Consider joining LinkedIn groups to grow your business. These free, online communities are a smart way to network with industry peers, decision-makers, and prospects. To find relevant groups to join, type a topic into the Search box and select Groups. Join St. Louis groups, field and industry groups, and groups of interest to your target audience. You can join up to 100 (20 at a time maximum). You may have to wait for group administrators to approve your requests to join. Access your joined groups later under the For Business tab.
Look to groups as a source for industry news, trends, and best practices. Some groups also host webinars and share resources to solve common problems. You can also use these communities to recruit talent, find mentors, and discover collaborators.
Most importantly, once you are in a group, you can look for the “Show all” link to view all members. Use the group search box to find members by first or last name and send up to 15 free messages to members each month. Unfortunately, you can’t sort members by company or title. To learn groups that your prospects are in, visit their profile, scroll to the bottom and under Interests, click Groups. Voila! You’ll know which groups to join!
By sharing insights, commenting on posts, and sending messages to group members—you can build credibility and increase your visibility. So, whether you’re looking to generate leads, build your brand, or stay informed, join and engage in LinkedIn groups!
Kathy Bernard (kathy@wiseru.com), CEO of WiserU.com, is a St. Louis-based LinkedIn consultant/trainer who equips businesses to maximize LinkedIn for sales, marketing, or fundraising.