LinkedIn Carousels: How to Create Viral Carousels [2024]

LinkedIn Carousel is one of the most important features on LinkedIn to boost your profile engagement. This article will provide you with valuable information on what a carousel is, its benefits, and various types of carousel posts on LinkedIn.

Furthermore, we will give you insightful tips and tricks to design an effective LinkedIn carousel and best practices to follow when creating one. We will also introduce you to some useful tools you can employ to create impressive carousels and how to track metrics and performance to optimize your content.

So, if you’re looking to boost your engagement and create visually appealing content on LinkedIn, read on and explore the world of LinkedIn Carousels!

What is LinkedIn Carousel?

A carousel post on LinkedIn refers to a post that contains multiple images or cards, which users can swipe through horizontally to view. Each card within the carousel can have its image, text, and link, offering a unique opportunity to share more content in a single post than a standard image or text post.

Carousels can contain 2 to 20 individual cards, allowing for creative flexibility and diverse storytelling opportunities. They can be used in both organic posts and paid LinkedIn ad campaigns.

Benefits of Carousels on LinkedIn

Carousels offer numerous benefits for LinkedIn users, making them a popular choice for businesses and individuals alike. Some of these benefits include:

1. Enhanced User Engagement: Carousels encourage users to interact with the content by swiping through the cards, which increases the odds of them engaging with your post and absorbing the message you are trying to convey.
2. Versatile Storytelling: A carousel allows you to showcase multiple images or ideas in a single post, often leading to a more compelling narrative. The various cards in the carousel can work together to tell a story or convey information about your brand, product, or service.
3. Better Visual Impact: The ability to showcase a series of visuals or a combination of visuals and text increases the visual appeal of your post, grabbing the viewer’s attention and retaining their interest.
4. Increased Content Real Estate: With the opportunity to share up to 10 different cards in a single post, carousel posts can hold more information, images, and links than a standard post, allowing you to communicate more with the same amount of real estate in the LinkedIn feed.
5. Higher Conversion Rates: For businesses using carousel ads, the interactive nature and storytelling capabilities of the format can lead to higher conversion rates when compared to standard image or text ads.

Types of Carousel Posts on LinkedIn

There are various types of carousel posts that you can create on LinkedIn, depending on your objective and the story you want to tell. Some popular examples include:

1. Product Showcase: Use a carousel to present your product from different angles or highlight the various features and benefits it offers.
2. Informative Presentations: Create a series of cards that guide users through a step-by-step process, offer tips, or teach them about a particular subject.
3. Company Culture: Share images from company events, team-building activities, or employee highlights to give users a glimpse into your company culture.
4. Customer Testimonials: Showcase customer testimonials, reviews, or case studies by presenting each quote on a separate card within the carousel.
5. Portfolio Pieces: For freelancers and creatives, a carousel post can be utilized to showcase a series of your best work samples or recent projects.

When creating a LinkedIn carousel post, it’s essential to consider the overall design, flow, and messaging to ensure that the content is engaging, visually appealing, and effective in meeting your objectives.

With the right approach, carousel posts can offer a unique and compelling way to communicate with your LinkedIn audience.

Designing an Effective LinkedIn Carousel

A LinkedIn carousel is an engaging and eye-catching way to share content on the platform. With the ability to showcase multiple images and text slides, carousels offer a unique opportunity for businesses and individuals to share valuable information and create an immersive experience for their audience.

Below, we will discuss the key components of designing an effective LinkedIn carousel, from establishing your goals to optimizing text and captions.

Establishing Your Goals

Before diving into the creation process, it is important to establish the objectives of your carousel post. By defining the goals, you can create a focused and impactful carousel that effectively communicates your message and resonates with your audience.

Common objectives could include:

1. Educating: Sharing thought leadership or informative content that establishes you as an authority in your industry.
2. Promoting: Showcasing a new product, service, or upcoming event to generate interest and leads.
3. Engaging: Encouraging conversations and interactions with your audience to foster community growth and collaboration.
4. Storytelling: Sharing success stories, case studies, or your brand’s journey to create relatability and credibility.

By aligning your carousel design with your marketing goals, you can ensure that it serves a clear purpose and delivers value to your audience.

Creating Appealing Visuals

Visuals are a crucial aspect of your LinkedIn carousel, as they capture your audience’s attention and encourage them to engage with your content.

When designing your visuals, consider using bold colors, captivating images, and aesthetically pleasing layouts to make your carousel stand out in the busy LinkedIn feed. Keep consistency in mind when selecting images and designing your slides.

This will help your audience easily follow the flow of information and keep them engaged throughout the carousel experience.

Furthermore, using custom illustrations or animations can help your carousel stand out while also highlighting your brand’s creativity and thoughtfulness.

Selecting the Right Content

The content within your LinkedIn carousel should be relevant, timely, and of value to your audience. Consider choosing content that can be easily consumed and understood within a few seconds, as users will likely not spend much time on each slide.

Some effective content ideas to consider for your carousel include:

1. Industry statistics or data points that showcase your expertise.
2. Key takeaways from a recent blog post, whitepaper, or presentation.
3. Step-by-step guides or tutorials that provide actionable advice or tips.
4. Inspirational quotes or insights that motivate and connect with your audience.

Optimizing Text and Captions

While visuals are important, the text and captions within your carousel should not be overlooked. Aim to write clear, concise, and compelling copy that provides context, highlights key points, and encourages further engagement.

Additionally, ensure your text is easily legible on both desktop and mobile devices. Use simple fonts, proper spacing, and an adequate font size to promote readability for your users.

In addition to optimizing the text within your carousel, also consider crafting a strong post caption that invites user interaction and expands upon the content within the carousel.

Utilizing Branding Consistently

Incorporating consistent branding elements throughout your LinkedIn carousel can enhance the visual appeal of your post while also building brand recognition. Utilize your brand’s color palette, typography, and logo strategically to create a cohesive and professional look.

Holding to your brand identity ensures a consistent experience for your audience, while also reinforcing your brand message and positioning.

As you can see in the image down below, this LinkedIn author added her username to every slide, which is what you should do with your brand as well.

LinkedIn Carousel Best Practices

LinkedIn carousel posts offer a unique and engaging way to share content and attract the attention of your professional audience. Implementing carousel best practices will help ensure your posts stand out, engage with your followers, and ultimately achieve the desired outcomes.

Here are some crucial best practices to consider when creating LinkedIn carousels:

Telling a Clear Story or Message

A compelling and well-defined story or message is integral to the success of a LinkedIn carousel. Ensure that each card in the carousel provides necessary and related information and that the message flows smoothly from beginning to end.

Use captivating headlines and imagery to create interest and encourage users to continue swiping through the carousel.

Additionally, focus on one primary idea or theme for the entire carousel to maintain coherence. Potential followers may become disinterested in your content if the message is unclear or the content is disjointed.

To prevent this, avoid cramming too much information into one post and consider creating multiple carousels if you have a lot of information to share.

Maintaining a Consistent Design and Theme

Consistency in design and theme is called to make your carousel post appear polished and professional. Keep the same style, fonts, and colors throughout the entire carousel to create a cohesive look.

This will make it easier for your audience to follow the content and absorb the information.

Furthermore, consistent design and theming help bolster your brand identity. A recognizable and unique style makes it easier for users to associate your carousel content with your brand, resulting in increased familiarity and trust.

Additionally, using high-quality images and illustrations that relate to your content draws the viewers’ attention and promotes user engagement.

Incorporating Call-to-Action (CTA) Buttons

Call-to-action (CTA) buttons serve as a guide, encouraging users to take a specified action upon viewing your content. Well-crafted CTAs can successfully generate conversions, such as visiting your website, signing up for a newsletter, or downloading a resource.

Include a CTA button in your LinkedIn carousel design, ensuring that it’s visually appealing and effectively prompts viewers to perform the desired action.

Some tips for crafting effective CTAs are:

• Use clear and concise text that guides the users on their next steps
• Choose a contrasting color for the CTA button to make it easily noticeable
• Place the CTA button strategically, usually on the final card of the carousel, to serve as a natural conclusion

By following these LinkedIn carousel best practices, you’ll enhance your ability to create engaging and effective content. This results in maximizing the impact on your audience and achieving your desired results.

Tools for Creating LinkedIn Carousels

LinkedIn carousels are a popular and engaging way to present information and showcase your expertise on the platform. Creating visually appealing and informative carousels requires the right set of tools to ensure your content stands out among your connections.

In this article, we discuss various tools and resources that can help you design outstanding LinkedIn carousels.

Graphic Design Software

Several graphic design software programs are available that can help you create professional-looking LinkedIn carousels. Here are a few popular options:

1. Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign): Adobe’s Creative Suite offers a comprehensive suite of tools that can help you create stunning carousels. Illustrator is used for vector graphics, Photoshop for image editing, and InDesign for layout purposes. You can create a visually appealing layout in InDesign, use Illustrator for designing icons, and edit images in Photoshop.
2. Canva: Canva is an easy-to-use, web-based graphic design tool that has prebuilt templates for LinkedIn carousels. With its myriad of design elements and intuitive interface, Canva allows you to create professional-looking carousels in a matter of minutes. The platform also offers a paid pro version with additional features and resources, such as the ability to remove backgrounds from images and access to a wider range of premium templates.
3. Visme: Visme is another web-based design tool perfect for those who are not as experienced with graphic design software. It provides pre-designed templates, icons, and fonts while allowing you to create fully customizable LinkedIn carousels. The tool also features millions of royalty-free stock images and offers collaboration features for teams. Plus, it has a free version with limited capabilities and storage.
4. Figma: For those who prefer collaborating with teammates on design projects, Figma is a great option. This vector-based design tool is excellent for creating LinkedIn carousels, as it allows simultaneous editing and provides an organized workspace. Figma has premade carousel templates, and it also integrates with other tools like Google Drive and Dropbox.

Templates and Presets

To save time and ensure a professional look, many design tools offer pre-made templates and presets. Search for “LinkedIn carousel” within your design tool of choice to find relevant templates or presets.

These can also be found through websites like Behance and Dribbble, where designers showcase their work and offer downloadable assets.

When using templates, remember to customize elements like font, color, and imagery, so the carousel represents your brand and message. It’s essential to credit the original creator of the template if required and to adhere to any usage guidelines.

Stock Images and Resources

Effective LinkedIn carousels often include high-quality images and illustrations to engage viewers visually. Here are some excellent resources for stock images, icons, and fonts:

1. Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay: These websites offer a vast collection of high-quality, royalty-free stock images that you can use in your LinkedIn carousels. Most images found on these platforms have no copyright restrictions and can be used for commercial and non-commercial purposes.
2. Flaticon and The Noun Project: Both websites provide a comprehensive library of icons and symbols that can be used in your carousels. Simply download the desired icon and use it within your design tool.
3. Google Fonts: This platform offers a collection of free fonts to enhance the typography in your carousel. Integration with design tools like Adobe Creative Suite and Canva makes it easy to implement the fonts into your designs.

By combining solid graphic design software with template resources, stock images, and design elements, you’ll be on your way to creating LinkedIn carousels that engage your audience, showcase your expertise, and drive results within the platform.

Tracking LinkedIn Carousel Metrics and Performance

LinkedIn carousels are an excellent way to showcase your business offerings, but also to share valuable insights, or even present a variety of ideas. As with any content type, it is essential to track and assess the performance of your LinkedIn carousel posts.

Then, you can fine-tune your content strategy for better engagement and return on investment. This article will provide an in-depth look at tracking LinkedIn carousel metrics and optimizing posts based on insights.

Key Performance Metrics for Carousels

While tracking LinkedIn metrics, you also need to consider some crucial performance metrics specific to carousel posts. These include:

1. Carousel Impressions: This metric measures the total number of times your carousel content was viewed in feeds.
2. Carousel Clicks: This represents the clicks on the carousel or any of its cards.
3. Click-Through Rate (CTR): By dividing carousel clicks by carousel impressions, you can calculate the click-through rate. A high CTR indicates that your carousel content is engaging and resonates with your audience.
4. Carousel Shares: This measures the number of times users have shared the carousel post with their 1st and 2nd-degree connections. Shares are essential, as they extend your reach beyond your followers and expose your content to a larger audience.
5. Carousel Comments and Likes: A high number of comments and likes is an indicator that your carousel post is generating interest among your audience.

Optimizing Carousel Posts Based on Metrics

To optimize the performance of your carousel posts, leverage the data from LinkedIn Analytics and performance metrics specific to carousels. Some of the strategies you can follow are:

1. Carousel Content: Pay attention to your best-performing carousel content – this will help you identify which content themes and topics your audience prefers. Based on these insights, you can refine your content strategy to produce more engaging carousel posts.
2. Carousel Design: The design aspects of your carousel, such as imagery, colors, and text, may have an impact on its performance. Analyze the common visual elements of your top-performing carousel posts and apply those characteristics to future content.
3. Post Timing: Experiment with posting times to identify peak engagement periods. Your audience may be more likely to engage with your content at specific times or on particular days.
4. Carousel Sequence: Analyze the performance of each carousel card and consider rearranging the sequence of cards for better engagement in future posts.

Comparing Carousel Metrics with Other Content Types

It is essential to compare the performance of carousel posts with other content types like images, videos, and text-only posts. This will help you understand the overall content strategy effectiveness.

Track the engagement metrics (clicks, likes, comments, and shares) of each content type and compare them against the number of impressions to determine which formats resonate most with your audience.

By analyzing the success of different content types, you can tailor your content strategy accordingly and maximize results.

In conclusion, tracking LinkedIn carousel metrics and performance is essential for refining your content strategy on this platform. By leveraging the data available in LinkedIn Analytics, you can optimize your posts for better engagement and visibility.

1. What is the purpose of LinkedIn Carousels?

LinkedIn Carousels are designed to create engaging and interactive content for users. This content format also allows for multiple images in a single post, making it an effective way to showcase products, share a story, or present information in a more visually appealing manner.

2. How can I create a LinkedIn Carousel post?

To create a LinkedIn Carousel post, first, design and save each slide of your carousel as separate square-shaped images. Then, while composing a new LinkedIn post, click on the “camera” icon to upload multiple images, selecting the saved slides in their correct order.

3. What are the image specifications for LinkedIn Carousel posts?

For best results, the image size should be 1080 x 1080 pixels, in a 1:1 aspect ratio. These specifications will ensure your LinkedIn Carousel images appear crisp, clear, and optimized for both desktop and mobile viewing.

4. How many images can I include in a LinkedIn Carousel post?

Each LinkedIn Carousel post can include up to 20 files. Allowing you to create a dynamic, informative, and visual storytelling experience for your audience. Be sure to make the best use of available slides to enhance user engagement.

5. Can I add text and links within the images of a LinkedIn Carousel?

Yes, you can incorporate text and links within your images, but you cannot add clickable links. Keep in mind that your text and any embedded URLs must be legible and visible. You should ensure that the user can easily understand your message and copy-paste the links if necessary.

6. Can I track the performance of my LinkedIn Carousel posts?

LinkedIn’s built-in analytics tools enable you to monitor likes, comments, shares, and impressions of your carousel post. Additionally, you can use UTM parameters or unique tracking URLs within your images. This will further measure your audience’s engagement with your content and website traffic from the carousel post.