Oops! Forgot to Add a Photo? Here’s How to Fix Your LinkedIn Post
We’ve all been there. You craft the perfect LinkedIn post, hit publish, and then realize you forgot to include that eye-catching image. Don’t panic! While LinkedIn doesn’t allow you to directly edit an existing post to add a photo, there’s a simple workaround that can save the day.
As a LinkedIn marketing strategist, I’ve seen firsthand how photos can boost engagement. In fact, posts with images typically see 2x higher comment rates. So let’s dive into how you can add that crucial visual element to your post, even after it’s live.
Why You Can’t Edit Existing LinkedIn Posts
Before we jump into the solution, it’s important to understand LinkedIn’s limitations. Unlike some other social platforms, LinkedIn’s post editing capabilities are quite restricted. While you can tweak the text of your post after publishing, you can’t add, remove, or change any media elements like photos, videos, or documents.
This limitation is actually by design. LinkedIn aims to maintain the integrity of conversations and ensure that the content people engage with doesn’t drastically change after the fact. It’s a double-edged sword – great for transparency, but a bit frustrating when you need to make visual adjustments.
Deleting and Re-Posting with Photos
The most effective way to add a photo to your LinkedIn post after publishing is to delete the original post and create a new one. Here’s a step-by-step guide to do it right:
- Locate the post to edit: Go to your LinkedIn profile and find the post you want to modify.
- Delete the original post: Click the three dots (…) in the top right corner of the post and select “Delete post”.
- Create a new post:
- Click “Start a post” at the top of your LinkedIn feed.
- Add your photo(s) first by clicking the camera icon.
- Paste in your original text.
- Add any hashtags, tags, or other elements you had in the original post.
- Choose the best time to re-post: Consider when your audience is most active. Generally, weekdays between 9 AM and 2 PM are peak times for LinkedIn engagement.
- Monitor the new post: Keep an eye on the engagement levels of your new post compared to the original.
Pro tip: Before deleting your original post, take a screenshot or copy the text to ensure you don’t lose any content or comments you want to reference later.
Optimizing Photos for LinkedIn
Now that you’re adding that photo, let’s make sure it’s optimized for LinkedIn. Here are some key points to remember:
- Recommended image dimensions: 1200 x 627 pixels for landscape images, or 1200 x 1200 pixels for square images.
- File types: LinkedIn supports JPG, PNG, and GIF formats.
- File size: Keep it under 5MB for optimal loading speed.
I often use Canva or Adobe Spark for quick, professional-looking edits. These tools have pre-set LinkedIn post dimensions, making it easy to create eye-catching visuals that fit perfectly.
Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words, especially on LinkedIn. In my experience, posts with relevant, high-quality images can see up to 94% more views than text-only posts. So it’s definitely worth the extra effort to include that visual element!
Frequently Asked Questions
Will re-posting impact my post analytics?
Yes, re-posting will reset your engagement metrics. However, if your original post didn’t perform well due to the lack of an image, the new post may actually see better results.
Can I schedule posts with photos on LinkedIn?
Absolutely! LinkedIn’s native scheduling feature allows you to add photos to scheduled posts. This can be a great way to ensure you never forget to include an image again.
Are there third-party tools for posting on LinkedIn?
Yes, tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, and Sprout Social allow you to schedule LinkedIn posts with images. Some even offer the ability to edit posts after publishing, though this doesn’t extend to adding images on LinkedIn itself.
How many images can I add to a single LinkedIn post?
LinkedIn allows you to add up to 9 images in a single post. However, I’ve found that 1-3 images typically perform best in terms of engagement.
Does the order of adding photos and text matter when creating a post?
While it doesn’t affect the final post, I always recommend adding photos first. This reduces the chance of accidentally publishing before adding your visual content.
Can I add alt text to my LinkedIn post images?
Yes, and you should! After uploading an image, click on it and select “Add alt text”. This improves accessibility and can even help with SEO.
Remember, the key to success on LinkedIn is consistency and quality. While forgetting to add a photo might seem like a small mistake, it’s these little details that can make a big difference in your overall LinkedIn strategy. Happy posting!