“There is a desire for these stories and a desire to engage with them,” says co-author and Upworthy Head of Content and Innovation Gabriel Reilich. They note the pandemic, in particular, highlighted humankind\u2019s need for glimmers of hope and joy. \u201cThere is a lot of good happening. But, if all you’re exposed to is the opposite, it starts to color your perception of the world. It can influence how you interact with people.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reilich and fellow author and Upworthy vice president Lucia Knell spent years researching and compiling this collection of uplifting stories. The duo has learned a thing or two about finding and sharing tales of positivity. Both through the book-writing process and their decade working with the Upworthy brand. We sat down to hear their story and their tips for finding and sharing your own good news, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Craving the positive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Upworthy came about in 2012, largely through Facebook, which helped its positive stories reach the masses. \u201cWe drew people to stories that were rooted in ideas around empathy, inclusion, and creating a better world,\u201d says Knell. \u201cWe sort of skyrocketed from there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Upworthy has still found not just an interest in, but a need<\/em> for, its stories. Even though the social media landscape looks entirely different today. \u201cAs algorithms suppress different publishers, the engagement [largely] hasn\u2019t changed for us,\u201d Knell says. \u201cIt\u2019s become an essential part of people\u2019s day-to-day, and we get comments and messages all the time with people saying, \u2018thank you for existing, please keep going.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, Upworthy reaches over 100 million people per month with its curated stories that share \u201cthe best of humanity with the world,\u201d according to the brand\u2019s Instagram profile. It\u2019s a direct counter to the influx of negative news stories that increasingly fill our newsfeeds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n “From an engagement standpoint, it’s a lot easier to stoke feelings of anxiety, anger, and divisiveness through fear-based headlines or content that stirs up tension,” says Knell. This leads to combative and angry dialogue and, ultimately, feelings like hopelessness and anxiety. “I think from a mental health standpoint, this has a destructive effect on our ability to keep going, especially during moments of crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The idea isn\u2019t to pretend the bad isn\u2019t<\/em> happening, says Reilich. \u201cWe don\u2019t advocate for burying your head in the sand, but we do believe that you are more likely to make a positive difference in the world if you\u2019re coming from a place where you believe there is decency out there, that people are good, and that there\u2019s something worth fighting for.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n While Upworthy\u2019s social media accounts draw serious engagement, Knell and Reilich did share one frustration\u2014a frustration that ultimately led to their new book. \u201cWe noticed that people were being super open in the comments section, but with the nature of social media, the [comments] were just swept away,\u201d says Knell. \u201cAlgorithms are designed to keep us moving.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s when the pair had an idea. They posed questions about positive interactions\u2014for example: what\u2019s the kindest thing a stranger ever did for you?\u2014then sifted through the thousands of responses. \u201cWe picked out 101 comments that we wanted to know more about, and [got] in contact with people through direct messages,\u201d Knell says, noting that almost 99% of respondents weren\u2019t just OK with\u2014but excited about\u2014sharing their story. \u201cThose interviews ended up turning into these beautiful short stories that make up the book.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n These tales from around the world don\u2019t have to be grand or monumental in nature. \u201cIt\u2019s often about someone who did something nice in a personal, grounded way,\u201d says Reilich. \u201cWe thought they deserved to be preserved forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The entire process of preparing this book, which has received early praise from celebrities like Jennifer Garner and Kristen Bell, took roughly two years. \u201cWhat\u2019s special about this book is that it was a collaboration,\u201d says Knell. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t just myself and Gabe. It was a collaboration with every single human being in this audience.\u201d Knell notes that she and Reilich went back and forth with sources regularly to get the stories just right. \u201cBeing able to read these stories again and again makes me feel better about humanity,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Upworthy has proven, positive stories can help you stand out from the pack. Opportunities abound for telling these uplifting stories, too, from documentary-style photo posts on Instagram (think: Humans of New York<\/a>) to longer-form films<\/a> or short videos on TikTok. But how do you find these stories in the first place? Ask your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAsk things that trigger a specific memory recall, and frame that in a way that invites people to reflect on moments that changed their lives or people that changed their lives in a good way,\u201d Reilich says, noting their team asks questions like: \u201c\u2019 Who\u2019s that teacher who changed your life for the better? What\u2019s a time somebody helped you when you were at your lowest? What\u2019s an interaction that you had with a young person that made you think the future is in good hands?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asking these targeted questions helps your audience think back on their own life experiences. \u201cPeople are excited to share their stories,\u201d says Knell. \u201cWe see folks answering, then we\u2019ll see other people in the audience starting to answer to those stories. It creates this beautiful ripple effect of community in the comments section. People are more open than you think.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, whether you\u2019re a documentary filmmaker, photojournalist, or writer, you have a responsibility to treat each story with care. \u201cThat was one of the most important things to us and the development of this book,\u201d says Reilich. Because they opened up in a \u201creally significant way,\u201d Reilich and Knell ensured each participant had a say in the final outcome. That meant asking questions to confirm clarifying details. Also, listening and taking into account their privacy concerns. As well as respecting their decision if they ultimately choose not to share publicly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf [they] don’t feel good about it, then we’re not going to share it because it’s important that these stories come from a place of empowerment,” Reilich says. “Ultimately, these are their stories, and they’re choosing to share with us and the world\u2014they need to feel good about that every step of the way.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you feel awkward or nervous asking people to share their backgrounds, consider the good this storytelling could do for them. \u201cWe\u2019ve gotten feedback from folks we interviewed who shared things like, ‘I’m crying; you helped me to articulate this in a way I never would have imagined,'” Knell says. “Treat this with the respect you would a journal entry.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n To elevate your photography on social media, consider going beyond a quick-hit caption or generic quote. Instead, turn to the story<\/a>. \u201cThere\u2019s the old adage that a picture\u2019s worth 1,000 words, and a lot of the time that\u2019s true, but there are also times in which a picture invites<\/em> 1,000 words,\u201d says Reilich. \u201cIf you look around your room, so many things have stories. It\u2019s not just people who have stories; objects have stories, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider going deeper with your content to share these personal reflections alongside your imagery. Take readers into the scene. Perhaps it\u2019s sharing an anecdote they don\u2019t see in the photo. Or maybe a deep dive into how you pulled the shot together or what you were feeling at the moment. \u201cIt\u2019s an opportunity to invite people into the world of whatever that photo is,\u201d says Reilich.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you need some storytelling inspiration, Good People: Stories From the Best of Humanity<\/em><\/a> has not one, but 101<\/em> heartfelt examples. From humorous memories to emotional rollercoasters that showcase both the human experience and the resilience of the human spirit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Good People: Stories From the Best of Humanity will be published on Sept. 3, 2024, and is available for pre-order now.<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\nSourcing 101 positive stories<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Book](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Book-Cover-761x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFinding and sharing your own positive stories<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Use Care and Respect<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Share Positive Stories to Bring Your Art to Life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n