Why do I create on LinkedIn?

Pull up the SOCKS! And get set to CREATE CONVERSATIONS…when LinkedIn sent me the socks, I didn’t quite understand them.

7 weeks later, now I do…it wants me to succeed as I #CreateonLinkedIn

Simple…

So why do I create on LinkedIn? Just because the platform wants me to?

Nah…let me tell you my WHYs!

WHY #1: Finding an Audience

When I started off as a Storyteller, the biggest challenge was to have my voice heard. I am a Storyteller, Trainer, Consultant & Coach. I help people and organisations tell stories. How do I reach them? Through social media of course…

I work with schools, teachers, parents. I work with entrepreneurs and businesses. I work with not-for-profits and businesses. I work with students and professionals.

I am on LinkedIn because this is where my entire audience is! No where else have I such a big and captive audience. This is the ONLY platform that helps me connect with my audience organically. If you are reading my post today, you must know that I have NOT paid LinkedIn to be shown on your feed.

This is important, you need to know this as a content consumer.

This matters to me as a content creator. That’s why I create content on LinkedIn.

WHY #2: Conversation around Storytelling

I love CONTENT. Everything I do at Your Story Bag is anchored around content. From the stories I tell my clients, to the stories I create for them. To the training material I design, to the stories I help my clients tell. I am in the business of content.

And I am very proud of the content I produce!

But that’s my story…the way I look at it. It is perhaps not the same when I flip it the other side. That’s where the dilemma begins…

• Does my community know that I am here?
• Is my content reaching the right set of audience?
• Is my content helping my community?
• Does my audience care for my content?
• Do they even need my content?
• How can I get my voice heard?
• How can I help people tell their stories if they don’t know I am here to help?

When the LinkedIn Creator Accelerator Program came I was desperate to find answers to these questions. I felt I belonged to the #CreatorEconomy but I was nowhere close to the super ninjas on the content industry.

I applied knowing well that I may not be good enough for the program. So imagine my surprise when I got the selection email.

Well, the t-shirt came 2 sizes small...but as you can see, I fit myself in to tell you my story!

In the past 7 weeks, has my story changed? Yes…it has moved. I have just begun…I came here to begin conversations around Storytelling and find a new community of story-believers. Have I been able to do that…more on that soon!

WHY #3: Understanding social media!

I have begun to slowly form a social media strategy that is platform-centric. I am on other platforms too, but I am beginning to realise the need to have distinct-yet-aligned personas on each platform.

This is a BIG decision and a BIGGER gamble! I can fail in this, but my experience on LinkedIn so far has helped me take this plunge.

Will this mean I will be creating MORE content? You will have to find out...

WHY #4: Building a Community

Storytellers crave for a community! We are NOTHING without a bunch of listeners who will listen to us. But then listening is only one half of the exchange. I want my audience to tell their stories to. As a storyteller, I create content so someone else sees the magic and power in storytelling. Unless I get to that stage, my work is incomplete. As I see the conversations and connections grow, I am also happy to see that the community is interested in exploring the storyteller in them. Cha, Golpo & Adda is a space for Storytellers on LinkedIn.

Join Cha, Golpo & Adda, if you want a safe space to practice storytelling and leverage LinkedIn as a platform to share your experience, perspective, knowledge and wisdom through Stories.

WHY #5: Finding WORK!

I am an Entrepreneur. My clients pay me to deliver content OR help them create their own. There has always been the tough call of maintaining HOW MUCH of my expertise to give away for free. I agree, Your Story Bag LinkedIn Business Page has been somewhat of a step-child. It gets less visibility, and I landed up posting most of my business updates on my personal LinkedIn profile. Thanks to point number 3, I have now begun to understand how can I balance the two brands I manage - myself and my business.

In an effort to make Storytelling accessible to all, I have invested heavily in creating content that enables my audience to learn storytelling WITHOUT paying me a fee. I have created FREE Storytelling resources / courses ABC of Storytelling (for those working with children) & ABC of Storytelling 2.0 (for those telling stories in adult spaces, in business and work). This year, my #365Days365Stories is challenging me to keep creating more resources.

I asked some tough questions to myself (again!)….

• Is my content generating viewership?
• Have I been able to monetise content when no one is paying me?
• Have I been able to drive my content to create fresh work opportunities?

Being consistent on LinkedIn is now helping me answer these questions in an affirmation. There are new connections and conversations on in my inbox & so far there have been 3 Discovery Calls. I would have liked some more, but then, it's okay. I understand there are so many of you who are new to my community.

I am offering discovery calls all through the LICAP Program, so book one if you haven't already!

Should you create on LinkedIn? Yes, you should…share your voice, create a conversation.

Pull up your socks and get started today!

What should you create first? My tip - Go tell your story!

Some of my favourite content creators on the platform are:

Sumanoto Chattopadhyay (for showing me that there is space for niche content)

Anjali Sharma (for showing me what works on Storytelling and LinkedIn)

Ankur Warikoo (for showing me that there is a need in understanding your audience and creating different personas).

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Now it's your turn to join this conversation. Tell me,

1. Have you been following my content? What do you think about it?
2. What kind of Storytelling Content would you like me to create for you?
3. Who are the other Creators you follow on LinkedIn?
4. What help & support do you need to #CreateonLinkedIn ?

#Storytelling #StoryCoach #StorytellersonLinkedIn #LiCreatorAccelerator #StorytellingwithRituparna