Launch a LinkedIn Group to Engage With Prospects

by Kathy Bernard

Creating a LinkedIn group can be a smart way to attract potential customers. Here’s how:

- Log into LinkedIn, click the Work icon, select Groups, and then “Create a new group.”

- Follow the prompts to add your group name, banner image, logo, and group rules.

Choose a group name that will attract prospects, like “St. Louis Electrical Workers.”

- Post articles, videos, images, documents, questions, and news of interest to your group members.

- Invite potential customers to join your group by clicking the “Invite members” button and select relevant connections from your connections’ list (a default message will be sent). Or, send an engaging email to your prospect list and include the group’s link address (found in the browser window when you’re on the group page).

- Encourage group members to post articles, questions, and job postings, and to visit often to participate in discussions.

- Notify group members about a new post, by clicking the three dots in the top right corner of the post and selecting “Recommend this post.”

- Keep your group active by posting frequently, inviting additional people to join, starting discussion topics, and by managing requests to join from people who find your group organically.

Make your group the go-to place for valuable information mixed with a smattering of sales messaging and you might just find that the prospects in your group turn into real customers!

Kathy Bernard (kathy@wiseru.com), CEO of WiserU.com, is a St. Louis-based LinkedIn expert/trainer who equips businesses to maximize LinkedIn for sales, marketing, or fundraising.