Carousel posts are one of the most effective formats.Â
They’re visual, swipeable, and designed to keep people engaged, which LinkedIn’s algorithm loves.
With just three tools, you can create and publish a carousel in minutes:
1. Canva to design your slides
2. ChatGPT to format your content
3. Podawaa to help more people see your carousel post
In this guide, you’ll learn how to:
- Create a carousel from scratch
- Upload it the right way on LinkedIn
- Use Podawaa to increase your visibility and engagement
Before creating the carousel posts, see what works and what does not with real examples: 10 LinkedIn Carousel Post Examples
How to Create and Upload a LinkedIn Carousel Post
Follow these five simple steps to create and publish a LinkedIn carousel that gets noticed and performs.
Step 1: Create Your Carousel Slides
Use a tool like Canva to design your carousel. Start with one of many free templates; they’re already sized perfectly (1080x1080px) for LinkedIn.Â
Customize the slides to match your brand style or tone. Keep the design clean and text minimal. Each slide should focus on one key point.
If you need help writing the content, use ChatGPT to format your LinkedIn post into a slide-by-slide breakdown (e.g., headline, main points, CTA).
Step 2: Download as a PDF
Once your design is ready, download it as a PDF. This is the format LinkedIn requires for carousel posts.
Make sure the file name is clean (avoid things like “final-v3.pdf”) and that each slide looks good on mobile.
Step 3: Upload to LinkedIn
Head to LinkedIn, click “Start a post,” then use the document icon to upload your PDF. You can also choose to schedule it at the best time to post.
Add a short, scroll-stopping caption, and make sure to fill in the document title (this shows up on the post). If you need help with the intro, have a look at our list of Linkedin Post Examples.
Keep your first slide strong, it’s what stops the scroll.
Step 4: Add a Link in the First Comment
If you want to include a link (e.g., to a blog, product, or lead magnet), drop it in the first comment, not the post.
This keeps your reach high; LinkedIn deprioritizes posts with links in the caption.
Step 5: Boost Your Post With Podawaa
The first hour after you post is key. That’s when LinkedIn decides how much reach your carousel gets.
Podawaa helps you boost engagement in that critical first hour, with smart, non-spammy promotion that gets your content in front of the right audience.
More engagement = more reach, saves, and shares.
Best Carousel Strategy: Canva + ChatGPT + Podawaa
Here’s a recap if you want to create a fast and easy strategy for your LinkedIn and become a top voice.Â
Use this simple 3-tool stack for faster creation and better reach:
- Canva to design clean, swipeable slides
- ChatGPT to structure your content and write clear slide copy
- Podawaa to give your post more visibility in the first hour
Add Podawaa to Chrome, paste your post link, and select your target audience by job title, language, or industry.
FAQs
What’s the difference between a LinkedIn carousel post and a LinkedIn carousel ad?
A LinkedIn carousel post is an organic post uploaded as a PDF document with multiple slides.
A LinkedIn carousel ad is a paid ad format managed through LinkedIn Campaign Manager. Both use similar swipeable carousel images, but ads are promoted to reach more potential customers.
Can I use carousels for personal branding or just business?
You can use carousel posts for both. They’re great for sharing insights, stories, or expertise, whether you're building a business page or growing your personal branding strategy. Many LinkedIn users use carousels to stand out in the LinkedIn feed without needing videos or fancy design.
Do I need special tools to create a LinkedIn carousel?
You can create LinkedIn carousels using tools like Canva, then export them as a PDF. LinkedIn lets you upload these using the document sharing option in a new post. It's a quick way to upgrade from basic single-image posts to a more engaging content format that helps you save time and boost your engagement rate.