In the history of social networks, we know sometimes social networks give, and other times they take away. That’s exactly what happened back in July 2022 when LinkedIn announced the removal of their native carousel post format.
LinkedIn’s move caught many B2B marketers off-guard as LinkedIn carousel posts seemed to boost engagement and earn at least 5 times as many clicks as any other post format on the network. https://www.socialinsider.io/blog/linkedin-benchmarks/#1
But have no fear, you can still post LinkedIn PDF Document posts and even create them to have the same look as posting carousels. What’s even better? Now you can do this all seamlessly from right inside the Oktopost platform as you create and schedule all your social posts across your Content Calendar.
Here’s how you can create stand-out LinkedIn PDF Document posts in Oktopost.
What’s a LinkedIn PDF Document post?
A LinkedIn PDF Document post is a content format that lets you upload a PDF document directly to LinkedIn. The majority of B2B marketers use them as an interactive way to engage with their audience, providing their followers with tips, best practices, and insightful data in a straightforward and impactful way.
Once a LinkedIn PDF Document post is published, LinkedIn members can easily swipe through and see the content of a document you have uploaded to LinkedIn in a single post. Members are also able to download the entire PDF document directly from LinkedIn.
Think about how game-changing this is for your audience. How many times have you been scrolling through your LinkedIn feed, seeing something interesting that you want to read in-depth, but have to run into a meeting or catch the train.
LinkedIn PDF document posts are a great way to deliver a positive experience to your followers by not only sharing meaningful content but also giving them a way to save your PDF to read at a time more convenient for them. So let’s dive into what makes a great LinkedIn PDF Document post.
LinkedIn PDF carousel posts look like this:
[image of carousel post on Oktopost- embed post]
Source: Oktopost on LinkedIn
PDFs allow you to share in-depth insights, in an easy-to-read, engaging format. Plus, LinkedIn members can easily download your document, helping them keep your brand top of mind.
They can also look like this:
Carousels aren’t the only engaging way to share PDFs on LinkedIn. Posting long-form PDF documents can prove to be a powerful way to capture and engage your audience, especially on LinkedIn where content is constantly being scrolled through at lightning speed. This type of content often stands out and invites your audience to pause, engage, and absorb valuable information. This includes guides, one-pagers, whitepapers, case studies, and reports.
[image of long-form document]
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/cbiz_employee-benefit-plan-audit-changes-in-secure-activity-7199031248869076992-s1_p?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
For B2B marketers, leveraging long-form PDF documents on LinkedIn is a strategic way to ensure your audience gets the information they need, exactly when they need it.
How to create PDF document posts in Oktopost
Why long-form PDF document posts matter
Long-form content goes beyond the quick, snackable posts that fill most social media feeds. Posts that include long-form PDF documents help provide in-depth insights, detailed analysis, and substantial value that become essential for decision-makers looking for information to guide their choices. Here’s why they are strategic for your B2B social media marketing:
Depth of information: Including long-form content in your social posts gives your brand the ability to dive deep into a subject, providing thorough explanations and detailed insights that short posts simply can’t deliver to your audience.
Establishing authority: Sharing well-researched and informative content positions your brand as a thought leader in your industry.
Engagement: LinkedIn members who invest time in reading your long-form content are more likely to engage deeply and retain the information, increasing the chances of your followers returning for more.
Creating impactful long-form content ready for social
To design long-form content that works well on LinkedIn, consider the following tips:
Focus on quality: Make sure your content is well-researched, accurately cited, and provides genuine value to your audience
Engaging design: Use visuals, charts, and infographics to break up the text and make the content more engaging. This will make your network want to scroll through your document.
Clean structure: Organize your content with headings, subheadings, and bullet points for easy and clear reading.
Compelling hook: Start with a strong introduction that will hook your audience while also clearly stating the value they will gain from reading the document you are posting about on LinkedIn.
Actionable insights: End your document with a strong call to action, encouraging your readers to either implement what they have learned or contact you for further information.
PDF Document post specs
When it comes to managing your social media marketing, nothing screams efficiency more than being able to create all different types of content in one place. If you’re looking to create stand-out content in your feed, here’s what you’ll need to make sure your PDF Document posts are reflected right on LinkedIn when you post through Oktopost:
A document file (Must be: PDF)
Maximum of 300 pages
File size should be less than 100MB
US Letter size landscape orientation for best visibility
If you’re looking to create a “carousel-like experience” where your audience can engage and scroll your content in a visually appealing way, we recommend:
Selecting the document you want to break down
Pulling out the main points
Heading over to Canva, or your design team
Select the size: 1080 x 1080
Download as a PDF
Upload into your Oktopost post console!
Incorporating long-form content posts and PDF Carousel posts into your LinkedIn strategy is a powerful way to provide your audience with the in-depth information they need to make decisions. By sharing guides, one-pagers, whitepapers, case studies and reports in a downloadable PDF format, you ensure that your content is accessible, professional and ready to be consumed at a time that best fits with your network. This is just one more tool in your Oktopost toolbox to keep your audience engaged, and customers well-informed. Embrace the potential of long-form PDF document posts and watch as your audience engagement and brand authority grow.
