How to Create LinkedIn Carousels That Actually Get Engagement

LinkedIn carousels get 24.42% engagement rate. Text posts? Just 6.67%.

That's not a small difference. Carousels also get 5x more clicks than other formats and 1.6x the reach of static image posts.

The numbers make sense. Carousels create a micro-commitment. Each swipe is a small "yes" that pulls readers deeper into your content. By the time someone reaches slide 8, they're invested.

But most carousels fail. They get posted, collect a handful of likes from colleagues, and disappear.

This guide shows you exactly how to create carousels that perform. Not theory. Specific numbers, formulas, and frameworks you can use today.

Carousel vs Text Post Engagement Comparison

The Anatomy of a High-Performing Carousel

Every carousel that performs well has four parts:

1. The Hook Slide

Your first slide has one job: make people stop scrolling. It needs to create curiosity or promise specific value. No logos. No introductions. Just the hook.

2. The Content Slides

These deliver on your hook's promise. Each slide should contain one idea. Not two. Not three. One.

3. The Rehook Slide

This is the slide most creators skip. It goes in the middle of your carousel (around slide 4-5 in a 10-slide post). We'll cover this technique in detail below.

4. The CTA Slide

Your final slide tells readers what to do next. Follow, comment, save, or visit a link in your bio.

The 4-Part Carousel Structure

How to Write a First Slide That Stops the Scroll

Your hook slide determines whether anyone sees the rest of your content. Here are five formulas that work:

Formula 1: The Specific Number

"7 LinkedIn mistakes costing you leads" "12 ChatGPT prompts for sales emails"

Numbers work because they set clear expectations. Readers know exactly what they're getting.

Formula 2: The Counterintuitive Statement

"Stop posting on LinkedIn every day" "Your engagement rate doesn't matter"

This creates cognitive friction. People stop to understand why you're contradicting common advice.

Formula 3: The Before/After

"I went from 200 to 50,000 followers in 8 months. Here's how." "My posts got 10x more reach after I changed one thing."

Transformation stories pull people in because they want the same result.

Formula 4: The Direct Question

"Why do your posts get ignored?" "What makes some profiles get 10x more views?"

Questions activate the brain differently than statements. Readers start thinking about their own answer.

Formula 5: The Bold Claim

"The only LinkedIn strategy that matters in 2024" "This framework works for any industry"

Bold claims need to be backed up in your content. But they stop the scroll.

Pick one formula. Write your hook. Then delete any unnecessary words. "7 LinkedIn mistakes that could potentially be costing you valuable leads" becomes "7 LinkedIn mistakes costing you leads."

5 Hook Formulas That Work

Design Specs That Matter

Wrong dimensions kill reach. Here are the exact numbers:

Dimensions: 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5 vertical ratio)

This is the maximum vertical space LinkedIn allows. Taller images take up more screen real estate, which means more visibility in the feed.

Font Sizes:

• Headings: 80px minimum
• Subheadings: 55px
• Body text: 45px minimum

Words Per Slide: 25-50 maximum

Why these specific numbers? Because 51% of LinkedIn users browse on mobile. Text that looks fine on your laptop becomes unreadable on a phone screen.

If your carousel isn't optimized for mobile, you're losing up to 75% of potential reach.

Slide Count: 6-10 slides

Data shows carousels with 5-10 slides get 15% more reach than average. Carousels with only 1-4 slides get 35% less reach.

The sweet spot is 8-10 slides. Enough to deliver real value. Not so many that people drop off.

Visual Consistency:

• Use the same font throughout
• Stick to 2-3 colors maximum
• Keep your layout consistent across slides

5 Content Frameworks That Work

You don't need to invent new ideas. You need proven structures. Here are five frameworks you can use for any topic:

Framework 1: Problem → Solution → Benefits → CTA

• Slide 1: Hook identifying the problem
• Slides 2-3: Explain why this problem exists
• Slides 4-6: Present your solution step by step
• Slides 7-8: Show the benefits of implementing it
• Slide 9-10: Call to action

This works for how-to content, product explanations, and case studies.

Framework 2: Myth vs Reality

• Slide 1: "5 [topic] myths holding you back"
• Slides 2-9: One myth per slide, with the reality below it
• Slide 10: Summary or CTA

This works because it positions you as someone who knows what others get wrong.

Framework 3: Do This, Not That

• Slide 1: Hook about common mistakes
• Slides 2-8: Split each slide in half. Left side shows the wrong approach. Right side shows the right approach.
• Slide 9-10: Summary and CTA

Visual contrast makes this format easy to scan and remember.

Framework 4: The Listicle

• Slide 1: "X things/tips/tools for [outcome]"
• Slides 2-9: One item per slide with brief explanation
• Slide 10: CTA

Simple. Predictable. Works every time because readers know exactly what they're getting.

Framework 5: The Story Arc

• Slide 1: Hook with transformation hint
• Slide 2-3: The "before" situation
• Slides 4-5: The turning point or realization
• Slides 6-8: The actions taken
• Slide 9: The results
• Slide 10: Lesson and CTA

Stories create emotional investment. Use this for personal experiences and case studies.

The Rehook Technique

Here's what most carousel creators miss: people drop off mid-carousel.

The solution is a "Rehook" slide placed around the middle of your carousel (slide 4 or 5 in a 10-slide post).

A Rehook slide does one of three things:

1. Creates Fresh Curiosity

"But here's where it gets interesting..." "The next part is what actually matters..."

2. Summarizes Progress

"So far we've covered X and Y. Now for the part most people skip..."

3. Promises Specific Value

"The next 3 slides contain the exact template I used..."

The Rehook slide acknowledges that readers have invested time. Then it gives them a reason to keep going.

Think of it as a second hook in the middle of your content. Without it, you're relying on momentum alone to carry people through.

Caption and Hashtag Strategy

Your caption supports your carousel. It doesn't replace it.

Optimal Caption Length: 1,200-1,500 characters

Your caption should:

1. Repeat or expand on your hook
2. Add context not in the carousel
3. Include a clear call to action
4. Ask a question to encourage comments

Hashtag Strategy: Use 3-5 hashtags

More than 5 hashtags can trigger spam filters. Fewer than 3 limits discovery.

Mix hashtag sizes:

• 1-2 broad hashtags (500K+ followers)
• 2-3 niche hashtags (10K-100K followers)

Place hashtags at the end of your caption or in a comment. Both work. Putting them in your caption is slightly better for reach.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Too Much Text Per Slide

If your slide has more than 50 words, split it into two slides. Dense slides get skipped.

Mistake 2: Weak First Slide

Putting your name, logo, or a generic title on slide one wastes your hook opportunity. Lead with value or curiosity.

Mistake 3: No Slide Numbers

Adding "1/10" or similar to each slide shows progress and encourages completion. Small detail. Real impact.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Mobile

Test your carousel on your phone before posting. If you squint to read it, your text is too small.

Mistake 5: Same Format Every Time

Audiences get bored. Rotate between different frameworks. Change your color scheme occasionally.

Mistake 6: Skipping the CTA

Every carousel needs a final slide telling readers what to do. "Follow for more" is fine. "Comment your biggest challenge" is better.

Step-by-Step Creation Guide

Here's how to create a carousel from scratch:

Step 1: Choose Your Topic

Pick something your audience struggles with. Check your comments and DMs for questions people ask repeatedly.

Step 2: Select a Framework

Pick one of the five frameworks above. Don't mix frameworks in a single carousel.

Step 3: Write Your Hook

Use one of the five hook formulas. Write 3-4 versions. Pick the most specific one.

Step 4: Outline Your Slides

Write one sentence per slide describing what it covers. This is your skeleton.

Step 5: Write Slide Copy

Expand each outline point into 25-50 words. One idea per slide. Cut ruthlessly.

Step 6: Add Your Rehook

Insert a Rehook slide at the midpoint. Make it create curiosity about what's coming.

Step 7: Design Your Slides

Use the specs above. 1080x1350px. Large fonts. Consistent styling. Include slide numbers.

Step 8: Test on Mobile

Open your slides on your phone. Can you read everything without zooming? If not, increase font size.

Step 9: Write Your Caption

1,200-1,500 characters. Hook, context, CTA, question. Add 3-5 hashtags.

Step 10: Post and Engage

Reply to every comment in the first hour. This signals to LinkedIn that your post deserves more reach.

10-Step Carousel Creation Checklist

Start Creating

Carousels take more effort than text posts. But they get 3-4x the results.

You now have the exact specs, frameworks, and techniques that work. The only thing left is to create.

If you want to skip the design work, Postking's free carousel generator handles the formatting for you. Write your content, pick a template, and export slides ready to post.

Whatever tool you use, start with one carousel this week. Use the Problem → Solution → Benefits → CTA framework. Test your hook with the Specific Number formula.

Then check your analytics. Carousels that follow these guidelines consistently outperform everything else on LinkedIn.

Related Reads

• How to Get More Engagement on LinkedIn in 2026 (Data-Backed Strategies)
• How to Get Inbound Leads on LinkedIn as a Consultant: The Authority-First Approach
• LinkedIn Content That Actually Converts (Not Just Gets Likes)