Storytelling with Purpose: Elroy at LLC, Indonesia
- AICREATIVV
- Jul 18
- 3 min read
Out of all the paths Jang Elroy Anak Ramantan imagined taking, standing in front of researchers and policymakers in Indonesia wasn’t on the bingo card. But there he was, invited to speak at LLC, surrounded by individuals whose day-to-day lives revolved around policy, data, and academic insight.
“I felt honoured. Genuinely excited too,” he said. “It caught me off guard, really. I didn’t think someone like me—a content creator—would be called to speak in a space that formal. But they were looking for someone to help them connect—someone who could take complex ideas and turn them into stories people care about.”
And that’s exactly what Elroy did.
His session centered on the heart of content creation: storytelling. Not the surface-level, algorithm-chasing kind—but the type that drives empathy, sparks curiosity, and inspires people to act. He spoke about advocacy and why stories stick better than statements. He laid out the challenges content creators face when trying to deliver impact through platforms that favour speed and trends.
One of his main messages?
Content doesn’t become impactful just because it’s posted.
The real work lies in making it matter.
“The problem is, many people know storytelling is important—but only in theory,” Elroy explained. “It doesn’t always translate into practice. You can share content every day and still not move anyone. The gap between intention and impact? That’s where storytellers come in.”
To drive this home, Elroy ran a simple workshop. Each group was given a broad topic. They had to narrow it down, refine the angle, and find a specific emotional hook. What did they want the audience to feel? What reaction should come after the content was consumed?
“Insightful isn’t enough,” he told them. “If your story ends with just a nod and a scroll, did it really do what it needed to do? I wanted them to think beyond information. I wanted them to think about reaction. Action. Feeling.”
The exercise sparked thoughtful discussions—and revealed something unexpected. Many of the participants knew the theory of impactful storytelling. But putting it into action? That’s where the gaps showed.
It wasn’t that they didn’t care; it was that no one had really shown them how to tell stories that hit the heart and the head.
For Elroy, the experience was more than just a speaking gig—it was a reminder of how misunderstood content creation still is.
“People assume storytelling on social media is easy,” he said. “But it takes real effort to create something compelling enough to make someone stay. And even more effort to move them to do something about it.”
He reflected on how attention spans are shrinking, yet the need for meaningful stories is growing. That delicate balance between brevity and depth is what content creators today are constantly navigating. And that, he believes, is a craft worth honing.
When asked what advice he’d give to aspiring creators, Elroy smiled.
“Just start,” he said. “Whatever it is you want to express—say it. Represent it. Own it. And if you're afraid of being cringe? That cringe is probably standing between you and the person you’re meant to become.”
He shared how five years ago, he was just dancing on TikTok. It felt silly at first, but it unlocked something deeper—freedom in expression. That confidence eventually led him to the very stage he once never imagined being on.
“I was dancing online, now I’m teaching researchers how to communicate better,” he laughed. “I mean, if that doesn’t prove growth, I don’t know what does.”
And in classic Elroy Ramantan fashion, he wrapped up with a quote that’s now become part of his philosophy:
“Kill the cringe before the cringe kills you.”
A reminder that the best stories often begin where your comfort zone ends.
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