If you are on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, chances are that you have a profile on LinkedIn. But are you using it to its full potential? If we were betting people, we’d bet that you are probably aren’t (but not for a lack of trying!).
One of the most under-utilized tools of LinkedIn is LinkedIn Groups. Have you heard of them? Are you using them? If you answered “no”, check out the scoop below!
What is a LinkedIn Group?
Think of LinkedIn Groups like an online club. It’s a “place for professionals in the same industry or with similar interests, to share content, find answers, post and view jobs, make business contacts, and establish themselves as industry experts.”
What can I get out of joining a LinkedIn Group?
You can benefit greatly from LinkedIn Groups. Check out our 3 E’s:
- Exposure: Exposure, exposure, exposure! We can’t say it enough. When you are posting on your personal LinkedIn feed, the content is typically only getting seen by your followers. But post that same post in a group, and you can reach thousands of users in mere seconds.
- Education: Information is shared like crazy in LinkedIn Groups. Wanting to learn more about marketing? There are hundreds of groups and thousands, upon thousands of articles being shared on that very subject.
- Engagement: Do you have a question that you’d like to ask your fellow peers?LinkedIn Groups grant you access to your very own creative hub. Identify challenges you are having, and invite your fellow members to provide insight and brainstorm possible solutions. Members are typically happy to share insight, as it gains them exposure.
How do I join a LinkedIn group?
LinkedIn will recommend several groups from the get-go. You will notice that the recommended groups align with your job, your industry, and the pages that you follow. If you are looking to step outside your industry, check out the LinkedIn Group Directory. This directory has every single group organized alphabetically! Search away! It’s important to note that you have to request to join a group. Group approval is all dependent on the group admin, so be prepared for a little bit of lag time.
What types of content should be posted in LinkedIn Groups?
Groups are a place for discussion and sharing. Shy away from selling your services on these groups (unless that’s what the group is for) – and instead, share relevant information in your industry. This can be an article, a blog post (like this one!), or just asking a simple question and polling your fellow group members. The more you begin to pop up in the group, the more likely it is that you will gain connections.
Think you’ve got it? Give LinkedIn Groups a try! Once you’re all set up, comment below to let us know which groups you’ve joined!
Infuze 