Grow More Customers By Using LinkedIn Groups

By Barbara Heathers


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.

Through LinkedIn , an online forum or a group can be created among members. The group, just like the forum talks about a topic that is familiar with the clients. This would mean they can talk about anything especially the products and services but this would not just be limited on these particular ones.

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.

Do your best to manage and prevent spamming. Try to monitor the discussions carefully. If in case you have discovered some violations, delete their posts and give them a warning. If they do not stop, remove them from the group.

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.

Be on the lead in recruiting new members. Look for LinkedIn profiles of people who may be able to find your group important. Make it more warm, friendly and personalized.

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.




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