In the fast-paced digital world, researchers often need to communicate their findings and insights in engaging, digestible formats. LinkedIn carousel posts, which allow for the seamless sharing of multiple slides in a “swipeable” format, are a powerful medium for this purpose. Adobe Express, a user-friendly and free design tool, is an excellent resource for creating professional and visually compelling carousel posts, even for those with limited design experience. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can leverage this tool to craft LinkedIn carousel posts that captivate and inform.
Understanding LinkedIn Carousel Posts
A LinkedIn carousel post allows users to upload a series of images or documents that viewers can swipe through. This format is ideal for presenting research highlights, data visualisations, step-by-step guides, or storytelling. Carousels create an interactive and engaging experience that “builds a story” page after page and encourages viewers to spend more time on your post, increasing the likelihood of interaction and sharing.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Adobe Express for Carousel Posts
1. Define Your Purpose and Audience
Before diving into design, clarify your goal:
Are you summarising research findings?
Sharing a methodology?
Promoting a study or paper?
Understand your target audience, whether it's fellow researchers, industry professionals, or the general public. Tailor the content to resonate with their interests and level of expertise.
2. Plan Your Content Flow
Carousel posts work best when they have a narrative structure. Sketch out your ideas for each slide:
Slide 1: A catchy title or question to grab attention.
Slides 2-5: Key insights, visuals, or data points.
Last Slide: A clear call-to-action (e.g., "Read the full study" or "Contact us for collaboration").
Organise your slides to ensure each one contributes to the story without overwhelming viewers with information. Remember – less is MORE!
Caption: Example of a LinkedIn carousel post before being exported as a multi-page PDF – see what it looks like on LinkedIn
3. Start with Adobe Express
Adobe Express is a versatile platform that simplifies graphic design. Follow these steps to get started:
Create an Account: Sign up for a free Adobe Express account. For additional features—such as access to premium templates, a broader selection of Adobe Stock assets, advanced editing tools, and increased storage—you can opt for the Premium plan, which requires a subscription.
Choose a Template: Search for “LinkedIn carousel post” templates or start with custom dimensions. Keep in mind there are both free templates as well as templates that require an upgrade to the premium version of Adobe Express.
LinkedIn supports various aspect ratios and dimensions for carousel posts:
Square Format: 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
Portrait Format: 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5 aspect ratio)
Landscape Format: 1920 x 1080 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio)
Each format serves different purposes:
Square (1:1): Offers universal compatibility and balanced viewing across devices.
Portrait (4:5): Optimised for mobile viewing, occupying more screen space and potentially increasing engagement. I recommend this format since most people go on social media on mobile these days.
Landscape (16:9): Suitable for wide-format presentations and data visualisations, often preferred for desktop viewing.
Set Your Branding: Using a consistent look and feel makes you look professional so consider using the “Brand Kit” feature to upload your logo, colors, and fonts for consistent branding across all slides.
4. Design Your Slides
Adobe Express offers intuitive tools to make your slides professional and visually appealing.
Backgrounds and Colours: Choose backgrounds that align with your research theme. For instance, a clean white background might work well for technical content, while a gradient can add vibrancy to simpler messages.
Typography: Use clear, legible fonts. Highlight key points with bold text or color accents. Don’t forget to optimise text size for readability on small screens.
Data Visualisation: Incorporate graphs, charts, and infographics directly into the slides. Adobe Express integrates with Adobe Stock and other resources for visuals.
Icons and Images: Search Adobe Express’s free library for relevant icons or upload your own visuals to support your message.
5. Maintain Consistency
Consistency is crucial in carousel design to maintain a professional appearance. Use:
Uniform margins and spacing across slides.
A cohesive color palette.
Similar font styles and sizes.
Consistency helps create a smooth experience for viewers swiping through your carousel.
6. Export Your Carousel
When your design is complete:
Review each slide for errors or inconsistencies.
Download the slides as high-quality multi-page PDF.
7. Share and Monitor Performance
Publish your carousel on LinkedIn by selecting the option “Add a document” with a compelling caption and relevant hashtags.
Encourage engagement by asking questions or inviting feedback.
Use LinkedIn analytics to monitor the post’s performance and refine your strategy for future posts. In my experience, carousel posts tend to do better than simpler text-only or image posts. It probably comes down to the fact that they demonstrate effort which resonates more strongly with audiences.
Tips for Success
Keep It Simple: Avoid overloading slides with too much text or complex visuals. Prioritise clarity.
Engage Emotionally: Use storytelling techniques or compelling visuals to connect with viewers.
Iterate: Experiment with different layouts and themes to identify what resonates most with your audience.
Carousel posts are a fantastic way to showcase your work in a vibrant and engaging manner, making it easier to catch the eye of your LinkedIn audience. By using these posts, you can highlight your key findings, spark interesting conversations, and build a strong professional network. It's a simple and effective way to make your research stand out!
Author: Leo Krause
