Have you recorded your LinkedIn profile video? Formerly known as your ‘cover story’, LinkedIn began rolling out this feature in 2021.
LinkedIn have described your cover story or profile video as a 30 second video that sits behind your profile photo. LinkedIn have described it as bringing ‘your professional story to life’. It’s a bit ‘Harry Potter’ in the way it shows – take a look at mine and you’ll see what I mean! Just pop to my profile right here.
You upload (or record in app) a 30 second video which viewers to your LinkedIn profile can watch on mobile or desktop. After watching, the ‘circle’ reverts back to your profile photo.
WHY HAVE A PROFILE VIDEO?
More so than ever before, people want to know the human side of business. Even big corporations are making changes to their marketing strategies to ‘personalise’ their messaging. By recording a profile video, you are giving visitors to your profile a chance to get to know you on a much deeper level. The intimacy you can create by showing up for just 30 seconds on video, really can help bring people closer to you.
What you say in your cover story could be the difference between someone clicking through to find out more about you – or not.
HOW TO RECORD AND UPLOAD YOUR PROFILE VIDEO
Recording your profile video can only be done using the mobile app. It can be done in several ways. Possibly the easiest way is to record it is in the app itself. I would advise that you don’t do it this way.
The camera in the app is not great quality so you’re better off recording something on your mobile and uploading it to the app. It’s very easy:
- Write a script or outline of what you want to say. Remember you have just 30 seconds
- Practice what you’re going to say so you don’t need to look at your script
- Wear something appropriate to your business or the role you’re looking for
- Find a background that will work well. No bright sunlight, no other noises and good light. If you need to use extra light then get that organised.
- Position your mobile camera. It must be in portrait mode. Make sure it is at about eye-level to you and not at an angle. Put your phone on a tripod or propped up securely
- Go to your camera, flip the camera to face you and press record
- Look right into the lens – not at yourself, and start talking!
- When you’re happy with your recording, click ‘edit’ to trim off the front and end. Please note: You could at this point add captions using an app. Captions increase accessibility for deaf people and also for those who watch video with the sound off.
- Go to your LinkedIn profile on your mobile app
- Click on your profile photo
- Click ‘view or edit profile video or ‘create profile video’
- Click +Add
- Upload the video and hey presto! There you go!
HERE ARE SOME TIPS AS TO WHAT YOU CAN SAY IN YOUR COVER STORY
- This is about authenticity so be yourself! You’re doing this to show people who you are, so let your personality shine!
- Tell people who you are and how you can help them. The golden rule here is not to be ‘salesy’. This is an initial introduction, not a sales pitch. Think about profile video as your ‘first meeting’ with a stranger.
- You could share some tips. Showing knowledge helps people realise how valuable you are.
- You could say something personal about you. If you have an interesting hobby share it, it may be a great conversation starter.
- Smile! You want people to get in touch with you right? So, be open, be friendly and be appealing.
WHAT IF YOU CAN’T BEAR THE THOUGHT OF BEING ON CAMERA?
‘Talking Heads’ videos are a great way to introduce yourself and they are super easy to create IF and only if, you’re comfortable on camera.
If the thought of appearing on camera really makes you wobble, you can explore other options using animation or film editing. If you’re clever about it, you can still show your personality just as well. Finding a good editor on LinkedIn shouldn’t be too hard but read below for some ideas.
EXAMPLES OF GOOD PROFILE VIDEOS
For a great ‘talking heads’ video, check out Gillian Whitney’s video
or for one with a bit of a twist check out Kevin D. Turner’s profile video.
Not comfortable on camera? Get Gillian to create a video for you – see what Jeff Young’s looks like
Here is another example of a profile video from Tony Restell which shows how easy it can be to create them.
So, what’s stopping you from recording your LinkedIn cover story?
If you need help with profile video or any other aspect of marketing yourself or your company on LinkedIn, please send an email to [email protected].
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