LinkedIn is one of the social media sites that is utilized for professional networking. Its main purpose is to connect professionals and businesses but it can also be used to strengthen your ties with customers and it can surely make new ones. It is in this customer connection premise that LinkedIn Group is most useful.
A group is basically an online forum that you can join or create and manage through LinkedIn. Like a forum, it should be about a topic that's of concern to your customers. It shouldn't necessarily be about your business or products unless that's what they're discussing.
Joining Groups to Get Ideas
One of the best ways to get ideas for your group is to join several and see how they work. You'll discover things you like and don't like, and you can use this to create your own group. You'll see how they work from inside and also find ways to make your group unique. Once you've set up your group, start by brainstorming topics your customers care about. If possible, base your group topic around challenges they face or areas where they need help and your expertise would help them.
Create the group through your LinkedIn profile. The name should be self-explanatory and tell potential members quickly what it's about. You can choose whether to make it an Open or Closed group. A Closed group is a private one where members can join only through a direct link.
Spamming and Self-Promoting
Establish clear guidelines for your group. Make it a place for interaction among like-minded people, not a place for promoting and spamming. Unfortunately, many people join LinkedIn Groups only to promote their website or business. In your guidelines, warn that this isn't allowed.
Actively manage your group to prevent spamming. Check in at least once daily to monitor the discussions going on. If someone violates your guidelines, delete their post and send them a warning. If they continue to spam the group, kick them out of it.
Another way to manage this is to create a sub-group for promotions. Those who want to promote their site or business can do so here instead of in the main forum.
LinkedIn Groups Best Practices
It's good to set up the group so that you must approve all new members. This is another measure that will cut down on spammers. Send each new member that is accepted an email welcoming them, telling them what the group is all about, and offering your contact information in case they need to get in touch with you.
Make sure to set a time to check on the group daily. This is the basic step. Your presence is very important in providing a personal touch and making certain that insignificant posts are removed accordingly.
Communicate with group members well and often. Be personable and positive. Start and lead discussions, and offer help anywhere that you can. Your friendliness as well as your expertise will make it a place people want to be.
Take an active role in getting new members. Search LinkedIn profiles for people who may benefit from your group and invite them. Make it a personalized invitation and not a canned message.
And, of course, there's nothing wrong with sharing your articles, info and press releases with your own group. Do you have some cute new plush coming out for the holidays? Do a press release and share it with your groups. You'll be amazed at how your business will grow.
A group is basically an online forum that you can join or create and manage through LinkedIn. Like a forum, it should be about a topic that's of concern to your customers. It shouldn't necessarily be about your business or products unless that's what they're discussing.
Joining Groups to Get Ideas
One of the best ways to get ideas for your group is to join several and see how they work. You'll discover things you like and don't like, and you can use this to create your own group. You'll see how they work from inside and also find ways to make your group unique. Once you've set up your group, start by brainstorming topics your customers care about. If possible, base your group topic around challenges they face or areas where they need help and your expertise would help them.
Create the group through your LinkedIn profile. The name should be self-explanatory and tell potential members quickly what it's about. You can choose whether to make it an Open or Closed group. A Closed group is a private one where members can join only through a direct link.
Spamming and Self-Promoting
Establish clear guidelines for your group. Make it a place for interaction among like-minded people, not a place for promoting and spamming. Unfortunately, many people join LinkedIn Groups only to promote their website or business. In your guidelines, warn that this isn't allowed.
Actively manage your group to prevent spamming. Check in at least once daily to monitor the discussions going on. If someone violates your guidelines, delete their post and send them a warning. If they continue to spam the group, kick them out of it.
Another way to manage this is to create a sub-group for promotions. Those who want to promote their site or business can do so here instead of in the main forum.
LinkedIn Groups Best Practices
It's good to set up the group so that you must approve all new members. This is another measure that will cut down on spammers. Send each new member that is accepted an email welcoming them, telling them what the group is all about, and offering your contact information in case they need to get in touch with you.
Make sure to set a time to check on the group daily. This is the basic step. Your presence is very important in providing a personal touch and making certain that insignificant posts are removed accordingly.
Communicate with group members well and often. Be personable and positive. Start and lead discussions, and offer help anywhere that you can. Your friendliness as well as your expertise will make it a place people want to be.
Take an active role in getting new members. Search LinkedIn profiles for people who may benefit from your group and invite them. Make it a personalized invitation and not a canned message.
And, of course, there's nothing wrong with sharing your articles, info and press releases with your own group. Do you have some cute new plush coming out for the holidays? Do a press release and share it with your groups. You'll be amazed at how your business will grow.
About the Author:
Marketing your business can be a tough job. With the properuse of LinkedIn Marketing, directing traffic to your site is quick and easy.
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