How To Post a Video on LinkedIn

Introduction: Why LinkedIn Video Matters More Than Ever

When most people think of LinkedIn, they think of corporate updates, some professional networking, job postings, résumé-style profiles, and a lot of InMail from sales people. Over time, LinkedIn has evolved into one of the most powerful professional networking platforms in the world, with more than one billion members. It’s no longer just a place to list your experience. It’s a place to build influence, share ideas, and create business opportunities.

And video is one of the most powerful tools you can use to do that.

Here’s why:

• LinkedIn reports that videos earn 5x more engagement than text posts.
• Live video is even stronger, generating 24x more interactions.
• Video is prioritized in the feed, which means it has a better chance of being seen than a link, text update, or image.

In spite of this, many professionals aren’t using video effectively or at all. Many haven’t tried posting at all because they assume it’s “too complicated.” Others post without optimizing, leading to poor results and wasted effort.

The good news? If you’re willing to learn the basics, you’ll have a major advantage. This guide will walk you through, step by step, how to post a video on LinkedIn. From the technical requirements like file size, aspect ratio, and captions to the creative strategies that help your content shine.

Whether you’re a recruiter sharing career tips, a consultant building thought leadership, or a small business owner looking to showcase your services, this guide is written for you, even if you’ve never posted a video before.

Step 1: Understand LinkedIn’s Video Landscape

Before you dive into uploading, you need to understand the different ways LinkedIn supports video. Choosing the right format will help you set realistic goals.

1. Native video uploads

• You upload directly from your computer or phone.
• Plays automatically (“autoplays”) in the feed, grabbing attention without users having to click.
• Favored by LinkedIn’s algorithm, which means more people will see it.

Example: A career coach posts a 90-second clip sharing “Three mistakes to avoid in your next interview.”

2. LinkedIn Live

• Real-time streaming, but requires third-party software (like Riverside.fm or StreamYard).
• Best for events, Q&A sessions, or product launches where you want live interaction.
• Comments happen in real time, letting you engage on the spot.

Example: A software company hosts a 20-minute LinkedIn Live demo of its new product and takes questions from viewers.

3. Video ads

• Paid videos you target to specific industries, job titles, or companies.
• Can be up to 30 minutes long.
• Designed for lead generation, recruiting, or building brand awareness.

4. Embedded videos

• You paste a YouTube or Vimeo link into a post.
• The video plays, but less smoothly, and LinkedIn doesn’t push it as much because it drives people off-platform.

5. Short-form vertical feed (LinkedIn’s TikTok-style feed)

• Full-screen vertical (9:16) videos, usually under 60 seconds.
• Still new, but designed to mimic Reels, Shorts, and TikTok.
• Works best for quick tips, personal stories, or snappy insights.

Why this matters: Start simple. Your first step should be native uploads from your phone or computer. They’re the easiest to post, they look good in the feed, and they get the most visibility.

Step 2: Get Your LinkedIn Video Specs Right

One of the biggest beginner mistakes is uploading a video that doesn’t look right. Maybe it’s blurry. Maybe it has black bars on the side. Maybe the sound is off. That usually means the video didn’t meet LinkedIn’s technical requirements.

Here’s what you need to know:

File format: MP4 (best) or MOV. Stick with MP4 whenever possible.

File size: Between 75 KB and 5 GB. If your file is too big, use a free tool like HandBrake to compress it.

Video length:

• Minimum: 3 seconds.
• Maximum: 10 minutes for personal posts (desktop).
• Ads: Up to 15 minutes.

Resolution: From 256 x 144 to 4096 x 2304. Best: 1080p (1920 x 1080) for clarity without giant file sizes.

Aspect ratios:

• 16:9 (landscape): traditional widescreen. Good for webinars or presentations.
• 1:1 (square): balanced for desktop and mobile. A safe choice.
• 9:16 (vertical): best for mobile-first audiences and the immersive short-form feed.

Frame rate: Between 10 and 60 fps (frames per second). Beginners should stick with 30 fps. If you’re recording action shots or demos, 60 fps will look smoother.

Bit rate: Between 192 kbps and 30 Mbps.

Why this matters: If your video doesn’t meet these specs, LinkedIn may crop it, compress it, or reject it. Following them ensures your video looks crisp and professional.

Beginner example: If you film a quick video on your iPhone in vertical mode (1080 x 1920, 30 fps), you’re already within the safe zone. No need to overthink it.

Step 3: Plan Your Video Content for Professional Networking

Technical setup is only half the equation. The real magic is in what you say and how you say it. Remember: LinkedIn isn’t TikTok. People aren’t here for memes or dance trends; they’re here for professional growth.

Content buckets to focus on:

Educational

• Teach your audience something useful.
• Example: “Three simple questions to ask in your next job interview.”
• Why it works: You instantly position yourself as a resource.

Inspirational

• Share a story, milestone, or lesson learned.
• Example: “When I lost my first client, here’s what I learned about resilience.”
• Why it works: Builds trust and relatability.

Promotional

• Showcase your product, service, or event.
• Example: A 2-minute video showing behind the scenes of your team prepping for a trade show.
• Why it works: Promotes your brand without being pushy.

Pro tip: Stuck on what to post? Try recording a 60-second video answering the most common question you get at work. You’ll never run out of material.

Step 4: How To Post a Video on LinkedIn (Desktop + Mobile)

Here’s the part you’ve been waiting for, the actual how-to.

On Desktop

1. Log into LinkedIn.
2. Go to your Home feed.
3. At the top, click in the box that says “Start a post.”
4. In the menu, click the video icon (a small camera symbol).
5. A file upload window will open. Select your video.
6. Write a caption. Start with a hook, like:

• “Most résumés get ignored for this one reason…”
• “Stop making this mistake in client meetings.”

1. Add hashtags (3–5 is best).
2. Click the CC button to add auto-captions or upload an SRT file.
3. Choose who sees it (Public, Connections only, or Groups).
4. Hit Post.

On Mobile

1. Open the LinkedIn app.
2. Tap the + (Post) button at the bottom.
3. Choose Take a Video (record instantly) or Upload from Gallery.
4. Use LinkedIn’s editor to trim or add text overlays.
5. Write your caption. Keep it conversational.
6. Add hashtags.
7. Tap Post.

Beginner tip: Always preview your video. On mobile, especially, make sure text or subtitles aren’t cut off.

Step 5: Optimize Your Video for Visibility

Posting is just step one. To make sure people actually see your content, you need to optimize.

• Hook in the first 3 seconds: Attention spans are short. Lead with a bold statement or question.
• Always caption: 80% of LinkedIn users watch with the sound off. Captions make your video accessible to everyone.
• Custom thumbnails: Don’t let LinkedIn pick a random freeze-frame. Upload a branded image or select a clear frame.
• Keep it short: Under 90 seconds works best for broad reach. If you go longer, make sure every second counts.
• Engage immediately: Respond to comments within 24 hours. This signals the algorithm that your post is worth showing to more people.

Example: A recruiter posts a 60-second “Tip of the Day” with captions. She replies to every comment in the first hour, and LinkedIn boosts her post to thousands more users.

Step 6: Advanced Features That Boost Results

Once you’re comfortable, explore features like:

• LinkedIn Live: Stream webinars or Q&A sessions.
• Company Page videos: Share to your organization’s page to expand reach.
• Event promotion: Attach a video to your LinkedIn Event page.
• Analytics: Review performance, views, completion rates, demographics, to see what works.

Step 7: Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Uploading with the wrong aspect ratio (leading to black bars).
• Forgetting captions.
• Posting videos that are too long without a clear hook.
• Skipping a call-to-action.
• Only posting YouTube links (LinkedIn deprioritizes them).

Step 8: Promote Your Videos

Don’t stop at hitting “Post.” Promotion extends your reach:

• Share in LinkedIn Groups.
• Repost on your Company Page.
• Embed in your newsletter or blog.
• Repurpose clips for TikTok, Reels, or YouTube Shorts.
• Consider paid promotion for high-value videos.

Step 9: Measure and Refine

Check your LinkedIn Analytics:

• Views: How many people saw your video.
• Completion rate: How many watched all the way through.
• Engagements: Likes, comments, shares.
• Click-throughs: If you included a link.

Why this matters: These numbers tell you what’s working. Over time, you’ll see patterns like whether your audience prefers short clips, certain topics, or specific posting times.

FAQ

1. What’s the best video length for LinkedIn?

For beginners, keep videos between 30 and 90 seconds. This range works well because it’s long enough to deliver value but short enough to hold attention. If you’re sharing a tutorial or case study, you can go up to 3 minutes. Save anything longer (like webinars) for LinkedIn Live or a YouTube channel.

2. How do I add captions?

When you upload, LinkedIn gives you the option to add auto-captions (English only). Always review them because auto-captions are rarely 100% accurate. If you want control, upload your own SRT file. Captions aren’t just for accessibility; they’re critical because so many people watch videos silently at work.

3. Can I edit a video after posting?

Unfortunately, no. You can change the text in your post, but the video itself can’t be swapped or edited. If there’s a big mistake in the video, your only option is to delete the post and reupload. That’s why previewing before posting is so important.

4. Should I use vertical, square, or horizontal video?

Each has its place:

• Vertical (9:16): Best for short-form, mobile-first audiences.
• Square (1:1): Balanced, works well across devices.
• Landscape (16:9): Good for presentations and slides.

For beginners, square is a safe bet.

5. Do hashtags matter on LinkedIn?

Yes — but only when they’re relevant. Hashtags help LinkedIn categorize your content. Use 3–5 targeted hashtags (e.g., #leadership, #careeradvice, #marketing). Too many looks spammy and can hurt your credibility.

6. Do I need professional equipment?

No. Your smartphone is enough to start. Just make sure you have good lighting (face a window) and clear audio (use earbuds or an external mic if possible). Later, you can invest in a ring light or tripod, but don’t let equipment hold you back.

7. Can I schedule LinkedIn video posts?

Yes. LinkedIn now has a built-in scheduling tool, and third-party apps like Hootsuite or Buffer work too. Scheduling is especially useful if you know your audience is active at specific times, like 8:00 AM, before the workday starts.

8. Should I boost my videos with ads?

If you’re trying to generate leads or brand awareness, absolutely. LinkedIn Ads let you target by job title, industry, company size, and more. It’s more expensive than Facebook or Instagram ads, but the targeting is more precise.

9. Is it better to upload natively or share a YouTube link?

Always upload natively. Native videos autoplay in the feed and get prioritized by LinkedIn’s algorithm. YouTube links may get fewer views because they send people off-platform.

10. What’s the easiest video for a beginner to post?

A short, direct-to-camera video. Keep it under 60 seconds, look into the camera, and share one tip or story. Example: “One mistake I see job seekers make is sending generic résumés. Here’s how to fix that.” Simple, authentic, and effective.

11. How often should I post videos?

Consistency is more important than frequency. Start with once a week. As you get comfortable, increase to 2–3 times per week. Posting daily isn’t necessary for most beginners.

12. Do I need subtitles in multiple languages?

If your audience is international, yes. You can upload SRT files in other languages to make your content more inclusive. Even if you’re targeting one region, subtitles can help non-native speakers better understand your message.

Conclusion: Post With Purpose

Learning how to post a video on LinkedIn isn’t just about pressing “upload.” It’s about:

• Understanding the types of videos LinkedIn supports.
• Meeting the technical requirements so your video looks great.
• Creating content that delivers value in a professional context.
• Optimizing with captions, thumbnails, and hooks.
• Promoting and measuring your work so you improve over time.

When you post with purpose, you don’t just fill space in the feed; you build authority, expand your reach, and spark conversations that create real opportunities.

And if you want your LinkedIn videos to go from “basic uploads” to professional assets that drive measurable business results, Gorilla Creative can help. Work with Gorilla Creative to make your next LinkedIn video strategy unforgettable.