Everyone has a story. And blogging and social media are great ways to share yours. But as you do so, remember it’s not all about you.

This is the main lesson I took away from Y’all Connect Presented by Alabama Power, a digital conference for corporate storytelling held in Birmingham, Ala., last week.

In his opening keynote communications expert Ike Pigott told attendees that we must remember the role we play in the stories of our readers.

“Figure out what your place in their story is,” he said.

Speaker, author, and brand strategist Erika Napoletano of the popular blog Redhead Writing is known for being raw and real and encouraged Y’all Connect attendees to do the same.

“Your willingness to tell your story is the most powerful thing you have,” Napoletano said.

But the stories you tell, she added, should honor you and your readers. Invite your readers into your story. Find ways to interact with your readers and give them opportunities to help you tell your story and chances to share their own.

One of the best ways to show your social media followers that you don’t think it’s all about you is to, well, make sure your social media shares aren’t all about you! WordPress designer and front-end developer Mitch Canter, who also spoke at Y’all Connect, reminded us that social media marketing expert Chris Brogan has a rule that for every 10 things he shares via social media, only one will be of self-promotion.

Canter recommends that we think of ourselves as content curators. For example, if you’re a niche blogger don’t send out dozens of tweets and Facebook status updates each day promoting your blog posts. Instead share interesting, entertaining, and compelling articles and information related to your niche.

Soon you’ll evolve from content curator to content leader.

 What’s your social media strategy?

For more Y’all Connect reflections check out the See Jane Write Birmingham blog for the post, What Writers and Bloggers Can Learn from Taylor Swift.