Yes, you can absolutely do video calls on LinkedIn. LinkedIn added video calling capabilities in 2020 to allow for more direct engagement between users on the platform. This enables professionals to connect face-to-face via one-on-one video chats or video meetings with up to 100 participants.
Video calling is available through LinkedIn’s messaging feature on desktop and mobile. To start a video call, simply find the contact you want to call in your connections list or messages, and click the video camera icon next to their name. They’ll receive a notification inviting them to join the video call.
There are a few requirements to conduct video calls on LinkedIn:
- Both you and the person you are calling need to have LinkedIn premium accounts
- You both need to have the latest version of the LinkedIn mobile app or be logged into the desktop site
- The recipient of the call needs to accept the incoming call notification
As long as those criteria are met, you can leverage LinkedIn video calling for a variety of professional uses, like:
- One-on-one meetings with colleagues or clients
- Interviewing job candidates
- Connecting with business contacts you haven’t met in person
- Collaborating on projects or brainstorming ideas
- Giving presentations or demos to an individual or small group
The video quality and performance will depend largely on each individual’s internet speeds and bandwidth. But overall, LinkedIn video calling provides a convenient way to interact more personally with your professional network right within the LinkedIn platform.
What are the steps to make a video call on LinkedIn?
Making a one-on-one video call on LinkedIn is a very straightforward process:
- Log into your LinkedIn account on mobile or desktop and navigate to the My Network page.
- Locate the profile of the person you want to call in your connections list.
- Click the video camera icon next to their name.
- LinkedIn will open a video call screen and send a notification to the other person that you are requesting a video call.
- When the recipient accepts the video call, your video screens will connect and you can begin your call!
To end the call, simply click the red phone button on your video screen.
If you want to video call someone who is not one of your LinkedIn connections, you can navigate to their profile and use the “Message” button rather than the video phone icon. This will allow you to include a note inviting them to a video call before sending your request.
For group video calls and meetings with up to 100 participants, LinkedIn provides a video meetings link rather than direct calling. Follow these steps:
- Click on the Meetings tab in the LinkedIn messaging section.
- Select the “Create a Meeting” button.
- Add invitees, set a date/time, and customize meeting options.
- Click the blue “Start Meeting” button to generate a unique meeting link.
- Copy the meeting link and share it with participants to have them join the video meeting.
So while direct video calling works well for one-on-one situations, creating a meeting link is the way to go for group video conferencing through LinkedIn.
What are the requirements to make video calls on LinkedIn?
To make and receive video calls on LinkedIn, both you and the other participants must meet these requirements:
- Have a premium LinkedIn account (paid subscription)
- Be connected as 1st-degree connections on LinkedIn
- Have the latest version of the LinkedIn mobile app (iOS or Android) or be logged into the desktop website
- Have a device with a front-facing camera
- Have a stable internet connection
Additionally, for group video meetings, only Premium Business or Sales Navigator subscribers can host video meetings. However, anyone can join a meeting if invited, regardless of account type.
It’s also important to note that the call recipient must accept the incoming call notification for the video call to be established. If they ignore or dismiss the request, the call will not connect.
As long as both parties meet the conditions above, the process is as simple clicking the video icon next to a connection’s name or sending them a meeting link to join a group call or meeting. With its large user base, LinkedIn video calling makes it easier than ever to connect face-to-face with your professional network.
What are the benefits of video calling through LinkedIn?
There are many potential benefits to leveraging LinkedIn’s video calling capabilities:
- Strengthens relationships – Being able to see someone “face-to-face” forms a deeper connection than messaging or audio calls alone.
- Adds a personal touch – Video interaction leads to better communication, engagement, and collaboration.
- Saves time – Quickly jump on a video call instead of coordinating schedules for an in-person meeting.
- Increases convenience – Easily make calls during your free time without lengthy commutes.
- Allows screen sharing – Demonstrate ideas, presentations, and documents visually.
- Facilitates interviews – Video interviews make it easier to assess candidates remotely.
- Improves meeting productivity – Meetings can feel more interactive and focused through video.
In summary, LinkedIn video calling taps into the power of face-to-face communication to enhance professional relationships, save time, and increase convenience without the hassle of travel or logistics.
What are some best practices for video calls through LinkedIn?
To take advantage of all the benefits of LinkedIn video calling, keep these best practices in mind:
- Test your microphone, speakers, webcam and internet connection in advance.
- Position your camera at eye level with good lighting on your face.
- Minimize background noise and distractions.
- Dress appropriately – avoid overly casual or revealing attire.
- Frame your shot from the waist or chest up.
- Maintain eye contact as much as possible.
- Speak clearly and limit interruptions or talking over each other.
- If sharing your screen, close unnecessary tabs and prepare material in advance.
- End calls politely to maintain a professional tone.
Following those tips will help ensure your LinkedIn video calls and meetings are productive, engaging, and beneficial for all parties involved. Smooth video communication through LinkedIn depends on preparation, presentation, and etiquette.
What types of issues can you encounter with LinkedIn video calls?
While LinkedIn video calling can provide an effective face-to-face communication channel, you may encounter occasional technical issues, including:
- Poor video or audio quality due to unstable internet connections
- Calls dropping or freezing unexpectedly
- Difficulty connecting or lagging video streams
- Blurry or pixelated video resolution
- Unable to access camera or microphone
- Echoing or background noise
Troubleshooting steps may include:
- Checking your internet speed and restarting your router/modem
- Updating the LinkedIn app or refreshing your browser window
- Using wired internet connection instead of WiFi
- Allowing the LinkedIn app to access your microphone and camera
- Adjusting audio and video settings
- Moving to a room with less background noise
Most technical problems can be resolved by issues on the user’s end. But if problems persist, it may be an issue with LinkedIn’s servers, in which case trying again later is the best option.
While minor glitches can occur, they don’t outweigh the significant benefits of incorporatiing video into your LinkedIn communication. A few preparation steps can help minimize technical difficulties in most cases.
What features does LinkedIn offer for video calls and meetings?
LinkedIn provides a robust set of features to make video calls and meetings more functional and engaging:
- HD Video – Crisp, high-quality video helps conversations feel more natural.
- Customized Meeting Rooms – Brand meeting rooms with company logo and colors.
- Screen Sharing – Present documents, slides, and more from your screen.
- Recordings – Capture meeting recordings to share later.
- Chat – Chat with individuals privately or entire group chats.
- Noise Cancellation – Reduces disruptive background sounds.
- Virtual Backgrounds – Choose custom backdrops for your video feed.
- Calendar Integration – Schedule meetings directly from your calendar.
- Breakout Rooms – Split into smaller discussion groups.
- Polls & Reactions – Engage participants with real-time feedback.
Together, these capabilities allow for an interactive, multimedia meeting experience through LinkedIn. The options for customization, engagement, and collaboration mirror leading web conferencing platforms.
For professional networking purposes, conducting video calls and meetings directly within the LinkedIn ecosystem provides advantages over third-party tools. Between the large user base and robust features, LinkedIn video can become a go-to communication channel, especially for connecting with your professional network.
How does LinkedIn video calling compare to other platforms?
Compared to popular web conferencing and communication platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet, LinkedIn video calling has some key differences:
Platform | Participant Limit | Call Duration Limit | Screen Sharing | Recording |
100 | No limit | Yes | Yes (with subscription) | |
Zoom | 100 (free) | 40 mins (free) | Yes | Yes (with subscription) |
Teams | 300 | No limit | Yes | Yes (with subscription) |
Google Meet | 100 (free) | 60 mins (free) | Yes | Yes (with subscription) |
A few key points:
- LinkedIn supports up to 100 participants, on par with other platforms.
- There is no time limit for LinkedIn video calls or meetings.
- Features like screen sharing and recording require a premium account.
- Integration with LinkedIn profiles provides more professional context.
Compared to general web conferencing tools, LinkedIn video calling is positioned more as supplemental capabilities for an enhanced professional networking experience. The tight integration and focus on building connections in your industry make it a unique value-add for LinkedIn users, rather than a complete video conferencing solution. But it provides a solid foundation of features to support productive video interactions within the LinkedIn ecosystem.
Conclusion
In summary, LinkedIn offers reliable video calling and conferencing options that seamlessly integrate with LinkedIn profiles and networking. The requirements are relatively minimal, and best practices help ensure professionalism and effectiveness.
While limitations exist compared to dedicated conferencing platforms, LinkedIn video calling shines in its ability to connect you face-to-face with your professional network. The large user base, unlimited call duration, and focus on business make it easy to conduct productive video calls with colleagues, clients, and useful connections right from LinkedIn.
So if you want to take your LinkedIn networking to the next level with visual communication, or simply replace email tag-ups with quick video calls, enabling and embracing LinkedIn video can provide significant advantages.