How to Build an Audience of Die-Hard Fans on Linkedin

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Welcome back!

The other week, we shared some templates with you - templates to create good LinkedIn content.

However, ever since then, I've been receiving some DMs.

People are trying to use the templates and model their content after them.

But there's a limitation:

Either their content starts to look monotonous because they're only following templates…

Or they quickly find that the templates aren't getting them the engagement they would like.

The answer is simple.

The problem may be that you're not telling your story effectively.

And that leads us to what we're going to talk about today: a simple solution called the Hero's Journey.

We'll give you some prompts to master it.

Understanding the Hero's Journey

Before we dive in, let's take a moment to understand what the hero's journey is and why it's such a powerful tool for storytelling.

The hero's journey is a narrative framework that has been used in storytelling for thousands of years.

It's a simple but effective formula that follows a hero (your customer) as they:

1. Set out on a journey

2. Encounter challenges and obstacles

3. Ultimately triumph over adversity

The hero's journey is so powerful because it taps into universal themes and experiences that resonate with people on a deep level.

When you use this framework, you can turn your brand story into something that is both relatable and engaging.

By making your customer the hero, you are empowering them to improve their life/business.

How does this tie back to lead generation?

People buy from those they know, like, and trust.

Or more specifically…

People buy from people that they “trust” can help them towards their personal/business goals…

A well-executed brand story hits all three.

How to Find Your Hero Journey

Now that you understand the power of the hero's journey, it's time to start identifying your own journey.

At Cleverly, we’ve boiled it down to these…

4 Questions to Discover Your Journey

❓ What am I passionate about?

People think that on LinkedIn, you have to be formal and professional all the time.

However, that couldn't be further from the truth.

You can open up and share your interests and passions.

Sharing your passions can actually help you connect with others who share similar interests and values.

This is how meaningful partnerships are made.

Your passions can also help differentiate you from others in your field and make you a more memorable candidate or connection.

Consider adding your passions to your LinkedIn profile, either in your headline or summary section, and look for relevant groups or hashtags to join.

❓ Who is my target audience and how can I appeal to them?

Trying to appeal to everyone is not the best strategy for success.

By identifying a specific target audience and tailoring your messaging to their needs and interests…

You'll be more likely to attract meaningful connections and job opportunities.

Consider factors such as industry, job function, location, and demographics when defining your target audience.

Use LinkedIn's search and filtering tools to find and connect with individuals and groups that fit your target audience, and craft your content and messaging to specifically address their needs and pain points.

❓ What do I want to be known for in my industry?

Some people produce anything and everything.

Desperate to get attention, but it's the wrong kind of attention.

You want to focus on what you publish.

By positioning yourself as a thought leader in a specific area, you'll be more likely to stand out and be recognized for your unique perspective and expertise.

Your niche could be a specific:

• Skill

• Service

• Customer segment

• Industry trend

Use LinkedIn's platform to share your thoughts and knowledge on your chosen topic through posts, articles, and comments.

Engage with others who are interested in the same topic and look for opportunities to speak at events or contribute to industry publications.

❓ What is my career identity?

Your brand isn't defined by your job title.

It's defined by the unique value you or your business provides.

Defining your career identity can help you communicate your unique value proposition and differentiate yourself from others in your field.

Your career identity includes elements such as:

• Industry

• Values

• Personal brand

• Career goals

These four questions form the backbone of your LinkedIn brand.

Now... How do we turn this into our narrative?

How to Structure Your Narrative

Here's a simple framework to follow:

The Call to Adventure

The Call to Adventure is the turning point that sets your customer on their journey.

It's the moment that made them realize that they needed to pursue their goals and dreams.

It could be a life-changing event or a simple realization that they were meant for something more.

Whatever it is, this moment is crucial in shaping your story and setting the stage for everything that follows.

The Road of Trials

The Road of Trials is where you face obstacles and challenges on their journey.

It's the part of the story where they encounter setbacks and difficulties, and it's where they’re tested the most.

This is a crucial part of your story because it shows their resilience and perseverance, and it's what makes their story relatable to others.

The Road of Trials is where they overcome adversity and emerge stronger and more determined than ever before.

The Ultimate Boon

The Ultimate Boon is the moment of triumph where they achieve the ultimate goal.

It's the culmination of all their hard work and perseverance, and it's what makes the story so powerful.

Whatever it is, the Ultimate Boon is the moment that makes it all worth it.

Return with the Elixir

The Return with the Elixir is when they return home, transformed by the journey.

It's where you share the lessons, the boon, and the transformation.

If you're observant, it probably sounds like a lot of the content you read.

Now, how do we tangibly translate this into content?

Building an Audience of Die-Hard Fans: How to Use Your Story to Generate Leads

Now that you've crafted your narrative, it's time to start using it to generate leads.

Here are some tips to help you do that:

1. Use your story as a hook to get people interested in your content.

Start your posts with a brief summary of your story to draw people in.

2. Use your story to showcase your expertise.

Highlight the lessons you've learned and how they apply to your business.

See an actionable example from our very own, Bruce.

Use storytelling to build trust with your audience.

By sharing the journey, you show that you're a real person who can empathize with the audience, which helps to build trust (at scale).

Use the story to inspire action.

By using they hero journey story in your content, you can build a loyal following of die-hard fans who are eager to learn more about you and your business.

Start crafting your narrative today, and see how it can help you grow your business on LinkedIn.

Until next time, keep it clever!

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