You probably know by now that you can benefit from participating in LinkedIn groups, but how can you be sure your group activity isn’t just another social media time waster? Follow these strategies to find the best groups to keep you engaged with your industry and build relationships with prospects.
Choosing groups
There are a lot of LinkedIn groups out there, so you’ll need to do a little research to find the best ones for you. Spend some time reading articles and following posts, then check out what groups the writers are in.
You can also ask your customers which groups they participate in and where they like to engage with like-minded professionals. This can guide you to similar people who may become prospects.
A keyword search can also help you find relevant groups. Compile your research results into a list of groups that interest you, check them out, and then prioritize the ones you want to request to join.
Participating in groups
There are many ways to participate in groups: You can participate in discussions, send personal messages, or even start your own discussions. When you post, make sure you’re posting interesting, thought-provoking content that will engage others in the groups. Your contribution can be your original content or content from another source you find valuable.
Through participation like this, you can not only familiarize yourself with what potential leads and current clients are interested in but also establish yourself as a thought leader in your area of expertise.
Don’t jump to “sell” just yet — after you follow a group for a couple of days or weeks, you’ll likely find members you want to connect with based on their group activities. Through InMail, you can send personalized messages to one group member at a time. This is a proven way to start conversations with potential prospects.
It’s also important to keep yourself on schedule. Determine how much time you can contribute to LinkedIn groups and stick to it. Be organized and utilize your staff members’ social media expertise to develop an editorial calendar based on what each group is interested in.
It takes time and dedication to build relationships with prospective clients. Don’t fool yourself into thinking you can use LinkedIn groups effectively without concerted effort and a planned strategy. If you’re willing to dedicate the resources, LinkedIn groups can be a great way to connect with future customers.
[cta]Feeling bogged down by the thought of adding one more responsibility to your list? We can help find groups, build relevant content, and create specific strategies and tactics to help build your relationships. Contact me, Mark McIntosh, at 972-998-5132 or let’s talk: schedule a meeting with me at ScheduleACallWithMark.com.[/cta]
