, smile, and let your personality shine through.

Step 4: Editing for a Scroller's World

Your edit should be clean, fast-paced, and optimized for silent viewing. Around 85% of social media videos are watched with the sound off. Simple editing programs like CapCut (on mobile), iMovie (on Mac), or Descript (on desktop) are very user-friendly.

Key Editing Tasks:

• Trim the Beginning and End: Cut out the awkward moments where you're reaching to press record or stop. Get straight to the good stuff.
• Add Captions: This is the most important part of the edit. Because so many people watch videos on mute while they're at work or in a public space, burnt-in captions or subtitles ensure your message still lands. Most modern editing apps can auto-generate these for you.
• Keep It Short: While LinkedIn allows videos up to 10 minutes long, the sweet spot for engagement is typically under 90 seconds. Be ruthless in your edit - cut any fluff or points that don't directly support your main goal.

How to Optimize and Post Your Video on LinkedIn

You've filmed and edited your masterpiece. The final step is to share it with the world in a way that helps it get seen.

Master LinkedIn's Video Specs

Always upload your video directly to LinkedIn (this is called 'native video') rather than sharing a link from YouTube or another platform. The LinkedIn algorithm prioritizes native content. Here are the key technical specs:

• Video Format: MP4 is the most common format.
• File Size: Between 75KB and 5GB.
• Length: 3 seconds to 10 minutes for a standard feed post.
• Resolution: From 256x144 up to 4096x2304.

Writing an Engaging Caption

Your video doesn't exist in a vacuum. The text in your post is just as important for giving context and sparking discussion.

• Start with a Strong Hook: The first two lines of your caption are what people see before clicking "see more." Make them count. Ask a question or summarize the video's main value.
• Provide Context: Briefly explain what the video is about and why it's worth watching.
• Use Relevant Hashtags: Include 3-5 relevant hashtags to improve discoverability. Choose a mix of broad tags (#marketing, #leadership) and more niche ones (#contentstrategy, #b2bmarketing).
• Tag Relevant People/Companies: If you mentioned a person or company in your video, tag them in your post using the "@" symbol. This will notify them and increase the chances they'll share it.

The Thumbnail Matters

The thumbnail is the still image people see before your video plays. LinkedIn lets you choose a frame from your video or upload a custom image. A good thumbnail is compelling and hints at the video's content. Choose a clear, well-lit shot of your face or upload a simple graphic with text that states the video's title.

Final Thoughts

Creating effective video content for LinkedIn isn't about being perfect, it's about being helpful, authentic, and consistent. By planning your message, focusing on clear audio and lighting, and optimizing your post for engagement, you can make videos that build your personal brand and create real professional connections.

Planning and scheduling all of this content, especially as you begin incorporating more forms of video across a number of platforms, can get a bit hectic. We built Postbase to fix that, giving you an uncluttered visual calendar where you can plan out your video strategy. Since it was designed from the ground up to support modern formats, we handle all kinds natively - including LinkedIn video, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.