LinkedIn Stories are coming to..well LinkedIn

Over the last few months LinkedIn has rolled out their new feature “LinkedIn Stories” this is very similar to Instagram and Facebook and Snapchat stories. So, there is no surprise LinkedIn is following in their footsteps.

I can already hear the cries “This is LinkedIn NOT Facebook” however LinkedIn needs to move with the future of the users who will adopt LinkedIn over the coming years. This may alienate their current userbase. Is it a risky move?

 So, what will this new feature allow you to do?

Mobile – It is created for the mobile community as with all “live” aspects. On the go, users are going to be the main driver. This will be great for events and real-time marketing, so as things happen. Currently, LinkedIn stories won’t be available on the desktop.

Content-Specific – By creating bespoke content for your audience your engagement, in turn, should increase. Short stories or posts with a specific content feel is becoming the norm and helps create more exposure to your brand.

Cross-Promotion – Engage with your key Influencers and Thought Leaders to help promote and further engage your audience. A great example of this might be a podcast or a live event.

Visibility – Keeping in line with their privacy function you will have the option to view other connections stories as Your Name & Headline / Private Profile title and company / Private Mode (Anonymous). Not sure why you would want to be anonymous but each to their own. It is about being social after all.

The Carousel as it is called will show in the top menu with a plus symbol over the top of your profile photo.

Simply click the plus symbol and upload a video or image along with any of the feature stickers, the text of your choice as well as tagging individuals or companies. Then just click Share Story. In a similar way to Instagram stories, you will be able to publish multiple stories.

LinkedIn has rolled this feature out to Australia, Brazil, the Netherlands and the UAE. They will be adding additional countries over the coming weeks.

If LinkedIn is looking to engage the more modern user then this can only be a good thing, however, will it clutter up our newsfeed who knows? I welcome this additional feature and keen to see how digital marketers will use it in their professional capacity.

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