How to Post a Video on LinkedIn for Maximum Impact

Of course, uploading a video to LinkedIn is easy. You start a post, tap the video icon, add some text, and hit publish. But the real magic isn't in just posting a video—it's in understanding why video has become the single most powerful tool on the platform for building your career or brand.

Why Video Is Your Most Powerful LinkedIn Tool

If you want to get real results from your LinkedIn videos, you have to think strategically. Video isn't just another content type anymore; it’s the medium the platform is built to reward.

The LinkedIn algorithm gives native video content a serious boost, pushing it to a much wider audience than a standard text or image post. This isn't an accident. It's a deliberate shift that creates a massive opportunity for anyone willing to press record.

LinkedIn has been doubling down on video for years now, and the numbers don't lie. Total video viewership on the platform jumped by a staggering 36 percent year-over-year in fiscal Q2 2025. It's clear evidence of where the platform is headed. This focus on video helps professionals and companies build the kind of genuine connections that a simple text update just can't match.

The Tangible Benefits of LinkedIn Video

Switching to a video-first mindset on LinkedIn isn't just about chasing trends. It delivers real, tangible benefits that can completely change your professional presence. It’s about turning views and attention into actual results.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Sky-High Engagement: Videos on LinkedIn consistently pull in more likes, comments, and shares. Every interaction signals to the algorithm that your content is valuable, earning you even more reach.

• Humanize Your Brand: Video is the fastest way to build trust. It lets you show your personality and passion, making you far more relatable than a faceless profile picture or company logo.

• Stop the Scroll: Let's be honest, the LinkedIn feed is crowded. A dynamic, well-made video is one of the few things that can instantly grab someone's attention and make them pause their endless scrolling.

The true power of LinkedIn video is its ability to build relationships at scale. It's the closest you can get to having a face-to-face conversation with hundreds, or even thousands, of people in your network at the same time.

While mastering video is a huge step, it's just one piece of a winning content strategy. To make sure every post you create is set up for success, be sure to read our complete guide on LinkedIn post best practices.

Prepping Your Video for Peak Performance

A great LinkedIn video isn't just about what you post; it's about how you prepare. A successful video starts long before you even think about hitting that "upload" button. Getting the file ready and framing your content the right way is what separates a scroll-stopping video from one that gets lost in the feed.

First things first, let's talk fundamentals. A high-quality video makes your brand look high-quality. No, you don't need a Hollywood budget, but you do need to pay attention to the basics: clear audio, good lighting, and a background that doesn't look like a messy closet. If you want to dive deeper into the production side, there are some great resources out there on Mastering Social Media Video Production.

Beyond how it looks and sounds, the structure of your video is everything. You have about three to five seconds to make your case. If you don't grab their attention with a powerful hook right away, they're gone.

Mastering the Technical Details

LinkedIn has its own set of rules for native video uploads. If you follow them, your content will look polished and play smoothly for everyone. If you ignore them, you risk a blurry, awkwardly cropped mess that completely undermines your message.

I've put together a quick reference table to make this part easy. Think of it as your pre-flight checklist before you post.

LinkedIn Native Video Specifications at a Glance

This table is your go-to guide for the essential technical specs. Getting these right is a non-negotiable step for a professional look and feel on the platform.

Keep these numbers handy. They'll save you a ton of headaches down the road.

Optimizing for the Mobile Feed

The reality is, most people are scrolling through LinkedIn on their phones. This is where vertical video absolutely shines. While a standard horizontal video is fine, a 9:16 vertical or a 1:1 square video fills the entire mobile screen, creating a much more immersive and captivating experience. This simple choice can make a huge difference in how long people stick around to watch.

Quick reminder: An estimated 85% of social media videos are watched with the sound off. If you're not adding captions, you're willingly ignoring a massive chunk of your audience. Use LinkedIn's built-in captioning tool—it's easy and makes your video far more effective.

Finally, a killer video needs a killer description. The text you write gives context, provides a clear call-to-action, and is your chance to turn a passive viewer into an active participant. To get that part just right, check out our in-depth guide on how to write engaging LinkedIn posts.

A Practical Walkthrough for Posting Your Video

Okay, your video is edited, polished, and ready for its debut. Now for the fun part: getting it live on LinkedIn.

The process itself is pretty simple whether you’re at your desk or posting on the fly. But don't just rush to hit "publish." A few strategic choices during the upload can make a massive difference in how many people see and engage with your content.

The core steps are nearly identical across devices, which is nice. This quick visual breaks down the basic flow.

As you can see, it’s a consistent experience. You won’t get lost trying to find the right buttons, no matter where you are.

Posting from Your Desktop

Uploading from your computer gives you a bit more real estate and control, which I prefer for finalizing a post. Just click Start a post at the top of your LinkedIn homepage, hit the media icon, and select your video file. Simple.

Once it’s uploaded, you'll see a few critical options. This is your chance to add a custom thumbnail and upload your SRT caption file. A compelling thumbnail is like a movie poster for your video—it’s what convinces someone to stop scrolling and press play. Don't skip it.

Quick tip: Tagging relevant people or company pages is non-negotiable. Just type "@" followed by their name. This sends them a notification and is one of the easiest ways to organically multiply your post's reach when they share it.

After you've crafted some compelling text and added your hashtags, you're good to go.

Posting from the Mobile App

The LinkedIn mobile app is built for speed, making it perfect for sharing content when an idea strikes or you capture something timely.

Tap the Post button in the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen. From there, you can pick a video right from your phone’s gallery.

The mobile interface actually has some handy, intuitive editing tools built right in. You can trim your video’s length, slap on some text overlays, or even add stickers for a bit of personality.

Most importantly, the app lets you generate automated closed captions with a single tap. This is an absolute must-have feature for catching the attention of the huge audience that scrolls with their sound off. Write your post, add your tags, and hit Post.

Whether you use desktop or mobile, successfully posting a video on LinkedIn is about more than just the upload. It’s about leveraging the platform’s built-in features to give your content the best shot at being seen by the right people.

Driving Engagement After You Post

Getting your video uploaded is just the start. The real magic happens in what you do right after you hit "Post." That first hour is your golden window—it's when you signal to the LinkedIn algorithm that you've shared something valuable and start turning your post into a real conversation.

Think of that initial hour like a launch party. Your job is to get people talking immediately. This early flurry of activity tells LinkedIn your content is worth showing to more people, making it 4.1 times more likely to get promoted across the platform.

Keep in mind that short, mobile-friendly videos are king here. Clips under 60 seconds generate 1.7 times more engagement per second than longer content. If you want to really dig into the numbers, this definitive guide to B2B content distribution on LinkedIn is a great resource for maximizing your video's impact.

Kickstart The Conversation

Your post copy is your opening line. Don't just give a boring summary of the video. Ask a direct question that pulls people in. For instance, if your video is about a productivity tip, you could ask, "What's the one productivity hack you absolutely can't live without?" This gives your audience an easy way to jump into the discussion.

Hashtags are your secret weapon for distribution. Stick to 3-5 highly relevant hashtags that mix broader industry terms with more specific, niche topics. This helps the right people find your content long after that initial buzz has died down.

• Broad: #MarketingStrategy, #Leadership

• Niche: #B2BContent, #SaaSSales

The most overlooked engagement tactic is also the simplest: just be present. Carve out some time to reply thoughtfully to every single comment you get. Acknowledge what they've said, answer their questions, and keep the dialogue going. It’s a simple act, but it’s how you build a loyal community.

And remember, engagement is a two-way street. To really get this right, you should check out our deep dive on https://postline.ai/blog/2/how-to-increase-linkedin-engagement for more advanced techniques.

Common Mistakes That Hurt Your Video's Reach

Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do. You can have the most polished, perfectly shot video, but if you fall into a few common traps, it'll never get the traction it deserves on LinkedIn.

The absolute biggest mistake I see people make is sharing a video by posting a link from YouTube or Vimeo. Think about it from LinkedIn's perspective: they want to keep users on their platform, not send them away. The algorithm will almost always suppress posts that push traffic to an external site. The fix is simple: always, always upload your video natively directly to LinkedIn. This single change can make a night-and-day difference in your reach.

Another frequent error is creating content that just... rambles. Your audience is scrolling through their feed during a busy workday. Unedited, long-winded videos without a strong hook in the first few seconds are guaranteed to be ignored. You have to keep it tight, concise, and focused on one clear point.

Side-Stepping Engagement Killers

Beyond those major issues, a few other missteps can quietly sabotage your video’s performance. If you want to make sure your effort translates into actual results, be sure to avoid these pitfalls:

• Forgetting Captions: This one's huge. Most people watch videos on LinkedIn with the sound off, especially if they're in an office or commuting. If you skip the captions, you're making your content completely inaccessible to a massive chunk of your potential audience.

• Using Generic Hashtags: Slapping vague tags like #video or #business on your post won't do you any favors. You need to get specific. Stick to 3-5 highly relevant hashtags that your target viewers are actually searching for and following.

• Ignoring the Thumbnail: The thumbnail is your video's first impression, and you only get one. A blurry, awkward, or auto-generated image from the middle of a sentence isn't going to entice anyone to click play. Take the extra minute to choose a clear, compelling custom thumbnail.

Video posts can generate up to three times more engagement than text-only updates. B2B buyers also retain 95 percent of a message from a video, versus just 10 percent from text.

By steering clear of these simple traps, you give your content a much better shot at performing well. Getting more eyes on your video is the name of the game, and you can learn more about boosting your impressions on LinkedIn in our dedicated guide.

Got Questions About LinkedIn Video? I've Got Answers.

Even with the best strategy, hitting that "post" button on a video can bring up a few last-minute questions. Let's run through some of the most common ones I hear, so you can share your next video with total confidence.

What's the best time to post my video?

Ah, the million-dollar question. While there's no single "magic" hour, the data consistently points to typical business hours. Think 9 AM to 5 PM, Tuesday through Thursday. This is when most professionals are at their desks and scrolling their feeds.

But here's the real talk: that's just a starting point. The best time for you depends entirely on your audience. Always be testing to see what gets the best reaction.

How long should my video be?

LinkedIn lets you upload videos up to 10 minutes long, but don't take that as a target. Shorter is almost always better.

I always aim for under 60 seconds. Why? Because it drastically increases the chance someone will watch the whole thing. That high completion rate is a massive signal to the LinkedIn algorithm that your content is a winner.

Can I Just Repost My TikToks or Reels?

You absolutely can, and you should! Repurposing content from other platforms is a smart way to reach a whole new professional audience on LinkedIn. I've seen it work wonders.

There’s just one catch: make sure the tone fits. A funny skit about the struggles of remote work? Perfect. A dance trend with your cat? Maybe not so much. Keep it relevant to a professional crowd.

My biggest piece of advice here: Always upload the video file directly to LinkedIn. Never, ever just paste a link to your TikTok or Instagram Reel. LinkedIn's algorithm notoriously punishes outbound links, and your reach will plummet.

Finally, a quick word on music. It can add a great touch, but please make sure you have the right license to use it commercially. The last thing you want is a copyright strike messing up your hard work.

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