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On this page
- What is the new LinkedIn Cover Story feature?
- Should only people who are #OpenToWork use it?
- Should this be scripted as an elevator pitch?
- Can LinkedIn Cover Story videos be filmed on smartphones or iPhones?
- What is the aspect ratio for LinkedIn Cover Story?
- What is the best way to edit a LinkedIn Cover Story?
- LinkedIn tips & FAQs
- Join the LinkedIn Cover Story community
LinkedIn has launched yet another new feature to help professionals build their personal brand and assist their job search—introducing LinkedIn Cover Story! Move over boring profile photos and hello 20-second video content.
Users are now able to tell their potential recruiters and the LinkedIn community their personal story and share their career goals on a whole new level.
So, what do we need to know about the LinkedIn video cover story feature?
This blog will explore how LinkedIn video cover story can help build your personal brand, who should be using it, and the best way to edit your new video cover story using our online video editor. Here's what we'll explore:
What is the new LinkedIn cover story feature?
Should only people who are #OpentoWork use it?
Should this be scripted as an elevator pitch?
Can LinkedIn cover stories be filmed on smartphone cameras?
What is the aspect ratio for LinkedIn cover story?
What is the best way to edit a LinkedIn cover story?
LinkedIn Tips & FAQs
What is the new LinkedIn Cover Story feature?
The LinkedIn cover story feature gives job seekers a new, creative opportunity to share skills and experiences via video, with the aim to potentially catch the eye of a LinkedIn recruiter.
Video cover story will be accessible via your profile photo, with an orange ring indicating the profile has added a video cover story.
A preview of 3 seconds will also be automatically silently played within the photo frame. This new feature just might be the tool you need to stand out and jump off the paper.
Should only people who are #OpenToWork use it?
No!
LinkedIn cover stories aren’t just for open to work individuals looking to change up the delivery of their elevator pitch.
Business owners can benefit from the new feature by promoting their products and services with an entertaining yet informative short video.
Individuals and business owners who are #OpenToWork can use it to boost their personal branding and utilize this new video element on LinkedIn.
Should this be scripted as an elevator pitch?
Job seekers can use their LinkedIn video cover story to be a type of elevator pitch, although we recommend keeping it short and sweet as you don’t have a lot of time to work with.
Think of your LinkedIn cover story as a 20 second commercial or elevator pitch. Grab the attention of your potential LinkedIn recruiter, tell them why you’re the best candidate for them and share your experiences!
Your LinkedIn cover story is all about personal branding, including an introduction about yourself, highlighting some of your standout accomplishments and aspirations. Don’t fill your cover story with everything you’ve ever accomplished, save it for the skills and experience section.
You also never want to bore your potential LinkedIn recruiter. Make sure you stay on topic, keep your talking points relevant and interesting.
Don’t write a lengthy speech and read it word for word, just create a short summary of what you would like to say, remembering to include all the important details.
Can LinkedIn Cover Story videos be filmed on smartphones or iPhones?
Of course!
Currently, LinkedIn cover stories are only able to be developed on smartphone devices using the LinkedIn mobile app. You can film and edit within the LinkedIn app, or upload a pre-recorded video to another video editor, save then upload to the LinkedIn app.
Viewers will be able to watch your cover story on both mobile and desktop.
Top tips for filming LinkedIn cover stories on your phone
Film in a quiet room (preferably no background noise)
Use the back smartphone camera for better quality
Keep the camera at eye level (no one wants to see just your neck and chin)
Have a simplistic background or one color backdrop
Natural or artificial lighting directly on your face (seat yourself in front of a window)
Use our green screen effect if you do not have a suitable background
You do not need a microphone as your phone will pick up your voice with no problems
Wear suitable interview attire (what you would wear to a regular in-person interview)
For more tips on how to create a professional home studio set-up, check out our How to Film Videos When You’re Working From Home blog.
What is the aspect ratio for LinkedIn Cover Story?
Your LinkedIn cover story should be filmed in Portrait 9:16 aspect ratio.
The easiest way will be to film your LinkedIn cover story is to use portrait/vertical mode on your smartphone.
You can change the ratio in the editing process using our online video editor if you need to.
What is the best way to edit a LinkedIn Cover Story?
Now that we know the basics about LinkedIn cover stories, how do we edit them after filming? The answer is simple really, our online video editor! It’s fast, free, and you don’t have to leave your web browser.
If you don’t have access to a desktop, don’t worry! Try our new video editing iOS app for your iPhone. It’s free to download and use.
LinkedIn tips & FAQs
FAQ 1: Should I add video effects when editing?
As a LinkedIn cover story usually only has a duration of 20 seconds, it’s best to keep the fancy effects to a bare minimum, or none at all.
Your potential LinkedIn recruiter isn’t looking for how well you can edit, they’re more interested in your skills section and experience section before that orange ring runs out.
FAQ 2: Can I add background music to my LinkedIn cover story?
Yes! You are able to add background music to your LinkedIn cover story when editing in our video editor if you desire. Choose from a library full of royalty-free stock audio, or upload your own tune.
Make sure you turn the background music down to a very low volume (level 1 or 2). You don’t want the focus to be taken away from your speech. Choose suitable audio with no lyrics in it to set the tone of your video cover story.
FAQ 3: Can you have more than one LinkedIn cover story on your profile?
There can be only one cover story per LinkedIn profile. If you would like to change your LinkedIn cover story, you will have to delete your existing story and upload your new one.
FAQ 4: What should I say in my LinkedIn cover story?
Your LinkedIn cover story should showcase your personality, connect with the viewer and give them an idea of what you can provide to them as an employer. Always keep in mind how you can connect with viewers through the screen.
FAQ 5: Who can view my LinkedIn cover story?
The default option is to be viewable by first connections only, but this can be changed to be viewable by all profile viewers.
FAQ 6: Can I record webcam video for a LinkedIn cover story?
Yes, you can film your LinkedIn cover story on a webcam, but your video will be in the wrong aspect ratio.
To fix this, record using our online webcam recorder, and change the aspect ratio from 16:9 to 9:16 in the editing process.
Join the LinkedIn Cover Story community
LinkedIn cover stories are a great way to further create real connections with hiring managers and recruiters. Job seekers are able to share their personality, strengths and assets in a newfound 20-second video while connecting with viewers on a deeper level.
So, will you be using the new LinkedIn cover story feature to create an impressive video? Or are you ready to start editing with Clipchamp? If you’re wanting to further your LinkedIn game and update your Video Resume, check out our How to Land Your Dream Job blog for further assistance!
