LinkedIn Stories are finally here. Following in the footsteps of Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook, you can now share in the moment images and videos with your audience.
So what does this mean for businesses? We’ve explored the different ways you can use Stories as part of your social media strategy. Read on.
HOW TO USE STORIES FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Any individual or business page can create Stories. It’s simple. Firstly, you’ll need the latest version of the LinkedIn mobile app — unfortunately, Stories haven’t reached our desktop screens just yet, but this could be in the works (we hope).
You can then view Stories created by your connections and pages you follow. Just head to the top of your feed and tap on the bubble icons. Once tapped, Stories will display in a full-screen 9:16 format.
If you’re wanting to take the leap and create your first Story, you can either import images and videos straight from your photo gallery or just record from the app itself. Jazz your content up with text overlays, stickers, questions of the day, and account mentions. It’s worth noting, these features are nowhere near as advanced as Instagram Stories’ — which boasts the options of polls, quizzes, GIFs, and so on. We recommend getting your hands on Unfold, an app where you can create stylish templates for Stories, to make up for the lack of advanced features on LinkedIn.
Want to know who you’re reaching? You can view the insights of your Stories for up to 24 hours after posting. Easy as pie.
INCORPORATING STORIES INTO YOUR SOCIAL STRATEGY
LinkedIn is the Facebook of the business world. On an otherwise professional platform, Stories allow you to share casual day to day snippets, creating stronger, more personal relationships with your audience.
When shaping up your social strategy, you need to understand the audience you’re talking to and why you want to capture their attention. Ask yourself what they’re interested in and how you want them to engage with your social snippets.
FIVE LINKEDIN STORY IDEAS TO GET YOU STARTED
BRAND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Shout about business news and product launches on your Stories as well as your feed, and you’re more likely to stand out and get noticed.
DAY IN THE LIFE SNIPPETS
Show transparency by inviting your audience into a day of your working life. This is a great way to spark up a conversation with your connections.
TEAM TAKEOVERS
Get your whole team involved with creating stories — offer professional advice, share specialist tips, and show what you’re getting up to in the office (or at home, for that matter).
BRAND Q&A
By hosting a Q&A session on LinkedIn Stories, you can showcase the people behind your brand and let your audience get to know you on a whole new level.
Top tip: Announce your Q&A way in advance and encourage people to ask you questions in the DMs.
REAL-TIME EVENT UPDATES
What better way to give your audience the low-down than filling your Stories with live events updates?! We have a feeling this will prove particularly popular with awards ceremonies.
TO WRAP THINGS UP
We’re not sure whether or not LinkedIn Stories will grow to be as popular as Instagram and Facebook’s versions, however that doesn’t mean the feature should be slept on. We’ll definitely be giving it a whiz on our page.