Storytelling wins on LinkedIn: How stories build trust (and drive results).

People don't remember what you do. They remember your story.

In the age of endless scrolls and countless pitches, one thing stands out on LinkedIn: a good story.

Stories create connections.

Sharing a personal story, like how you overcame a challenge or helped a client, makes your audience see the human behind your profile.

They show, not tell.

Instead of saying “I’m a great problem-solver,” share an example of how you solved a tough problem. Stories are proof in action.

Trust is built through relatability.

When you share your journey (failures, wins, and lessons learned) you build credibility. People are more likely to trust (and hire) someone they feel they know.

Storytelling cuts through the noise.

With LinkedIn flooded by generic “hire me” posts, stories stand out. They grab attention and keep readers scrolling.

Steal my strategy:

Is storytelling hard? Yes of course it is. But there is a way to make it easier to build your personal brand. This is how I go about it.

List the topics you want to discuss (e.g., a project, results, current industry trend, service or product).

Ask yourself and answer the following questions:

• What does your full career journey look like? And pull it apart into different, shorter stories.

• What are your core values in your personal and career life?

• What is important to you?

• What are your past mistakes? Think about how they have shaped who you are today.

• What are your past successes?

These are the big questions. However, anything is a story if you really think about it.

Let's give some examples:

You're trying to sell a new product. How exactly does this solve the client's problem? Was there a time you had this problem, too? Or do you know someone who did? There's your story.

You want to share your recent success story about a client or project. Did you face any challenges during the work process? There's your story.

You brought a product and received terrible customer service? Do you think I would hate it if my clients received this kind of service? That's your story.

A client came to you after having a bad experience with another company? You help them overcome the problem? There's your story.

Do you want to showcase your experience? Tell your audience how you got to where you are today: the ups and the downs. There's your story.

There is a new trend that would fix a problem you had a few years back. There's your story.

Real life examples of storytelling:

A famous example of businesses who use storytelling, is of course, NIKE.

Nike’s campaigns often focus on personal triumphs rather than directly advertising their products. The "Just Do It" campaigns feature athletes overcoming adversity. For example, the story of Serena Williams’ journey to becoming one of the greatest tennis players ever.

Why it works: 

It taps into emotions, aligning the brand with perseverance and success.

Lego uses storytelling in campaigns like Lego Rebuild the World, featuring imaginative tales created by their users. They also highlight user-built projects through social media and competitions.

Why it works: It inspires creativity and creates a sense of community among fans, making them feel like co-creators.

People don't buy things, they buy a story.

Don't think you have any stories to tell? I don't believe you.

CEOs, business owners, and leaders have plenty of stories to tell. You don't realise that everything is a story. Or you may think that your stories aren't interesting. They are, maybe not to everyone. But I can guarantee you're helping or inspiring someone.

Storytelling doesn't mean never talking about your services; It means weaving them into an authentic narrative. Your audience will remember your story long after they've scrolled past a sales pitch.

Need help? Get in touch.