How to Send a Video Message on LinkedIn

Sending a video message on LinkedIn is one of the most powerful tools you have for cutting through inbox noise and making a genuine human connection. Instead of sending another wall of text that gets lost in the shuffle, a video puts you front and center, creating an immediate, personal touchpoint. This guide walks you through the exact steps to send a video message, best practices for making it effective, and creative ideas you can use today.

Why You Should Be Sending Video Messages on LinkedIn

In a world of automated outreach and templated responses, personalization is what separates you from the competition. While text is efficient, it’s also impersonal. Video allows your personality, enthusiasm, and authenticity to shine through in a way that text simply can't match. It bridges the digital divide and helps you build rapport faster than any other method.

Here’s why it works so well:

• It Grabs Attention: A video message is unexpected and stands out in a crowded inbox filled with text. This novelty factor significantly increases the chances your message will be opened and watched.
• It Builds Trust and Rapport: Seeing your face and hearing your voice creates an instant sense of familiarity and trust. It shows you’re a real person who took the time to record a message specifically for them, not just another automated bot.
• It Conveys Nuance and Emotion: Tone, body language, and facial expressions are lost in text. A friendly smile, a confident tone, or genuine excitement about a potential collaboration is communicated instantly on video, adding powerful context to your message.
• It Drives Higher Response Rates: People are more likely to respond to a personalized video than a generic text message. It makes the recipient feel seen and valued, creating a strong incentive to continue the conversation. Use it for sales prospecting, networking follow-ups, recruiting outreach, or just thanking a connection - it’s effective across the board.

How to Send a Video Message on LinkedIn: A Step-by-Step Guide

Sending a video message on LinkedIn is straightforward, but there’s one important thing to know upfront: This feature is only available on the LinkedIn mobile app. You cannot send a video message from the desktop version of LinkedIn, so be sure you have the app installed on your iOS or Android device.

Here’s how to do it in just a few taps.

Step 1: Open the LinkedIn App and Go to Your Messages

First, open the LinkedIn application on your smartphone. Once it’s loaded, tap the Messaging icon in the bottom right corner of your screen. This will take you to your inbox, where all your LinkedIn conversations are stored.

Step 2: Start a New Message or Open an Existing Conversation

You can either send a video message to an existing connection or start a new conversation. To continue a chat you already have going, simply tap on that conversation from your inbox list. To start a fresh one, tap the blue compose icon (which looks like a message bubble with a plus sign) and search for the person you want to contact.

Step 3: Access the Video Recording Option

Inside the message composer, look for the toolbar just above where you'd type your text. You'll see several icons. Tap the plus symbol (+) on the left side of the text field. This will open a menu with several attachment options.

From that menu, tap on the Video option. Your phone's camera will immediately activate, ready for you to record.

Step 4: Record a New Video or Upload an Existing One

Once the video interface is open, you have two choices:

• Record a message on the spot: This is perfect for quick, spontaneous, and highly personal messages. To record, just press and hold the record button at the bottom of the screen. Look directly into the camera, smile, and deliver your message. Let go of the button when you're done.
• Upload a pre-recorded video: If you want a more polished video, you can record it beforehand using your phone's native camera app and then upload it. To do this, instead of pressing the record button, look for the gallery icon (usually a small square representing your photos) in the bottom corner of the screen. Tap it to browse your phone's photo library and select the video you want to send.

Uploading a pre-recorded video is especially useful if you want to add captions, light edits, or ensure your message is perfectly crafted before sending.

Step 5: Review and Send Your Video

After recording or selecting your video, LinkedIn gives you a chance to preview it. Take a moment to watch it back to make sure your audio is clear, the lighting is decent, and you’re happy with the message.

If you're satisfied, tap the blue arrow or a "Send" button to send the video into your conversation. It will appear directly in the chat, where your connection can play it.

Pro Tip: It’s always a good idea to add a short line of text with your video. Something simple like, "Hi Sarah, I recorded a quick video to follow up on your recent post," gives context and encourages them to click play.

Best Practices for an Unforgettable LinkedIn Video Message

Knowing how to send a video is just the first step. Creating a video that actually gets a response requires a bit of thought and strategy. Follow these best practices to make sure your message lands with impact.

1. Keep It Short and to the Point

No one wants to watch a five-minute-long pitch in their DMs. Your video message should feel like a quick, conversational "drop-in," not a formal presentation. Aim for 30 to 60 seconds. This is long enough to deliver a meaningful, personalized message but short enough to respect the other person’s time and hold their attention.

2. Personalize Everything

The entire point of a video message is to break through the impersonal noise, so don't record a generic video you can send to dozens of people. The key to success is true personalization.

• Start with their name. "Hi John," works wonders.
• Reference something specific. Mention a recent article they wrote, a company achievement they posted about, a webinar they hosted, or a shared connection or interest you discovered on their profile. This proves you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in them, not just what they can do for you.

Example: "Hey Maria! I just finished reading your article on AI in marketing and found your point about predictive analytics fascinating. It really got me thinking, and I wanted to put a face to the name."

3. Frame a Clear Purpose and Call to Action (CTA)

Don't leave the viewer wondering why you messaged them. Your video should have one clear purpose. Are you following up after an event? Asking for a quick chat? Complimenting their work? State your intention clearly and end with a simple, low-friction call to action.

For example, instead of "Let me know if you want to connect," try a more specific CTA like, "Would you be open to a 15-minute chat next week to discuss this further?" or "What's the best way to send you that link I mentioned?"

4. Mind Your Environment (Lighting, Background, Audio)

You don't need a professional Hollywood studio, but you should look professional. Your phone’s camera is more than sufficient, but pay attention to these three things:

• Lighting: Face a window or a source of soft light. Avoid having a bright window behind you, as it will turn you into a silhouette. Good lighting makes a huge difference in perceived quality.
• Background: Choose a clean, uncluttered background. A bookshelf, a clean office space, or even a simple wall works well. Avoid distracting or messy backgrounds that might detract from your message.
• Audio: Record in a quiet place to avoid background noise from pets, traffic, or coworkers. Your phone’s built-in microphone is usually fine for this, but a pair of headphones with a built-in mic can also help isolate your voice and reduce echo, especially in a room.

5. Be Authentic and Energetic

Let your personality show! Smile, maintain eye contact with the camera, and speak in a clear, confident tone. Don't read from a script - it's okay to have a few bullet points in mind, but delivering your message naturally will feel much more genuine. Your energy is contagious, so bring enthusiasm to your recording. This authenticity is what helps forge a real connection.

Creative Ways to Use LinkedIn Video Messages

Ready to get started? Here are some practical scenarios where a video message can dramatically improve your results:

1. Sales Prospecting and Outreach

Break through the noise of templated sales emails with a quick introductory video. Share a valuable insight or a specific idea tailored to the prospect’s business.

Example Script: "Hi David, my name is Chloe. I saw your company recently launched a new product line - congratulations! I was looking at how you're marketing it, and I recorded this short video with one specific idea for how you could leverage short-form video to reach new customers. No strings attached, just a thought. Let me know if you're interested, and I can send it over."

2. Nurturing Connections and Follow-ups

Instead of the generic "nice to meet you" message after connecting, send a video. It will make you instantly memorable.

Example Script: "Hey Alex, it was awesome connecting at the Apex Summit yesterday. I really enjoyed our conversation about brand building. Just wanted to put a face to the name and say I'm looking forward to staying in touch and following your work!"

3. Recruiting Top Talent

Stand out to passive talent by sending a personalized video that explains the position and why they specifically stood out as a great fit.

Example Script: "Hey Samantha, my name is Jason, and I'm a recruiter at Acme Corp. Your experience leading product design projects at Innovate Inc. really stood out and seemed like a perfect match for a Senior Product Designer role we're hiring for. I recorded this clip to share a bit about what makes our team special. Would you be interested in seeing the role description to learn more?"

4. Expressing Thanks

Whether thanking a client, a mentor, or someone who helped you, a genuine thank-you video goes much further than a simple text message in forging a real connection.

Example Script: "Hi Sarah! I just wanted to send a quick message to personally say thank you for your business. It was great to partner with you on that project. Thanks again! I look forward to working together again."

Final Thoughts

Mastering the LinkedIn video message gives you a communication advantage that few professionals leverage. Taking the time to record short, personalized videos is a powerful way to build stronger relationships, cut through the noise, and make a lasting professional impression.

Personalized video outreach works well as part of an overall social media strategy. At Postbase, we're focused on building a tool that streamlines content creation and management across all platforms. Our goal is to help you create more impactful content in less time, freeing you up to focus on what's most important.