Introducing LinkedIn Cover Story
LinkedIn, as we all know, has evolved as the prime network for professionals looking to connect, showcase their skills, and of course, find their next employment opportunity. In its quest to improve user experience and offer more personalization features, LinkedIn has launched a new tool known as the “LinkedIn Cover Story”. A LinkedIn Cover Story allows you to add a more personal touch to your profile in the form of a short video introduction. Now, before we dig deeper into this feature, let’s take a moment to understand the reason behind LinkedIn’s innovative offering.
In a progressively digital era where most of the professional communications take place virtually, an engaging and unique LinkedIn Cover Story video can speak volumes about you as a professional. It is an excellent opportunity to share not only what you do but who you are, and what makes you stand out from the crowd.
How to Create Your LinkedIn Cover Story
Creating your LinkedIn Cover Story is straightforward. Go to your LinkedIn profile, click on the profile picture, and then click on ‘Add Cover Story’. LinkedIn allows you to record a video directly through its platform, or you can upload an existing video. The duration of this video can be up to 20 seconds long.
While it is quite an easy task to get your video set up, the challenge lies in crafting a message that encapsulates your professional essence effectively. Highlighting your key skills, experience, and aspirations strategically within such a short time frame can appear as a substantial challenge.
Here are some tips to consider while preparing your LinkedIn Cover Story:
– Keep it Professional: While your Cover Story is an opportunity to show your personality, it is essential to remember LinkedIn’s professional nature. Dress professionally and use proper language.
– Make it Engaging: Grab your audience’s attention within the first few seconds with a compelling intro.
– Highlight Your Achievements and Skills: Briefly highlight your notable professional achievements and skills to showcase your expertise.
– End with a Call to Action: Conclude your video with a clear call to action – this could be reaching out to provide a service, wanting to connect with like-minded professionals, or looking for new job opportunities.
The Potential Impact of LinkedIn Cover Story
The LinkedIn Cover Story feature can be quite powerful, creating a big impact on your professional networking and job-seeking endeavors if used correctly. Here’s how:
– Humanizes Your Profile: A LinkedIn Cover Story provides a glimpse into your personality, making your profile more relatable.
– Showcases Your Communication Skills: Crafting and presenting a compelling LinkedIn Cover Story showcases strong communication and presentation skills – two abilities greatly valued in any industry.
– Enhances Your Brand: Carefully curated video content provides an opportunity to enhance your personal brand by presenting a consistent narrative.
– Facilitates Greater Engagement: Video content has been proven to drive more engagement. With a standout Cover Story, you are likely to attract more profile views, thereby increasing your chances of expanding your network or landing your dream job.
In conclusion, LinkedIn’s Cover Story is an excellent addition to their features, opening up opportunities for professionals to accentuate their profiles with a personal yet professional touch. Diving into it and making good use of this feature can increase engagement, connections, and opportunities. Along with your headline, summary, experience, and endorsements, your LinkedIn Cover Story can turn your profile into a well-rounded presentation of your professional self.