How to Use LinkedIn Stories for Business

LinkedIn Stories. Maybe you've seen them. They're LinkedIn's way of doing short, visual updates. Think quick videos or images that disappear after 24 hours.

What are LinkedIn Stories and Why Use Them?

LinkedIn Stories are at the top of the feed. This means more eyes on your content. Unlike normal posts, Stories are more casual. You can show off your brand's personality! I've found it's a great way to build trust.

Why should your business use them? Here's the lowdown:

• More views: Stories are right there. People see them!
• Better interaction: Stories disappear fast. This makes people want to see them now.
• Build your brand: Show your company culture. Talk about your values. Share what you know!
• Get leads: Add links to your website. Promote your events. Get people clicking!
• Be a leader: Share your thoughts. Talk about industry news. Show you're an expert!
• Make a connection: Be real. Share what happens behind the scenes. People connect with people!

Making a LinkedIn Stories Plan

Before you start posting, make a plan. This will keep you on track. It will also help you create content that people actually want to see. Trust me, it's worth it!

1. What are Your Goals?

What do you want to get from LinkedIn Stories? More people to know your brand? More leads? More website visits? More happy employees?

Here are some goal examples:

• Get 20% more people to know your brand in 3 months.
• Get 50 leads per month through Stories.
• Get 1000 website visits per week from Stories.
• Make employees 15% more engaged in 2 months.

2. Who are You Trying to Reach?

Who do you want to see your Stories? Knowing who they are is key! Think about what they like. Think about their problems. Then, make Stories just for them.

Think about these things:

• What industry are they in?
• What's their job title?
• How big is their company?
• Where are they located?
• What skills do they have?
• What are they interested in?

3. Content Ideas

What will you share in your Stories? Get creative! Mix it up. Be informative. Be fun. Be personal.

Here are some content theme examples:

• Share industry news.
• Share company updates.
• Show what happens behind the scenes.
• Spotlight your employees.
• Share customer stories.
• Give tips and advice.
• Cover events.
• Run polls and quizzes.

4. When to Post

How often should you post? Be consistent. That's what matters. Try different schedules. See what works for your audience. Don't post too much, though!

Some posting tips:

• Start with 2-3 Stories per day.
• Check your LinkedIn Stories stats. Change your schedule if needed.
• Post when your audience is online.
• Plan your Stories in advance.

Making Stories People Want to Watch

Want great LinkedIn Stories content? Make visuals that grab attention. Tell stories that keep people watching.

1. Good Visuals are a Must

Use good photos and videos. Make sure they look professional. Use your brand's colors. I recently invested in a better camera, and it made a huge difference!

2. Short and Sweet is Best

Stories are quick. Get to the point fast. Be clear. Be interesting.

3. Add Text and Graphics

Use text, captions, and graphics. They make your Stories look better. They highlight important stuff.

4. Use LinkedIn's Tools

LinkedIn has polls, quizzes, and question stickers. Use them! They boost LinkedIn Stories engagement. You can also learn a lot from your audience.

5. Tell a Story

Make a story that unfolds across several Stories. Start strong. Build suspense. End with a call to action.

6. Be Real

Be yourself. Share real experiences. Spotlight your employees. Let your brand's personality shine. People love seeing the human side of things.

7. Tell People What to Do

What do you want people to do after watching your Story? Visit your website? Download something? Contact you? Tell them! Add a swipe-up link.

What to Post? Some Examples

Need ideas? Here are some things you can share on LinkedIn Stories:

• Share industry news. Add your thoughts.
• Announce a new product. Show off its features.
• Promote an event. Get people to sign up.
• Run a poll. Ask for opinions.
• Share a customer success story.
• Introduce a team member.
• Offer a quick tip.
• Run a Q&A session.

Checking Your LinkedIn Stories Numbers

Want to know what's working? Check your LinkedIn Stories stats! LinkedIn gives you numbers to track your performance.

What Numbers Matter?

• Views: How many people saw your Story.
• Completion Rate: How many people watched the whole Story.
• CTR: How many people clicked on your call to action.
• Reach: How many different people saw your Story.
• Impressions: How many times your Story was shown.

Look at the Data

What do the numbers tell you? What kind of Stories do best? What calls to action get the most clicks? Use this information to make your Stories even better. I do this every week!

Tips for checking your stats:

• Check your stats regularly.
• Compare your results over time.
• Try different things. See what works.
• Pay attention to your completion rate. If people are dropping off, your content might not be engaging.

Getting More People to Interact

Want more LinkedIn Stories engagement? Here are some tips:

1. Ask Questions

Ask your audience questions. Use the question sticker. Encourage them to send you messages.

2. Run Polls and Quizzes

These are fun and easy ways to get feedback. Plus, you can learn a lot about your audience!

3. Tag People

Tag people and companies in your Stories. This gets more eyes on your content. They might even share it!

4. Respond to Messages

Respond to comments and messages. This shows you care. It shows you value their opinions.

5. Give Incentives

Offer discounts. Offer free stuff. Offer early access. Give people a reason to engage.

6. Run Contests

Host contests. Give away prizes. Ask people to like, comment, or share your Stories to enter.

In Conclusion

LinkedIn Stories are powerful. They can help you connect with people. They can help you build your brand. They can even help you get leads.