Video has become one of the most effective ways to capture attention on social media—and LinkedIn is no exception. For professionals, decision-makers, and B2B audiences, LinkedIn video ads offer a powerful way to tell stories, showcase products, and generate high-quality leads.
What Are LinkedIn Video Ads?
LinkedIn video ads are paid promotional videos that appear directly in users’ feeds or as sponsored placements. They auto-play silently, grabbing attention without interrupting the browsing experience, and encourage interaction through likes, comments, and clicks.
Types of LinkedIn Video Ads
Sponsored Video Ads (Feed Ads): Appear in the LinkedIn newsfeed, ideal for brand storytelling, product demos, and thought leadership.
Message Video Ads (InMail): Sent directly to a user’s inbox with a personalized message and embedded video, great for targeted lead generation.
Carousel + Video Combinations: Mix static images with short videos for a dynamic experience, useful for campaigns that explain multiple features.
Why Use Video Ads on LinkedIn?
Video outperforms static formats by driving more clicks and shares. For B2B marketers, the ability to combine storytelling with precise targeting makes video especially powerful. LinkedIn itself reports that video ads can boost brand awareness by up to 33%, making them a go-to for businesses looking to connect authentically with professionals.
How to Create LinkedIn Video Ads
Open Campaign Manager: Go to LinkedIn Campaign Manager and start a new campaign.
Choose Your Objective: Awareness (visibility), consideration (engagement or visits), or conversion (leads, purchases).
Upload Your Video: 15–30 seconds works best. Use MP4 under 200 MB, add subtitles, and stick to 1:1 or 16:9 ratios.
Set Targeting: Define your audience by job title, seniority, company size, skills, or industry.
Set Budget and Schedule: Daily or lifetime budgets, with CPC, CPM, or CPV bidding.
Publish and Monitor: Track performance in Campaign Manager and optimize based on CTR, views, or engagement.
Best Practices for LinkedIn Video Ads
Hook viewers in the first 5 seconds.
Always include subtitles for silent viewers.
End with a clear call-to-action (CTA) like “Book a demo” or “Learn more.”
Test multiple creatives and video lengths.
Use authentic footage—real people resonate more than overproduced clips.
Video Ads vs Static Ads: A Quick Comparison
Feature | LinkedIn Video Ads | LinkedIn Static Ads (Images/Text) |
|---|---|---|
Engagement | Higher clicks, shares, and comments | Lower engagement, less interactive |
Storytelling | Strong—great for demos, testimonials, brand | Limited—best for direct offers or promos |
Cost | Slightly higher CPM/CPV | Generally lower CPM |
ROI | Better for long-term awareness + lead quality | Better for short-term traffic pushes |
Viewer Attention | Holds attention longer (up to 30s+) | Quick glance, easily ignored |
Takeaway: Use video ads when you want to engage and tell a story, and static ads when you need fast, low-cost visibility. A smart mix of both often works best.
Conclusion
LinkedIn video ads can transform your B2B marketing by combining storytelling with precision targeting. They capture attention, build trust, and convert more effectively than static ads alone. By following best practices and balancing video with other ad formats, you’ll maximize both engagement and ROI on the world’s leading professional network.
