Everybody is in love with stories. They have been. Stories instruct us in history. They connect people beyond geography and time. And if there is anything that is locally owned, out of your own city, your own road, your own kinfolks, that touches that far more. But to present these accounts these days, you require one thing: followers.
Followers promote your popularity. They put your story into perspective for other individuals. They like, share, and comment on your story. As a matter of fact, your humble story can go very far. It can cover the entire world.
How to Make Stories Work Online
You don’t have to be a historian to attract followers. You don’t have to write purple prose. You just have to tell the story using plain, simple language.
Begin where you’re interested. Begin each entry in one sentence. Keep it concise. Apply an image that makes an impression. And simple language. Write as you would to your friend.
- Instead of: “It is an 1870 building that has been an indispensable trade…”
- Say: “Here, since 1870, weekly the fruits that the farmers brought. There, people assembled, chattered, and heard the news.”
Free words. Alternate thoughts. Real moments.
Use Good Images
A photo can tell the entire story. You can present old pics if you have them. Better yet, present the same place today. Everybody prefers to present before-and-after pics. It lets them see the strength of time.
You can also insert short footage. Display old things. Zoom. Insert music. Insert subtitles. Even a mundane clip can revive what is otherwise a boring story.
Keep It Regular
One update is never enough. You have to keep posting and posting. But not everything and not every day. (Perhaps 3 or 4 times a week you can post.) This is what makes you appear busy. It is also justification for people to follow.
Why not serially? As, for example:
- “Old Places, New Faces”: present the same locality 100 years ago and today.
- “What Is This?”: show an object and ask your fans what you have.
- “This Week in History”: give us a quick fact that happened that week, ages ago.
Such planning makes people realize what is ahead. They follow you because they want to hear what is ahead of the time they are experiencing.
Use Simple Captions
Captions count, no matter if you are a photographer or an influencer. They set forth the story of the photograph. Keep these concise, however. Two or three-sentence statements suffice. Make your first sentence great. This is what people read as they scan.
“This house survived 200 years. It had experienced war, marriage, and winter storms. Today, nothing remains but stone steps.” That is all you need. Easy. Graphical. Sentimental.
Ask People to Share
Everyone adores sharing memories. Just ask them. In your follow-up post, don’t forget to include something like:
- “Did you remember that place?”
- “Did your family ever have one of these?”
- “How is that tale of your city?”
They’re going to comment. And when they do, other people have viewed your post. It makes your profile expand.
Select the Right Platform
They are unique, each of them.
- Instagram is worth using for pictures and mini-videos.
- Facebook is superior for longer articles and commentary.
- TikTok is suitable for short, entertaining videos that include music.
- Twitter (X) is most suitable for bite-sized content or threads of quotes.
Begin on one or two platforms. Don’t attempt to cover all of those platforms simultaneously. Duplicate content but change its presentation for each environment.
Interact with Others
You don’t have to do that alone. There are other pages, museums, and history buffs out there. Find them. Follow them. Comment on what they’re posting. Even reference them when you’re posting something relevant.
You can even collaborate. For example, create collaborative content. Conduct an interview. Post another page image and tell why that is relevant. With every link, your fans gain speed.
Check What Works
Monitor your posts. Which of your posts gets the most likes? Which users save/share? What time of day do people respond most? You don’t need special gear. You only need to look into your post’s insights. You’ll recognize patterns as time passes. Use that when posting better content.
If they enjoy antique maps, they need to put more maps out there. If they have wartime histories, search for more. Involve your followers.
Why Followers Matter
They’re fans, but they’re not statistics. They’re individuals who would like to hear history. They preserve the story. They can send you pictures, inject narratives, or blank out the page.
And also, the more people who follow you, the more credibility you have. Someone is going to take your page seriously, maybe even museums or media.
Keep the Heart
Don’t seek out likes. Don’t follow individuals for the sake of growth. Stick to the story. Stick to being honest. Stick to being human. Even if your page is sparse initially, that is okay. Any tale that is shared is an added spark of hope in the darkness.