Tell Your Story

Reading “The last post” in the recent edition of Legion, the Royal British Legion magazine, it dawned on me that social media is really all about sharing your story. In the article I read an Army reservist used his PR skills to tell the folk back home what life was like on the front line. Through blogs, Facebook and YouTube, he with others, collaboratively painted a clear and more real picture of the everyday lives, thoughts and feelings of our troops. It really was that simple.

So why is it that so many people just don’t “get” social media? Millions of us are using it around the planet. Millions of us are having great online conversations. Millions of us are building effective networks and connections across the globe. And what are we all doing? We are telling our own story.

Take the current conflict in Afghanistan. Via the media we hear and see events almost daily, stories of attacks, injuries and the unfortunate tragedy of war – death. But what this army reservist has done is to take a real life situation and share it with a global audience. It’s believable, the stories shared are actually happening. The stories give the viewer a unique understanding or awareness of the highs and lows of military life in Afghanistan.

Even in the depths of battle with bullets ricocheting and dust flying, a bird’s-eye view of war is captured on film. It’s edited then transported around the world via the internet. It promotes people being able to connect together to find out more, to follow with interest, and to educate about the reality of the situation.

What lessons can be learned from this effective and successful use of social media on the front line?

* Share the story of your business – the highs and lows, the celebrations and learning curves

* Share your story in the moment – as it grows and evolves

* Share your story to build a positive following or group of fans (think potential clients) and create a network of business builders to help you achieve success

* Share your story to inspire, to celebrate your unique offering and to educate about the benefits of what your business is all about

“Not only is your story worth telling, but it can be told in words so painstakingly eloquent that it becomes a song.”

Gloria Naylor

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