LinkedIn carousels are an effective way to showcase multiple pieces of content in a visually engaging post on LinkedIn. Carousels allow you to include up to 10 cards with images, videos, links, and text in a horizontal scrolling layout. Creating carousels directly in LinkedIn can be time consuming, but you can easily create them using PowerPoint and then upload the slides as images to LinkedIn.
Why Use a LinkedIn Carousel?
There are several benefits to using LinkedIn carousels:
- Catch viewers’ attention – The scrolling image format stands out in the LinkedIn feed.
- Increase engagement – Carousels have been shown to increase likes, comments, and shares compared to regular image posts.
- Showcase multiple content – You can feature up to 10 different pieces of content in one post with a carousel.
- Tell a story – The cards can work together to tell a narrative across the carousel.
- Promote products/services – Use carousel cards to highlight offerings or case studies.
- Drive traffic – Include links to your website or landing pages on the cards.
How to Create a LinkedIn Carousel in PowerPoint
Here are the step-by-step instructions for making a LinkedIn carousel using PowerPoint:
1. Setup your PowerPoint file
- Open a new blank PowerPoint presentation.
- Go to the “Design” tab and click on “Slide Size”. Change the slide size to 940 x 788 pixels, which are the dimensions for LinkedIn images.
- Click on the “Insert” tab. Select “Photo Album” and add 10 photo album slides to serve as your carousel cards. The slides will be numbered 1-10.
2. Design your carousel cards
On each photo album slide, insert the content you want for that card in the carousel. Here are some tips:
- Insert images, logos, graphics to catch attention.
- Add informative headlines and subtitles.
- Use concise bullet points instead of long paragraphs.
- Include links, videos, gifs, or other multimedia.
- Use consistent branding/styling across the cards.
Make sure the content on each slide is visually cohesive. Use PowerPoint’s design tools to apply backgrounds, themes, and layouts.
3. Check order and flow
Preview the slideshow to check the order and flow of the carousel cards. The cards should work together to tell a story or present information logically. Reposition the slides as needed.
4. Export as images
To upload your carousel to LinkedIn, you need to export each slide as an individual image file. Here’s how:
- Go to the “File” tab and select “Save As”. Choose where you want to save the files.
- Change the file type drop-down to “JPEG File Interchange Format”.
- Make sure the “Save every slide” box is checked.
- Click “Save”. This will export each slide in your PowerPoint as a numbered JPEG image.
5. Create your LinkedIn post
You’re now ready to create your LinkedIn post with the carousel:
- Go to LinkedIn and start a new post. Write your main post text and add hashtags or mentions.
- Click the image icon to add your photos. Select the exported PowerPoint slides in sequential order.
- Once all slides are uploaded, LinkedIn will automatically create the carousel.
- Edit the order or text of each card as needed directly within LinkedIn.
- When done, publish your post with the carousel!
LinkedIn Carousel Design Tips
To create an effective, high-converting LinkedIn carousel, keep these design tips in mind:
- Choose visually stunning images. Eye-catching photos or graphics will draw attention.
- Use high-contrast colors. Dark text over light background is most readable.
- Highlight important information. Bold key texts; use arrows or boxes.
- Keep text short and scannable. Users won’t read long blocks of text.
- Use consistent branding/style. This creates a unified look across cards.
- Direct viewers with clear calls-to-action. Ex: “Learn more”, “Sign up now”.
- Tell a story. Arrange cards so they connect and flow logically.
- Review on mobile. Most users will view the carousel on phones.
Carousel Content Ideas
LinkedIn carousels are flexible and can be used to showcase a variety of content types. Consider using carousels to:
- Feature case studies or customer testimonials
- Show off products or service offerings
- Promote blog or article summaries
- Highlight team members or employees
- Display an event agenda or speakers
- Summarize key data points or statistics
- Compare product/pricing plans
- Show steps in a process or timeline
- Preview multiple ads or campaigns
- Promote downloads, coupons, or giveaways
Measuring LinkedIn Carousel Performance
Once your carousel is posted, you can check its performance within LinkedIn to see how well it is reaching your audience. Here are some key metrics to track:
- Impressions – The number of times your post has been seen.
- Clicks – Clicks on the carousel cards or call-to-action buttons.
- Engagement rate – Percentage of impressions that engaged through reactions, comments, shares, clicks.
- Shared clicks – Clicks after the post was shared by others.
- Follows/leads – Any new followers or leads generated.
Compare performance to your other regular posts. A successful carousel should see higher engagement and clicks. Test different types of content in your carousel to see what resonates most with your audience.
Conclusion
Creating LinkedIn carousels using PowerPoint provides an easy way to make eye-catching, professional carousels. The step-by-step process involves designing visually appealing slides, exporting them as images, and uploading them to LinkedIn in sequence. Using compelling content in your carousel and tracking performance metrics will allow you to iterate and improve over time. Carousels enable brands to showcase products, promote content, and engage their LinkedIn audiences in an impactful, memorable way.