Today I want to talk all about LinkedIn cover videos. Now, some of you may know about this feature, but others may be thinking, what cover video option. So LinkedIn has been around now for about two years since maybe 2020. I'm happy to be corrected on that. But what this does, it enables you to add sort of an intro video that people can see when they click on your profile. Now I've had one I've just recently got rid of mine because I need to update it. Hopefully by the time this podcast is going to air I have uploaded and I've got a current one up there, but I have found it to be really, really effective because it sort of enables you to share a really quick video, kind of like an overview of your experience and skills. And between the shift in social media trends and the pandemic eliminating sort of a lot of in person interviews.
Video really has become an integral part of the hiring process around the world. Now from pre recorded video cover letters to online videos. It really seems that video is becoming more popular for the recruitment process. And now LinkedIn has jumped on board this trend by introducing well several new video features, including the LinkedIn cover story. So what is it it basically is a video which is a maximum of 20 seconds long. Now I think about it, it was probably 2021 Actually that it got introduced. It's a bit of a blur for me 20 and 21, but similar to the video profile image function on Facebook, the LinkedIn cover story video lives in the same area as your profile photo. Now it doesn't replace your profile picture, but they exist in the same space. So someone will come along and they'll hover over your profile pic and that's when your video will play. Now when you've uploaded your cover video, you will see a little orange circle appear on the edges of your profile image. So when someone comes along to click on your profile, your cover story video automatically begins to play silently in the profile image bubble. And then I guess a viewer can then decide to click on the video and that's what activates the sound.
Now like any new feature, there are pros and cons for both job seekers and recruiters. Probably the main pros are that it shows your personality. So the personalities give you that opportunity. You have the ability to bring your resume to life and share your new product or service. It's an easier way to provide context for maybe some career changes and gaps. You have a way to show off your public speaking and video content skills. But some of the cons. It does sort of give a sort of potential bias in the recruitment process based on appearance or maybe your speaking skills shouldn't be that way. I'm just saying this is a potential con.
There are also potential disadvantages for less tech savvy job seekers, and a poorly produced or a scripted video may actually hurt your chances. of securing a client or even an interview or job. So how to make a LinkedIn cover story video. I'm going to give you a couple of steps so you can have a really impressive LinkedIn cover video.
And I do encourage you after you listen to this podcast episode to have a crack have a go and doing your LinkedIn cover video. But first of all, you really need to determine what your goal is. So get clear on the purpose of the video. Are you specifically looking for a new job? Perhaps you're promoting a product or maybe just your services? Or are you just sort of browsing for opportunities, so get some real clarity on what your goal is? Then outline your script. So it doesn't have to be a word for word scripts, but you might want to just note down the main points that you want to make and the key phrases that you'd like to use. Write your video script. So take the main points and then write a full script. This is not for everyone. I've said to outline the script and look for me I would just do a couple of dot points but for those of you who are nervous, write the script out take the main points, but remember to read sentences aloud to ensure that they sound natural before you go and record your video. Have a few trusted people review what you're going to say or maybe review your video and get feedback on this for maybe two or three trusted people such as colleagues or friends and then make adjustments based on that feedback. I know mine looked really newsreader like very very polished and scripted, which is not creating a great impression I have that sort I have to work on. I often sound very scripted, and I'm not scripted. It's just something when I have a camera in front of me I naturally turn that news reader face and voice on and practice your script. So you know if you are going to do a script, just practice it a few times before you hit record. It's really just so you can be as comfortable and as natural as possible. Set up your video shoot space.
So check your lighting your sound and your video and ensure that you have sufficient natural or artificial light and remove any distractions and practice where you place your phone. Also practice where you place the camera or your webcam for the best angle, get dressed, wear something that's professional, but also makes you feel comfortable and confident. It's really important to shoot your videos so record your video and hold it for a few seconds at the beginning. And then at the end of your script as well. Maybe just have a little bit of leeway there. So that allows some room for editing.
Then edit your video. If you do need to edit your video that is you can probably use in short to iMovie or even Instagram like start doing it as a real to make it easily editable. And then you can adjust visual and audio aspects of your video. Then upload your video save your video to your phone and upload it to the LinkedIn cover story video section of your profile. Now LinkedIn is always changing what you can and can't do and how you do it. But at the time of recording this you can only upload your video from your LinkedIn app on your phone. You can't do it from the desktop version. It's always changing though but right now that's all that's the only way to do it.
So just finally a couple of ideas on what to talk about in your video. You might want to outline your career highlights, perhaps share a personal brand niche and your passions. Highlight your top three most valuable skills, perhaps display your personality and then share your availability. So are you available remotely full time contract, are you this is really your opportunity to put your elevator pitch to life. It's really your first impression people are getting of you. And to be honest, using a LinkedIn cover story video might just be the thing that gets you noticed it might be the thing that scores you that winning clients or if you're going for a job, it places you above other candidates. But remember make it impressive.
I'm now going to go and record my LinkedIn cover videos. So check it out at my profile at Jamie avid on LinkedIn. Hope you have fun as always, if you have any questions, feel free to send me an email Jamie and Jamie Abbott's dot com.au And I look forward to hearing some feedback about how you went in recording and uploading your LinkedIn cover story.
