Making a good first impression on LinkedIn is critical for establishing your professional brand and credibility. An intro video allows you to personally introduce yourself, share your background and skills, and explain what makes you unique. But coming up with a script that succinctly captures your essence in just a minute or two can be a challenge. Here are some tips on what to say in your LinkedIn intro video.
Keep it short and focused
You only have 60 seconds for a LinkedIn intro video so it’s important to keep it brief and focused. Write an outline highlighting your 3-4 key messages you want to get across. Avoid rambling or providing unnecessary details. Get right to the point about who you are, what you do, and what makes you stand out.
Start with a warm greeting
Kick off your video with a warm, friendly greeting to instantly connect with your audience. For example, “Hi, my name is John Doe and I’m excited to connect with you on LinkedIn.” This helps humanize you and makes you relatable.
State your name, title and company
Clearly state your full name, job title/role, and company name to establish your professional credentials upfront. This signals to viewers that you are qualified and credible. For example, “I’m Jane Smith, a Senior Account Manager at XYZ Corp.”
Share your background briefly
Provide a quick snapshot of your background to depict your experience and journey. Focus on highlights that reinforce your expertise and qualifications for your industry/field. For example, “I have over 10 years of digital marketing experience and have helped hundreds of small businesses expand their online presence.”
Explain what makes you unique
What makes you different than others in your field? Share 1-2 sentences on your specialties, skills, interests or passions that capture your uniqueness. For example, “What makes me unique is my in-depth knowledge of both paid and organic search marketing strategies.”
State your value proposition
Explain how you can add value to your customers, company, or connections. Focus on how you can help them achieve their goals or solve their problems. For example, “My goal is to help ecommerce companies generate more revenue by optimizing their website and search campaigns.”
End on a strong call to action
Close your video with a clear call to action to drive engagement and initiate contact. For example, “I’d love to connect to explore how we can work together. Please reach out and let’s chat!”
Main Body
Now that we’ve covered some key elements to include in your LinkedIn intro video, let’s dive deeper into techniques for scripting and delivering compelling content.
Craft your story
Shape your script in the form of a story. Briefly explain your background, how you got to where you are, key accomplishments, and why you are passionate about what you do. This narrative format engages viewers much more than just stating dry facts about yourself.
Highlight achievements
Support your expertise by highlighting relevant accomplishments, awards, testimonials, or certifications. For example, “My digital campaigns have achieved a 20% increase in lead generation for 3 consecutive quarters.” However, be concise and don’t overdo it.
Emphasize skills
What skills, knowledge and capabilities make you successful in your role? Mention 1-2 soft or hard skills that you excel at. For example, “I leverage my strong project management and customer service skills to deliver excellent client outcomes.”
Use natural language
Avoid stiff, formal language and be conversational. Use natural phrasing and terminology that you would use in regular interaction. This makes you more approachable.
Show enthusiasm
Display energy and enthusiasm in your tone and body language. This conveys passion and builds an emotional connection with the audience. Avoid looking or sounding bored.
Speak slowly and clearly
Enunciate your words clearly and avoid speaking too fast. This ensures you are easily understood by viewers. Modulate your vocal pace and volume for greater impact.
Use quality visuals
Include relevant visuals like your headshot, work samples, team photos, charts, your workspace, etc. This adds visual interest to your video and gives viewers more context.
Have a clear call to action
End your video by articulating what you want viewers to do after watching it, such as connecting with you on LinkedIn, checking out your portfolio, or contacting you.
Practice and get feedback
Practice your script multiple times until your delivery sounds natural, not robotic. Record yourself and ask others to review your video and provide feedback before finalizing.
Here are some sample intro video scripts incorporating the above best practices:
Sample LinkedIn Video Scripts
Sample 1
Hi, I’m John Smith, a Senior Marketing Manager at ABC Company. I have over 15 years of experience driving digital marketing strategies for Fortune 500 brands. What makes me unique is my ability to deliver innovative campaigns on a tight budget. I’m passionate about helping companies expand their digital footprint and am skilled at analyzing data to optimize results. I’d love to connect on how I can help grow your business through digital marketing. Let’s chat soon!
Sample 2
Hello! My name is Sarah Green and I’m so glad you stumbled upon my profile. As a Project Manager at Vision Tech, I leverage my technical knowledge and leadership skills to deliver complex software implementations on-time and on-budget. I’m proud that my projects consistently achieve over 95% client satisfaction ratings. My passion is finding technology solutions that have a meaningful business impact. If you need help managing your strategic IT initiatives, please reach out! I’d love to learn more about your goals.
Sample 3
Hi there, I’m Mark Taylor, Founder of ABC Design – a branding agency for startups. Our clients have raised over $50M in funding last year with the logos, branding and marketing collateral we created. I started ABC Design because I saw small businesses struggling to develop professional brand identities on a bootstrap budget. My 15 years of design experience and visual problem-solving skills enable me to craft strategic brand solutions that tell compelling stories. Let’s connect if you need help taking your startup’s brand to the next level!
Tips for Filming Your Video
Lighting
Ensure you have adequate lighting so your face is clearly visible without shadows. Position a light source in front of you to illuminate your features. Avoid having a window or bright light source behind you.
Framing
Frame the shot close up so your head and shoulders are prominently in view. Maintain eye contact with the camera lens to engage the audience.
Background
Choose a clean, professional background like a plain wall or bookshelf. Make sure there are no distracting objects in the frame. You can also use a virtual background.
Camera angle
Position the camera at eye level or slightly above for the most flattering angle. Tilting the camera too low looks awkward. Make sure your entire face is visible.
Attire
Dress professionally as you would for an interview. Solid color shirts or blazers generally work best. Avoid busy patterns or distracting accessories.
Energy
Project high energy through your facial expressions, voice tone, and body language. This engages your audience and makes you more memorable.
Eye contact
Maintain strong eye contact with the camera to make a connection with viewers. Avoid looking down or glancing elsewhere.
Posture
Sit or stand tall with upright posture. This conveys confidence and professionalism. Slouching can be distracting.
Hand gestures
Use natural hand gestures as you would during an in-person discussion but avoid excessive movement which can be distracting on camera.
Audio
Record in a quiet room with no background noise. Use an external mic for optimal sound quality if possible. Pay attention to volume and enunciation.
Length
Keep it 60-90 seconds maximum. You want your key messages to come through without losing viewer attention.
Retakes
Record multiple takes to choose the best one where you delivered your script smoothly. Allow yourself time for do-overs if needed.
Conclusion
Creating a compelling yet concise LinkedIn intro video requires thoughtful planning and preparation. Focus your script on explaining who you are, your background, your skills, and the value you provide. Highlight achievements and use natural, conversational language. Include visuals to add context and interest. Practice until your video truly captures your professional essence and leaves viewers eager to connect with you. With these tips, you can craft an intro that makes a stellar first impression!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a LinkedIn intro video be?
Your LinkedIn intro video should be 60-90 seconds long. This gives you sufficient time to deliver your key messages while keeping the audience engaged before their attention starts to wane.
What format should I use to record my intro video?
Your intro video will need to be uploaded to LinkedIn in MP4 format. Other recording formats like MOV or AVI can be converted to MP4 using free online converters. The optimal video resolution is 1280 x 720 pixels (HD).
What background should I use for my LinkedIn video?
Choose a solid, professional background like a plain wall, solid curtain, or bookshelf. Make sure there are no distracting objects in the frame. You can also use virtual backgrounds available on many video recording platforms. Avoid busy patterns or unprofessional backdrops.
What should I wear for my LinkedIn intro video?
Dress professionally as you would for a job interview or work setting. Solid color dress shirts, blouses, and blazers generally look best on camera. Avoid busy patterns, large jewelry, or distracting accessories that can divert attention away from your message.
Should I use notes when recording my intro video?
It’s best to memorize your script so you can deliver the video directly to the camera naturally without relying on notes. Glancing down frequently to read notes breaks eye contact and pulls attention away from your message. However, you can keep bullet points or notes nearby as an outline to refer to if needed between takes.
What type of lighting works best for LinkedIn videos?
Have a soft light source like a lamp, ring light, or diffused daylight in front of you to evenly illuminate your face. Avoid harsh shadows or light behind you. Add extra lighting to adjust brightness and positioning as needed. Proper lighting ensures you can be seen clearly.
Should I edit my video after recording?
Basic editing can polish and enhance your video. Trim excess footage from the beginning and end. Splice together the best parts of multiple takes into one cohesive video. Adjust lighting levels or apply minor color correction if needed. Add text overlays, logos, or backgrounds if desired. Avoid over-editing that makes the video seem artificial.
What’s the best camera to use for LinkedIn videos?
You can produce quality videos using your smartphone if you have a newer model. For more professional results, use an HD camcorder, DSLR, or mirrorless camera with an external microphone. Invest in a tripod for stability. But don’t feel that expensive equipment is mandatory – focus on your script and delivery first and foremost.
| Section | Key Points to Include |
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| Introduction |
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| Main Body |
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| Conclusion |
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