Linkedin short form video - What you need to know

With the beta launch of vertical video formats similar to TikTok and Instagram Reels, LinkedIn is offering both individuals and businesses a unique opportunity to enhance their online presence.

But what makes LinkedIn Short video feed different? And why should you care? Well, not only does this feature allow you to tap into the viral power of short-form content, but it also gives you access to a high-value professional audience — one that's often more influential and engaged than what you’d find on other platforms.

This means the potential to build authentic connections with decision-makers, all while showcasing your expertise through digestible, visually engaging content.

Let’s break down the steps you can take to make the most of this opportunity.

Why Short-Form Video on LinkedIn is a Game Changer

One of the most exciting aspects of LinkedIn’s new short-form video feature is its interest-based recommendation algorithm, which sets it apart from traditional text-based content and other platforms.

Rather than simply showing your videos to your immediate connections, LinkedIn’s algorithm analyzes user behavior and interests to surface content that aligns with what viewers are already engaging with.

This means your videos are more likely to land in front of people outside your existing network—people who may not know you personally but are genuinely interested in the topics you’re discussing. For example, if you’re making videos on leadership development, the algorithm will prioritize showing it to users who frequently engage with similar themes, regardless of whether they follow you.

How to take the most Linked in short form video

1. Overcome the typical challenges of Short Video Engagement

One of the biggest challenges short-form videos face in crowded LinkedIn feeds is grabbing attention in the first few seconds. Unlike other forms of content, you have just 3-5 seconds to convince a viewer to stop scrolling and engage. Here’s how to make the most of that fleeting window:

1. Start Strong, Skip the Fluff The first few seconds matter more than ever. Avoid generic greetings like “Hi, I’m John, and today we’ll talk about…” and jump straight into something that piques curiosity or addresses a pain point. For example, “Here’s why 80% of businesses fail at marketing…” immediately hooks the viewer with value.

2. Use Visual or Motion Cues Incorporating quick visual or motion cues at the start, such as a bold text overlay or an unexpected visual change, can stop the scroll. These cues create a pattern disruption in the feed, making viewers pause to see what’s next.

3. Leverage Curiosity Frame your message in a way that creates open loops. Instead of just stating facts, ask provocative questions or make incomplete statements like, “What if I told you you’re wasting 30% of your ad budget right now?” This compels viewers to stay for the answer.

Grabbing attention in the first few seconds of a short video isn’t easy, but with the right approach, it’s doable. Skip the small talk, bring in something visually engaging, and leave viewers wanting to know more. The key is to make them curious enough to stick around and see what you have to say.

2. Optimize for LinkedIn’s Unique Ecosystem

LinkedIn operates differently than TikTok or Instagram. The type of content that works on LinkedIn often centers around business value, professional development, or inspiration. Optimizing your short-form videos for LinkedIn’s audience and platform features is essential.

• Tap Into Trending Conversations: LinkedIn’s Content Suggestions tool allows you to see what topics are resonating with your audience. Use this to your advantage by creating short videos that address these trending topics. For example, if remote work is trending, share a quick video on how your company is managing remote teams or offer leadership tips for virtual workplaces.

• Create a Video Series: LinkedIn content thrives when it’s built with continuity in mind. Instead of one-off videos, think in sequences. For example, if you’re discussing digital marketing strategies, break it down into several short videos, each diving into a specific tactic, and link them together over time. This not only keeps your audience coming back for more but also boosts overall engagement on your profile.

3. Streamline your content production

The trick of building a presence on LinkedIn is figuring out how to do it without spending all your time on it. If you can take one piece of content and use it in different ways across platforms, you’ll stay active without constantly feeling like you’re starting from scratch. It saves you time and makes it easier to keep up with everything without getting overwhelmed.

• Create a Podcast as a Content Hub: One of the most effective ways to generate a steady flow of content is by creating a podcast. A podcast serves as a content repurposing hub. For instance, after recording a 30-minute podcast, you can extract key insights and transform them into multiple short-form videos for LinkedIn. Podcasts also allow you to bring in guest experts, providing even more content opportunities while broadening your network.

• Leverage AI Tools for Faceless Videos: For professionals who prefer to stay behind the scenes or want to streamline content creation, AI-powered tools like Flarecut can be game-changers. Flarecut enables you to create faceless videos for linkedIn by converting ideas, insights, and audio into engaging visuals, all without having to appear on camera. This is especially useful for repurposing written content or audio-only podcasts into video format.

4. Use the 4-1-1 Rule to Build Relationships, Not Just Promote

It’s easy to fall into the trap of constantly promoting your own brand or services on LinkedIn, but the platform thrives on genuine knowledge sharing and networking. That’s where the 4-1-1 rule comes in — a simple content-sharing strategy designed to balance self-promotion with value for your audience.

The 4-1-1 rule suggests that for every six pieces of content you share:

• Four should be helpful, informative posts from others in your industry, such as sharing an insightful article, a resource, or an industry trend.
• One should be a soft promotion—something valuable related to your business but without directly selling, like a behind-the-scenes video or a client success story.
• One can be a direct promotion, like offering a new service or driving traffic to your website.

Apply the 4-1-1 rule to your short-form videos by occasionally featuring insights from industry leaders, sharing useful resources, or even offering commentary on industry news. This not only shows that you’re engaged in the broader conversation but also builds trust within your network. People are more likely to engage with and share content from someone who provides value beyond just promoting themselves.

5. Create Linkless Posts to Boost Engagement

While LinkedIn is a fantastic platform for driving traffic to your website, not every post needs to include a link. In fact, linkless posts often perform better because they keep users engaged on the platform, leading to more organic interaction.

Post a thought-provoking question related to your industry: “What’s the biggest challenge you face with remote team collaboration?” Avoid the temptation to drop a link. Instead, encourage a conversation right on LinkedIn. The discussions that follow can be even more valuable than clicks, as they position you as a thought leader willing to engage directly with your audience.

If you still want to share a link to an external page make sure to do it in the comments. This way you make sure Linke in won't penalize your content.

6. Boost Your Best-Performing Content to Expand Reach

If a video is already performing well organically, consider giving it an extra push by boosting it. Boosting allows you to target specific demographics and extend the reach of your content far beyond your immediate network.

Focus on boosting posts that showcase thought leadership, highlight customer success stories, or introduce new products. For example, a short video about how your product helped a customer overcome a specific challenge can be powerful when boosted to similar audiences. You’re not just promoting a product — you’re telling a story that resonates with potential customers.

7. Build a Sustainable Content Strategy

Creating high-quality videos consistently can be time-consuming. This is where smart planning and repurposing can help you build a sustainable content strategy that doesn’t burn you out.

• Transcribe Videos for Copywriting: After recording, use tools like Podsqueeze to transcribe your video content. You can then easily turn the transcript into LinkedIn posts, blog articles, or even email newsletters. This ensures that every video you create has multiple uses, saving you time while increasing your reach.

• Leverage LinkedIn Showcase Pages: Showcase pages are perfect for segmenting your content. You can create different pages for various arms of your business or product lines and tailor content to specific audiences. For example, if you’re a digital marketing agency, one showcase page could focus on SEO, while another could center on social media marketing strategies. This allows you to target niche audiences with hyper-relevant content.

Conclusion

LinkedIn is no longer just for job seekers and recruiters — it’s becoming a vibrant platform for storytelling, business insights, and authentic connections, and video is at the heart of this shift. The rise of short-form videos on LinkedIn is transforming how professionals engage with their networks.

With the tips outlined here — whether it’s boosting your best content, repurposing videos from other platforms, or creating visually compelling content — you’re ready to take full advantage of LinkedIn’s short content feed. Remember, success on LinkedIn is about showing up consistently with value-driven content. Videos that are informative, concise, and professionally crafted can help you build lasting professional relationships while expanding your reach.

The future of LinkedIn is video—those who adapt their strategies will lead the way.