Adding a thumbnail image to your LinkedIn posts is a great way to make them more visually appealing and engaging. A relevant, high-quality image can help grab your audience’s attention and entice them to click on your post. Here are the steps for adding a thumbnail when creating a post on LinkedIn:
Select an Appropriate Thumbnail Image
The first step is to choose an image that represents the content of your post well. Some tips for selecting a good LinkedIn post thumbnail:
- Pick an image that is relevant to your post topic. For example, if your post is about remote work, choose an image related to working from home.
- Opt for an eye-catching, high-quality image. Images with bright colors or interesting compositions tend to perform better.
- Use original images when possible. Stock photos can work but authentic images tend to engage audiences more.
- Make sure your image is sized properly. LinkedIn recommends thumbnails be at least 1200 x 627 pixels.
- Check that you have rights to use the image or that it is licensed for commercial reuse.
Upload the Thumbnail Image
Once you’ve chosen your image, it’s time to upload it:
- When creating your LinkedIn post, click on the “Add an image” icon in the post editor toolbar.
- In the window that pops up, select “Upload photo or video” and choose your desired image file.
- You can also pull images from your existing LinkedIn media library.
- Upload your thumbnail image and select “Done” once it finishes.
Insert the Thumbnail Into Your Post
Now your image will be added to the post editor. To make it the thumbnail:
- Drag and drop the image to the top of your post content.
- When you see the “Make this your post thumbnail” message, select “Make thumbnail.”
- The image will now be embedded at the top as your featured thumbnail.
- You can re-arrange or delete the thumbnail at any time before publishing your post.
Preview and Adjust the Thumbnail
Before posting, be sure to preview how your thumbnail looks:
- The image should be prominent and eye-catching in the post preview.
- Make sure the image appears crisp and clear on desktop and mobile.
- Try cropping or resizing the thumbnail if needed to improve its fit and alignment.
Take a minute to perfect your thumbnail – this preview gives you a chance to tweak it so it grabs attention when your connections scroll through their feeds.
Publish Your Post
When you’re happy with how your thumbnail looks, go ahead and publish your LinkedIn post as usual. The thumbnail you selected will now be featured prominently with your content.
A few last thumbnail tips:
- Test different image options and styles to see which thumbnails perform best.
- Consider coordinating your thumbnail image with your company brand colors.
- Change up your thumbnail image approach depending on your post objective.
Adding eye-catching thumbnails is an effective way to increase engagement with your LinkedIn content. With this simple process, you can start incorporating visual media into your posts and attracting more readers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What image sizes work best for LinkedIn thumbnails?
The recommended thumbnail size for LinkedIn posts is 1200 x 627 pixels. Images with a 16:9 horizontal aspect ratio will fit nicely in the thumbnail slot. However, vertical images can also work as long as they are high-resolution.
Can I use the same thumbnail for multiple LinkedIn posts?
It’s best practice to use a unique, relevant thumbnail for each of your LinkedIn posts. Repeating the exact same thumbnail too often looks spammy and lacks originality. However, you can reuse images moderately if you alter or crop them differently.
What types of images make for good LinkedIn thumbnails?
Some image varieties that tend to perform well as LinkedIn thumbnails include face shots, lifestyle photos, infographics, quotes, data visualizations, diagrams, your own product photos, and branded imagery. Choose images that align both with your brand and content.
Should I put text on my LinkedIn thumbnail image?
You can overlay some text on your LinkedIn post thumbnail if relevant, but keep it minimal. A few choice words can help convey the theme, but avoid long sentences or paragraphs. Too much text crowds the image visually. Let the picture say a thousand words.
How can I make my thumbnail stand out more in LinkedIn feeds?
Some tips for making your thumbnail grab more attention: Use high-contrast colors and filters, include people’s faces, try an unusual cropped closeup, leverage striking typography, pick an emotional image, employ strategic blurring, and consider negative space.
Conclusion
Adding a thumbnail image to LinkedIn posts provides a way to make your content more eye-catching and engaging. Select a relevant, high-quality image, upload it to your post editor, insert it at the top as the thumbnail, preview how it looks, and adjust as needed. With this extra visual element, your posts are sure to get more attention in LinkedIn feeds. Use striking thumbnails to draw readers into your thought leadership content.