How LinkedIn Stories starts commercial discussions...

Now that the buzz has died down, what do you really think of LinkedIn Stories…?

Here's what LinkedIn say: 

"LinkedIn Stories enable members and organizations to share images and short videos of their everyday professional moments.

Sharing Stories is an easy way to share your experiences and insights, and to build meaningful relationships with your professional community. LinkedIn shares Stories that you post for 24 hours".

The important bit, for me anyway...

“...an easy way to share your experiences and insights, and to build meaningful relationships with your professional community….”

You've got to love that, yet another way to start conversations and build meaningful relationship, and who doesn’t want that right now…..??

Here' my take:

I got into this from day 1. I posted some short video and some images, fumbled around a bit posting nonsense, but then struck on something I liked. 

I love movies and I'm a Strategic Social Media business coach, so I put up movie and TV images with Social Media for business related quotes – light-hearted and fun….its become a thing!

Quick maths:

I post 9 of these per day (3 in the morning, 3 midday, 3 night)

I get on average 30 views per Story – 270 per day

Say half the people viewing are repeat viewers – take that down to 135

In fact, lets be really, really conservative and say it’s roughly a quarter…65.

So, in one week, there are around 455 new opportunities for me to start a conversation with someone….. and that’s every week.

Think about that…

Conversation opportunities that wouldn't have existed without LinkedIn Stories...

If you are in Sales or front line with prospects and clients why wouldn’t you take advantage of this..?

I regularly make connections on LinkedIn Stories that lead to conversations, that lead to business meetings. 

Here's what can happen

From a LinkedIn Story posted only a few weeks ago, I am now in discussion with someone I’d never met before and we are now in advanced negotiations about them representing our company in another country…

All from a view of a LinkedIn story...

Now, its not perfect by any means, there are issues which will be fixed over time. It’s not as slick or as advanced as Stories on other platforms, but it will get better.

There is no easy way to track who viewed, right now its a manual process you have to take advantage of it live before it all disappears...or take loads of screenshots!

But its easy to moan and poke....it takes more effort to get on with it.

Getting in and testing what works and doesn’t for you is a really good idea. Short video, images, insight...its all fair game and remember, we are doing it to start conversations.

We know that LinkedIn will be watching this right now and its sure that those that are getting involved will be getting some algorithm credit for boosting the new service - so its a good idea to get in a get some content up there now.

This is your space to share your Stories - there are loads of 'influencers' shouting at us about what we should and shouldn't put on Stories...here is my loose guide:

1. Avoid using this as yet another platform to Sell to us…
2. Tell Stories and add some interest…
3. Share what you are doing and show us….
4. Have some fun and find your unique angle
5. Follow up with the viewers
6. Start conversations...

Some people wont get it, some people wont see the point, some people will hate the idea - And these will be the people who wont use it and wont see the benefit.

The fact is, we are all here to connect, build relationship and have conversations - If a LinkedIn Story can help with that...what's not to like?

Lets talk about how to add this to your armoury in Strategic Social Media for you and your business.

Eric Doyle

Crux / DLA Ignite.