A Straightforward Instructional Guide to Turn a LinkedIn Article into Instagram Carousel Posts

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:

  1. Design Software: Canva (free and user-friendly) or Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator
  2. Content Organization: Google Docs or Microsoft Word for drafting and organizing text
  3. Stock Images/Icons: Unsplash, Pexels, or Canva’s built-in library
  4. Fonts and Brand Colors: Ensure consistency with your brand guidelines
  5. 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:

  1. Write a compelling headline
  2. Use a professional photo
  3. Optimize your summary section
  4. Showcase your achievements with visuals
  5. 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

  1. Slide Templates: Use pre-made Instagram templates for consistency
  2. Fonts: Use bold sans-serif for headers and clean serif for supporting details
  3. Visuals: Add animations or simple transitions for engagement (optional)