I’m not so sure about this one.
Back in October, LinkedIn announced new, Snapchat-like overlays for videos which give conference attendees the opportunity to add dedicated event frames to the content they post to the platform while attending such functions.
And that makes sense – LinkedIn’s the professional social network, and events like this are a big part of many industries, so helping people to promote them, while also aligning with the broader trend of adding effects to your videos, seems like a fairly logical move, despite it seeming slightly out of step with the more buttoned-down nature of the platform.
But now LinkedIn’s taking it to the next level. This week, LinkedIn has announced new video filters and text styles, giving users more ways to spice up their on-platform video content.
Probably best to let LinkedIn explain these:
“Today we’re excited to introduce two new ways for you to enhance your videos:
- Filters for sharing everyday work moments. With today’s launch, you can give your work buddy a “Work High Five,” swap ideas on passion projects with “Side Hustle” or share the latest with the “On the Air” filter. In the future, you’ll see more filters you can use in your professional life.
- Text styles for adding context so your community knows what’s happening, even when the sound is off. We’re launching three styles – FifthAve, Geometric and Plain – with more to come.”
Okay, the text styles seem fine, and no doubt both will have some level of functionality. But I’m not sure about these.
‘Side hustle’? Really?
I guess it’s become a common term, and maybe I’m just out the loop and people really are keen to share a ‘work high five’. I don’t know. But it feels like a reach from LinkedIn. It feels like they might be trying a bit too hard.
But then again, the truth will be in the usage data – my personal opinion, and anyone else’s, will be irrelevant if LinkedIn users warm to the option – and given that LinkedIn users are 20x more likely to share a video on the platform than any other type of post, it makes sense for LinkedIn to try and work with the broader usage trends.
Definitely, Snapchat’s Lenses have proven popular, as have Instagram’s Stories overlays, so there is precedent to suggest that LinkedIn too could benefit. And you don’t have to use them, you could just ignore them and post video as normal.
If you do want to check out LinkedIn’s new video tools:
1.Make sure you’ve updated to the latest version of the LinkedIn app for Android or iOS
2.Tap the video icon in the share box
3.Record or upload a video
4.Add a filter and text by tapping the icons on the top right
5.You can drag the elements where you want on the screen.
Pretty simple and straight-forward. Next time you have a moment – when you’re not working on your side hustle or giving a work high five – it may be worth giving them a look.