Here’s a straightforward instructional guide to turn a LinkedIn article into Instagram carousel posts. Let’s start with what you’ll need.
Tools You’ll Need:
- Design Software: Canva (free and user-friendly) or Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator
- Content Organization: Google Docs or Microsoft Word for drafting and organizing text
- Stock Images/Icons: Unsplash, Pexels, or Canva’s built-in library
- Fonts and Brand Colors: Ensure consistency with your brand guidelines
- Instagram Carousel Dimensions: 1080x1080px or 1080x1350px for each slide
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Extract Key Points
a. Purpose: Identify 3–5 main ideas from your LinkedIn article
- Look for actionable tips, stats, or memorable quotes.
b. Action: Summarize each key point into 1–2 sentences. Use a conversational tone that suits Instagram.
- Example: LinkedIn article says, “A strong headline increases engagement by 50%.” → IG caption: “Want to double your engagement? Start with a headline that grabs attention!”
c. Organize: Outline these key points in a Google Doc.
Step 2: Create Carousel Flow
Slide Structure:
- Slide 1 (Hook): Grab attention with a bold statement or question.
- Example: “Is Your LinkedIn Profile Missing These 3 Game-Changers?”
- Slides 2–4 (Content): Dedicate 1 slide per key point.
- Use short, snappy text and visuals to emphasize the point.
- Final Slide (CTA): End with a clear call-to-action.
- Example: “Follow for more branding tips!” or “Read the full article on LinkedIn!”
Design Tips:
- Use high-contrast text over clean backgrounds.
- Incorporate icons, illustrations, or stock photos to add visual interest.
- Keep fonts legible and consistent across all slides.
Step 3: Build the Carousel in Canva
Setup: Create a design with Instagram dimensions (1080x1080px or 1080x1350px).
- Use Canva’s “Custom Size” option.
Design Slides:
- Slide 1: Bold text + striking image.
- Slides 2–4: Use split layouts (e.g., half text, half image) for readability.
- Final Slide: Include your logo, website, or handle + CTA.
Preview Flow: Drag-and-drop the slides in Canva’s grid view to ensure seamless transitions.
Pro Tip:
- Use Canva’s animation effects or export static slides as a video to make your carousel posts more engaging.
Here’s an example of how to turn a LinkedIn article into Instagram carousel slides based on a sample topic: “5 Ways to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile for Personal Branding.“
Example Breakdown:
LinkedIn Article Key Points:
- Write a compelling headline
- Use a professional photo
- Optimize your summary section
- Showcase your achievements with visuals
- Engage with comments and posts
Carousel Post Slides:
Slide 1 (Hook)
- Text: “Is Your LinkedIn Profile Helping Your Brand… or Hurting It?“
- Design: Bold white text on a dark, gradient background with a subtle LinkedIn logo watermark; include your handle / logo subtly at the bottom
Slide 2 (Tip 1)
- Text: “1. Write a Headline That Turns Heads”
- Supporting detail: “Your headline is your personal tagline. Make it clear, catchy, and keyword-rich.“
- Design:
- Left half: Text in large, bold font
- Right half: Illustration of a magnifying glass over text or a professional LinkedIn profile screenshot (blurred)
Slide 3 (Tip 2)
- Text: “2. Use a Professional Photo”
- Supporting detail: “Profiles with professional photos get 14x more views.“
- Design:
- Background: Split screen—half with a professional photo, half with a poorly lit selfie with a big ✖️ over it
- Highlight the statistic with an eye-catching font
Slide 4 (Tip 3)
- Text: “3. Optimize Your Summary Section”
- Supporting detail: “Focus on achievements, values, and what makes you unique. Use bullet points for clarity.“
- Design:
- Background: A clean text box with a mock LinkedIn summary template
- Include 2–3 short examples of bullet points
Slide 5 (Tip 4)
- Text: “4. Use Visuals to Showcase Achievements”
- Supporting detail: “Add multimedia to your profile: presentations, videos, or portfolio links.“
- Design:
- Left half: Text overlay
- Right half: Icon of a trophy or a portfolio page screenshot
Slide 6 (Tip 5)
- Text: “5. Engage with Comments and Posts.”
- Supporting detail: “The algorithm loves active users. Comment thoughtfully and post at least once a week.“
- Design:
- Visual of a hand typing on a keyboard with a “Like” and “Comment” notification overlay
Slide 7 (CTA)
- Text:
- Header: “Ready to Build Your Brand?“
- Subtext: “Check out the full article on LinkedIn for more tips!“
- Design:
- Include your LinkedIn profile link or username
- Your logo or Instagram handle
Add’l Bonus Info: Example Design Workflow in Canva
- Slide Templates: Use pre-made Instagram templates for consistency
- Fonts: Use bold sans-serif for headers and clean serif for supporting details
- Visuals: Add animations or simple transitions for engagement (optional)
Are you ready to grow your personal brand with high-impact content—designed to rank on Google and AI?
I’m Ivan Jimenez, a digital marketer with over a decade of experience in marketing and advertising (and the creator of this website).
This is my passion project… helping people create highly optimized content designed to position them as authorities in their space so they can land higher paying jobs that actually appreciate their value, attract amazing clients, and live their best favorite life.
If your goal is to become a thought-leader, grow your influence, and allow opportunities to find you (instead of the other way around), then you need to read this right now.