LinkedIn Networking Groups are a great thing – but not everybody knows all the ways they can be used effectively. I have been using them for several months now, so I thought I would share some of my expertise.
First of all, you need to understand that a LinkedIn Networking Group can be a business networking group, it can be a business executive networking group, it can be a marketing networking group, or any other kind of networking marketing group.
The purpose is to be a group of people who network together as a group that have something in common. While a few people do join a LinkedIn Group just to grow their network, many don’t like to receive the e-mails they get and will soon leave any group that doesn’t fit their needs.
I am a great believer in a large LinkedIn network, in fact my network is over 8,600,000 people, and LinkedIn Groups has significantly contributed to this.
Here are Five Ways to make LinkedIn Groups effective for you and there will be at least one LinkedIn Group you should join! I am particularly excited about the growth in the various Success Groups.
(Click on any of the LinkedIn Group links to instantly apply to join)
1. Create a LinkedIn Group to connect people with your hobby.
One of the problems of a large network is finding people in that network who have the same interests as you. The LinkedIn Search function is helpful, but a hobby may not always be on their profile. My favorite hobby is Marathon Running – and we runners travel to different cities – so connecting up lets a runner in one city have a local contact in another city to ask a question or two about a local marathon.
- Networking Marathoners Group – http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/25009/14D41334DC61
- Daf Yomi Group – http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/35623/6FEE83712F00
If you don’t know what Daf Yomi is this isn’t for you.
2. Create A LinkedIn Group To Tell People Stuff
I post questions on LinkedIn Answers for ideas about how people can become successful. I’ve received many answers and many compliments about the questions. So I created a group to tell people about the questions so that you have the opportunity to answer. LinkedIn Answers is a terrific way for you to share your expertise and promote your self. See my article on Promoting Yourself on LinkedIn here.
- Zale’s’ Success Stories http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/44441/6D2CAC1C623D
3. Create A LinkedIn Group To Connect People Who Are Local
Connecting people who want to find out about local events and who are on LinkedIn is helpful and an easy way to connect to people.
- Networking Canadians – http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/35559/32FB966FA0A4
- Networking Toronto – http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/35620/03F4D0353C9F
4. Create A LinkedIn Group About Something You Are Passionate About
I am passionate about helping people become successful. I teach and write about success all the time. It comes with my passion about finding common ground with people.
- Interfaith Networking http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/38130/2FCBA910D813
I have created a number of Success Groups.
- Success Through Balance is my view on how to have a successful life. http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/42538/48FA8850E586
- Networking For Success connects people who want to connect with others about Success http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/43111/6519C4612FF3
- Napoleon Hill Readers connects people excited by Napoleon Hill’s view of Success – http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/52319/2F252D178FA3
- Glazer-Kennedy Inner Circle Readers connects people excited by Glazer-Kennedy Marketing – http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/52377/3A105A4C60AA
5. Create a LinkedIn Group Related To A Professional Association
- CATA – 28,000 Canadians in High Tech, Biotech, CleanTech, and Manufacturing. (Canadian Advance Technology Alliance) – http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/37239/355A6C0EA4EF
Here are 5 ways to effectively manage your LinkedIn Groups!
- Use LinkedIn Groups to decide who to send invitations to.
I am always out of LinkedIn invitations, but I still want to continue to grow my network. When I do get more LinkedIn invitations, I send them to members of my LinkedIn Groups. I rarely get any “I don’t Know”s anymore, and the ones I get, I assume are from people who hit the button by accident. - Upload your LinkedIn network to each of your LinkedIn Groups.
So when your connections join up – they are already members, rather than having to ask for approval. This is useful unless the group is very restricted. - Create a website for the LinkedIn Group.
- Keep the e-mails down to a minimum for the LinkedIn Group members.
- Use your picture as the Logo for at least one LinkedIn Group.
Join one of my LinkedIn Groups and grow your network.
Click here to learn what one LinkedIn Invitation to Zale Tabakman is worth to you!
Click here to learn how 7 ways to generate revenue from you LinkedIn Social Network.
This article is part of the Marketing Yourself skills taught in Success Through Balance. You can read more about becoming successful through a balanced life here. You can read more about the Marketing Yourself skills here.
Zale
www.linkedin.com/in/ZaleTabakman
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Quick question from a complete novice to LinkedIn – if and when you have a moment! You refer to various groups and one holds some interest for me (Interfaiths, given my degree in Theology and belief in respect for all cultures and religions), but how does one find a list / archive of all the groups that exist to find the other ones that might be of interest?! Does one just have to look at other friends / contacts / linkedIn members to see what is out there or is there anywhere which allows one to search for e.g. Jazz, change management, life etc? If there is any easy way, please de let me know. With many thanks and best wishes, Eleanor
PS: Thanks also for all the tips which I will follow….but really just a 2 week old novice, only just beginning to realise the potential!
[There are a number of lists available - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LinkedInGroupsDirectory/join ]