Growing My Community Through Stories
The history of Our Blue Abode is discussed often on here. I think because my mission through it is constantly evolving. As a brief summary, I started Our Blue Abode to document our new home & the decor process. That turned into opening up about our story & soon found passion in encouraging others to do the same. I started in fear of showing myself - my appearance that is. Now, I couldn’t imagine the growth I have endured through showing up, the confidence gained & the friendships build from being truly myself.
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The encouragement I found through showing up on my stories is something I know others feel. I know that there are other people out there wanting more from their platforms. Whether it is promoting your business or striving for a creative community, I truly believe one of the only ways to do this is through Instagram stories.
Building the Confidence & Comfort to Video Yourself
I have said it before & I will say it again for the people in the back : My Instagram started because of the fear I had to show my face on social media. Shame & fear clouded my creative potential because I thought - no one wants to see who I am. That is not the important part… But oh boy was I so wrong.
Across the bat, finding comfort in standing front & center in your camera screen & starting to talk to yourself has to be one of the weirdest feelings ever. Can you find comfort in knowing you are not alone in this? Please do. It is so incredibly weird.
But it gets better.
In fact, it becomes addicting in a way. You start to be so comfortable doing it, that you find things in your day that you cannot wait but share it with your Insta-friends. It becomes so natural to pull your camera out & start chatting to essentially no body..
Why is Showing Up on Instagram Stories Important
Overcoming that uncomfortable hurdle is the first important step to an even more important practice. Growing your community & building relationships is the biggest pro to Instagram growth I could mention, & you do so by showing yourself off. When your friends see who you are, what your emotions hold, your mannerisms, they get to know you on a personal level. Something that social media made difficult up until this point.
There is a reason the accounts you love most are ones that show up on stories. You feel connected. You can hear their struggle & see their joys. These are aspects that any true friendship seeks & requires. These connections are what fuel your content creation & truly grow your account & I don’t mean in follower numbers. I mean in engagement & true authentic interest. You are opening your personality up for others to acknowledge & love. Showing your personality is the key to turning your online presence into an honest presence.
Using Your Story for Good
Being personal & authentic on your social media is the best way to connect with others, especially around your struggles. There is no greater encouragement than to form community around the hardships we go through. To walk along side each other & truly love one another. This is possible around the world, all thanks to social media. Take advantage of that. Use your story & your social media platform for good.
Since sharing on my stories more frequently, I have found so much goodness & confidence in sharing our growing story. I want to use that to help others. You too can become comfortable & use your platform to accomplish whatever it is you want your platform to represent.
Is showing up on stories something you want? You can do it. Let’s do it together.
