LinkedIn is a social media site for professional networking. It's useful for connecting to other businesses and professionals, but it can also be used to build a stronger link with your customers and it certainly helps you to get in touch with new ones. LinkedIn Groups is a feature that provides an opportunity create this type of customer connection.
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.
Being Part of the Group to Gather Advice
Getting sound tips from others is one of the most helpful and being part of many can prove to even be more helpful. Through joining several groups, you will be able to know many things, some are advantageous and some are not. You will see how everything goes and it will give you a better idea on how to do things for your own group.
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.
Set aside some time each day to monitor the group. Starting it is just the first step. You'll need to be present not just to delete inappropriate posts but also to give it a personal touch.
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.
Lastly, do share your articles, information and press releases with your own group. Make it something like, do you have newly released and cute plush that can be used for the holidays? Make a press release and share the news to your groups. You will be surprised at how this one act can boost your business potential.
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.
Being Part of the Group to Gather Advice
Getting sound tips from others is one of the most helpful and being part of many can prove to even be more helpful. Through joining several groups, you will be able to know many things, some are advantageous and some are not. You will see how everything goes and it will give you a better idea on how to do things for your own group.
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.
Set aside some time each day to monitor the group. Starting it is just the first step. You'll need to be present not just to delete inappropriate posts but also to give it a personal touch.
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.
Lastly, do share your articles, information and press releases with your own group. Make it something like, do you have newly released and cute plush that can be used for the holidays? Make a press release and share the news to your groups. You will be surprised at how this one act can boost your business potential.
About the Author:
Harness your business potential! Gather new customers with the Use of LinkedIn Groups. Build your Bear Stuffing Business and see it grow tremendously with this approach.
No comments:
Post a Comment