Get ready, LinkedIn Stories are here!

Created in 2002 (years before Instagram and Facebook), LinkedIn was the OG social media platform.

Fast forward to 2020, LinkedIn now has around 25 million people seeking work, especially amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning more people are flocking to the platform than ever before.  So, it comes as no surprise that the popular job-hunting platform has recently launched LinkedIn Stories worldwide, giving companies and individuals the chance to publish photos and short video clips via the mobile app.

But, can this new feature compete with the likes of glamourous Instagram and family-friendly Facebook Stories?

Social media engagement data shows that Stories are how the next generation of users will communicate with each other and will soon become the preferred way to consume content. Now that’s not to say traditional posting will be replaced, but offering the Stories tool allows social users to diversify their handles and reach a wider audience.

What’s more, with over 500 million people watching Instagram Stories every day, and over one-third of those videos are business-related, it makes sense for the world’s largest professional social network to follow suit too, right?

We’ve covered the all-important details and the inside knowledge to keep you ahead of the curve:

What do LinkedIn Stories look like?

Even though the tool is very much like other social media Stories such as Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat, LinkedIn Stories enables brands and influences to reach out to members using photos and short 20-second video clips. Offering a more casual way to share news, insights and highlights.

All posts to Stories will only be available for a 24-hour window and users will have the ability to incorporate text, customised work stickers, mention other accounts and share a question of the day.

Viewers can also send a Story via direct message, making quick and casual conversations easier than ever before on the platform.

How do you create a LinkedIn Story?

If you want to post your first LinkedIn Story, follow our step-by-step guide below…

Should brands use LinkedIn Stories?

Brands across the globe have been quick to adopt and utilise Stories across the social media market. The fashion house, Christian Dior, was the first to take the plunge on LinkedIn, showcasing the behind the scenes of Paris Fashion Week back in September.

Whilst other users have relished the chance to use the new feature to provide valuable insights into the “making of” new products and even hosting audience Q&As.

But it doesn’t have to end there, here are some content ideas for your LinkedIn Stories!

• Share a behind-the-scenes video from a professional event.
• Give a sneak peek into an upcoming product or service within your business.
• Share some interesting updates or stats within your industry.
• Create a graphic to announce you have posted a new LinkedIn article.
• Post a short video weighing in on some changes or news in your industry.
• Share useful tips and tricks within your industry.

LinkedIn’s Senior Director of Product Management, Pete Davies, shared that the format will be great for encouraging more conversations on the platform, saying “Last year, we started asking ourselves what Stories might look like in a professional context”.

“Sometimes, we want a way to just make a connection, have a laugh with our colleagues and move on.”

LinkedIn’s switch to Stories is just another example of how far social media has evolved since the dawn of Facebook and Instagram. Stories are now the new norm, with users often preferring to express themselves in the moment rather than posting to their feed.

This has been reflected in recent studies with Fohr, where it was found that influencers are now posting to their feeds a third less than they did in 2016.

But before jumping on the story bandwagon, it’s worth considering who you’re talking to and why you want to capture their attention.

Understanding the audience you’re talking to, what they’re interested in and what you want to achieve will help to shape your content and keep you on track for success!

Why wait? Create your first LinkedIn Story right now and get ahead of the pack! 

Have you tried LinkedIn Stories yet?

For more helpful hints and tips check out the rest of our blogs