Let’s be real – LinkedIn isn’t YouTube. People aren’t there to binge-watch your 10-minute deep dives while sipping oat lattes in bed. They’re scrolling quickly between meetings, waiting for Teams to load, or pretending to listen on Zoom. That’s why short videos, optimised properly, are your golden ticket to reach them without being ignored.

But here’s the thing: making great short videos isn’t just about trimming down content. It’s about strategic planning, intentional messaging, and platform-specific tactics that many brands overlook. Here’s how to do it right.

1. Hook them in the first 3 seconds

LinkedIn autoplays videos silently, so your opening visuals need to grab attention instantly. Avoid slow fade-ins, logos, or introductions that do nothing but waste your most powerful window.

Instead:

• Use bold captions that summarise your point instantly
• A short hook to describe the video efficiently and quickly
• Start with an intriguing statement or question in text overlay
• Lead with movement or animation to break feed monotony

For example, if your video is about leadership mistakes, don’t open with “Hi, I’m James, leadership consultant at X.” Try “The #1 mistake leaders make (and it’s not what you think).”

2. Keep it short and valuable

Attention spans are shrinking. Even LinkedIn’s own analytics show videos under 30 seconds drive higher completion rates and engagement. Focus each video on a single idea or takeaway. Avoid the temptation to cram multiple insights into one post.

Good formats include:

• One quick tip or hack your audience can apply today
• A micro-story with a clear moral relevant to your service
• A bold industry opinion to spark conversation from a non-biased viewpoint
• A teaser summarising a full blog or guide with a CTA to read more

The golden rule: clarity over complexity. Deliver value fast. Be memorable.

3. Always add captions

According to LinkedIn’s own research, 85% of videos on the platform are watched on mute, often on mobile. Relying on audio alone means losing the majority of your viewers. Always burn in captions rather than relying on LinkedIn’s auto-captions for consistent branding and better readability.

Tips for captions:

• Use branded fonts and colours for consistency
• Keep phrasing concise to sync naturally with spoken words
• Add subtle animations or highlights to emphasise key phrases

Captions aren’t optional – they’re essential for accessibility, inclusivity, and engagement.

4. Use an engaging thumbnail

If your video doesn’t autoplay (or someone replays it later), the thumbnail becomes your first impression.

Treat it like you would a social graphic or ad.

Create thumbnails that:

• Feature bright colours and high contrast visuals
• Include a clear text overlay with your video’s promise or topic
• Show your face if relevant (people connect with people)
• Subtly integrate your logo for brand recall without overpowering the message

Tools like Canva, Photoshop, or your native editing suite can create these quickly. Don’t leave it to chance by letting LinkedIn auto-pick a blurry mid-frame shot.

5. Optimise for silent storytelling

Not since silent movies first tiptoed into cinemas has the importance of getting things right for a silent generation been more important. We’re watching more content on mute than ever before. Beyond captions, think about whether your video communicates effectively with no sound. This is an advanced but powerful optimisation tactic.

Ask yourself:

• Does the first frame or scene instantly convey what this is about?
• If someone watched silently, would they understand your key message?
• Is there enough visual interest, clear typography, and movement to keep them engaged?

Designing for silent storytelling forces clarity and enhances performance across all feed conditions.

6. Upload natively to LinkedIn

This is non-negotiable. Native video uploads receive better reach and prioritisation in the LinkedIn algorithm compared to external links like YouTube. Plus:

• Square (1:1) or vertical (4:5) videos take up more feed space, commanding attention
• Native uploads autoplay smoothly without requiring an extra click
• You gain access to LinkedIn’s in-platform analytics to track performance accurately

7. Include a clear call-to-action

Short videos are excellent for brand awareness, but if you don’t guide viewers on what to do next, you lose the momentum you’ve worked so hard to build. End each video with a concise CTA aligned to your campaign goals.

Examples:

• “Comment below with your experience.”
• “Follow for more daily sales tips.”
• “Download our full LinkedIn video strategy guide (link in post).”
• “Message me if you’re ready to transform your onboarding videos.”

Even a single line of text overlay at the end can drive meaningful action.

Final thoughts from OHP

LinkedIn isn’t just for polished corporate videos with cheesy stock music and generic slogans. It’s a platform for authentic, valuable, and strategic content that builds relationships and drives business growth.

As many individuals and brands resort to AI to help in their content game, if you can educate, inspire, or provoke thought in under 30 seconds with captions and a strong hook, you’re already ahead.

Need help creating short, optimised social media videos for LinkedIn that actually get watched? Believe it or not, that’s what we do best. From scripting and editing to captioning and thumbnail design, we craft videos that stop the scroll and spark action on one of the world’s leading social media platforms. We even offer retainer packages too, meaning we’re there whenever you need us.

No hard sell, let’s have a chat. Contact us to unlock your scroll-stopping potential today.

The post How to optimise short videos for LinkedIn (without overthinking it) appeared first on Open House Pictures.