9 Storytelling Tactics to Win on LinkedIn (From Diana Nguyen)

Most consultants and experts post on LinkedIn, but not everyone knows how to tell stories that actually stick. That’s where storytelling comes in.

Diana Nguyen —comedian, storyteller, and founder of The Launch Off — has tested every content style on LinkedIn. She shared her favorite storytelling tactics in our TTV community, packed with examples that make storytelling easy (and fun).

The big takeaway? Stories aren’t about selling — they’re about creating connection, and LinkedIn works best when you show up as yourself.

Here’s how you can use her approach to stand out.

1. Start with Food (It’s Instantly Relatable)

Her favorite icebreaker? “What’s your favorite ice cream?”

Everyone has an answer, and suddenly you’re talking about something human, not corporate.

Example: One member shared how, as a kid, they only ate the chocolate part of Neapolitan ice cream and shoved the rest back in the fridge. That single detail can become a story about habits and process.

👉 On LinkedIn: open with a simple, universal question. It builds quick trust.

📒 Create a LinkedIn post on an everyday moment like food (Use this content template)

2. Turn Nostalgia into Business Lessons

Nostalgia catches people off guard. A childhood memory, a first job story, even a family quirk can connect more than stats ever will.

Diana showed how ice cream stories can link to business takeaways (e.g., “I’ve always liked specific processes”).

👉 On LinkedIn: pick a personal memory → show what it taught you → tie it back to your expertise.

3. Pick an Emoji as Your “Candy”

Diana is known as “Dancing Diana” 💃. People tag her with that emoji, and it’s become shorthand for her personal brand.

Other examples:

• String’s fried chicken 🍗 (yes, even food works)
• A sunflower 🌻 to represent joy
• A pig 🐷 for her trademark snorting laugh
• A member chose 🍄

👉 On LinkedIn: choose one or two emojis that represent you. Use them consistently in posts and comments. They’ll stick in people’s minds.

4. Reintroduce Yourself Every 3–6 Months

Audiences grow, change, and forget. Diana suggests posting a fresh “Hi, this is who I am and what I do” update every few months.

She recommends ending with a personal detail—like your go-to dessert or hobby—because that’s the piece people actually remember.

👉 On LinkedIn: don’t assume everyone knows you. Reintroduce, add one personal twist, and remind people why you’re here.

Here’s a post on how to re-introduce yourself here. We also include a template to get you started.

5. Share Joy as Often as You Share Business

Diana’s ratio: two business posts → one joy post.

Her joy posts? Dancing, holidays, fitness, and funny family moments. They balance the serious stuff and keep her brand human.

Example: She once posted about taking her mum to Japan for her 70th birthday. It wasn’t “marketing,” but thousands related to the joy (and chaos) of travelling with parents.

👉 On LinkedIn: share a joyful slice of life. It connects faster than a sales pitch.

6. Share Your Identity Story

Diana often writes about being Vietnamese Australian, and what it’s like straddling two cultures. Those posts connect her to people with similar journeys—and open up global opportunities (like paid gigs in Vietnam).

👉 On LinkedIn: talk about where you come from, how it shaped you, or what identity means in your work. That vulnerability attracts the right people.

7. Tell Stories About People You Meet

A simple networking post works wonders. Take a selfie with someone, write a few lines about them, and share why they matter.

Diana points out it’s personal without being “too personal”—and it shows your credibility by association.

👉 On LinkedIn: when you meet someone, turn it into a post. You’re sharing your community with your community.

8. Be Brave With Vulnerability

Some of Diana’s most impactful posts have been about freezing her eggs, talking openly about maternity leave as a solopreneur, and sharing her mental health journey.

These posts weren’t about oversharing—they were about starting conversations that mattered.

👉 On LinkedIn: share processed stories (ones you’ve already worked through). They build trust, not cringe.

9. Let Storytelling Open Doors

Storytelling has taken Diana from LinkedIn posts to TEDx talks, brand campaigns, and global gigs. It wasn’t because she pitched hard—it was because her stories resonated.

👉 On LinkedIn: treat every post as a chance to connect. The opportunities often come later, in your DMs.

Key Takeaway about Storytelling

Effective storytelling blends three things: relatability, vulnerability, and consistency.

Share the small details (your “ice cream” story), open up when it feels right (your identity or challenges), and do it regularly so your audience remembers you.

Storytelling isn’t about performance—it’s about showing up as yourself and letting others see themselves in your story.

✅ Your Challenge This Week:

FAQ on Storytelling on LinkedIn

❓ Is storytelling good for LinkedIn marketing?

Yes — LinkedIn storytelling is one of the most effective ways to grow your presence. Stories build emotional connection, make your expertise memorable, and spark conversations that lead to clients.

❓ How do you use storytelling on LinkedIn?

To use storytelling on LinkedIn, start with real experiences — client wins, lessons from mistakes, or everyday observations. Structure each post with a clear beginning, middle, and takeaway. The goal isn’t performance, it’s to stay human and consistent so your audience relates and responds.

❓ What are examples of LinkedIn storytelling posts?

Great LinkedIn storytelling posts often sound personal yet carry a business lesson. For example:

• A mistake you made that taught you a better process.
• A client challenge that shows your expertise in action.
• A personal hobby or family story that ties back to resilience, leadership, or creativity.

❓ Why does storytelling work on LinkedIn?

Storytelling works on LinkedIn because people don’t log in looking for ads — they log in looking for people they trust. Stories cut through jargon, make you approachable, and turn attention into genuine engagement.