A LinkedIn intro video is an effective way to showcase your skills, experience, and personality to connections and potential employers. With video becoming an increasingly popular content format on LinkedIn, an intro video can help you stand out from the crowd.
Creating a successful intro video doesn’t have to be complicated. By following some best practices and keeping it professional yet personable, you can make a great first impression.
What to Include in Your LinkedIn Intro Video
Your intro video should provide a quick yet memorable overview of who you are professionally. Key information to include:
- Your name and job title or area of expertise
- The company you work for or industry you’re in
- A brief professional background summarizing your skills and experience
- Interests, passions, or hobbies that shape who you are
- What makes you unique – highlight a special accomplishment or awards
- Your goals and how you can add value to an employer or connection
The video should humanize you while remaining professional. Briefly highlight interests or causes important to you to showcase your personality.
How Long Should Your Video Be?
Aim for 1-2 minutes maximum. People have short attention spans online, so you want to quickly get your message across.
Write an opening statement or script to keep your intro focused. Time yourself to make sure it fits within the 1-2 minute range before recording.
Tips for Filming Your Intro Video
Location
- Film indoors in a quiet space with no background noise
- Avoid overly busy backgrounds that distract from you
- Frame the camera straight on, leaving some space around your head and shoulders
- Use professional backdrop if available, such as wall with your company colors
Lighting
- Ensure your face is well-lit from the front to be clearly visible
- Natural lighting near a window is best, but overhead works too
- Avoid strong backlight that puts your face in shadow
Framing and Camera Position
- Position camera at eye level or slightly above
- Frame from mid-chest up for medium close up shot
- Look directly into the camera when speaking
- Maintain good posture and friendly expression
Clothing and Grooming
- Wear professional, neutral-colored clothing
- Solid color button-down shirts or blouses are best
- Make sure clothes are neatly pressed with no distracting patterns
- Style your hair neatly and check your appearance in the camera
Test out your setup first before recording your final video. Ask a friend to watch it over to check lighting, framing, clothing, and background.
Tips for Content of Your Video
- Practice your script several times aloud before filming
- Speak slowly and clearly – enunciate words fully
- Maintain good eye contact with the camera lens
- Use natural hand gestures if helpful, but avoid distracting mannerisms
- If needed, do several takes to get desired results
- Smile and aim for a warm, friendly tone – relax and be yourself!
How to Record Your LinkedIn Intro Video
You don’t need fancy equipment to make a great intro video. There are several easy methods:
Using Your Smartphone
- Record directly on your iPhone, Android, etc.
- Use the rear/selfie camera and prop it up on a tripod
- Make sure camera lens is clean for best quality
- Film in landscape mode, not portrait
With Webcam and Computer
- Most laptops have built-in webcams adequate for intros
- External USB webcams offer higher video quality
- Use software like QuickTime or Zoom to record
Using Online Recorder
- Sites like Loom, Screencast-o-Matic, or Vidyard
- Allow you to record directly from your webcam
- May offer templates, stock media, editing features
For the best quality, external mics often improve sound over built-in camera mics. But test the audio first before investing in equipment.
How to Edit Your LinkedIn Video
After filming, use video editing software to compile clips and polish your intro:
Trimming the Video
- Cut out unneeded pauses, mistakes, filler words (“um”, “like”, etc)
- Use the best 1-2 minutes that cleanly delivers your message
Transitions Between Clips
- Fade or cut smoothly between multiple clips
- Apply simple transition effects between scenes
Text and Graphics Overlays
- Open with your name, title, company logo
- End with your contact info or LinkedIn URL
- Keep text short – focus stays on you
Color Correction
- Adjust brightness, contrast, saturation
- White balance clips for consistent color
Audio Enhancements
- Normalize sound levels across clips
- Add subtle background music
- Noise removal if needed
Aim for a simple, polished edit that highlights you – don’t overdo effects. Popular editing tools include iMovie, Adobe Premiere, and OpenShot. Ask a video savvy friend for help if needed.
Uploading Your Video to LinkedIn
Finished videos can be added to your LinkedIn profile in a few steps:
- Go to your profile and click “Add profile section”
- Select the “Featured” section
- Give section a title like “About Me” or “Introduction”
- Upload your saved video file
- The video will now auto-play atop your profile
Be sure to fill out the rest of your profile too with a strong photo, headline, summary, and work history sections.
You can also share your intro video directly in LinkedIn posts or messages. Just upload the file the same as you would a photo.
Tips for an Impactful LinkedIn Intro Video
Following best practices will ensure your video leaves a positive impression:
- Keep it short and energetic – aim for 60-90 seconds max
- Smile and use natural body language and gestures
- Wear neat, professional attire in neutral tones
- Show your personality while remaining work-appropriate
- Speak slowly and enunciate words clearly
- Have great lighting that shows your face clearly
- Reduce background noise and distractions
- Use subtle graphics and text overlays to enhance the video
- Close by sharing your LinkedIn URL or contact info
Before publishing, get feedback from trusted colleagues. Ask them if your intro provides a engaging snapshot of who you are and what makes you a strong hire.
Why LinkedIn Intro Videos Are Effective
Adding a strong intro video to your LinkedIn presence provides many benefits:
- Shows your communication skills in action
- Conveys your personality and work style
- Quickly highlights your background and abilities
- Makes your profile stand out and memorable
- Establishes you as tech-savvy and social media adept
- Can be easily shared with networks to introduce yourself
- Gets more profile views versus just text and photos
Video is an increasingly popular and expected format across digital platforms. With LinkedIn’s focus on relationships, video can help you make connections and find opportunities faster.
Conclusion
Adding a strong yet concise intro video to your LinkedIn profile can help maximize your professional presence. Avoid overly elaborate productions – a simple video filmed on your phone highlighting your background, skills, and personality can be very effective.
Focus on coming across as genuine while maintaining a professional tone. Follow best practices for framing, lighting, clothing, and speaking for best on-camera presence. Edit clips down to a focused 1-2 minutes featuring your strengths.
With video becoming more central to LinkedIn, an intro video can help you stand out, expand your reach, and showcase the value you bring to potential employers and partners.