Which LinkedIn Groups Should I Join
The company you keep can help you soar to new heights or new lows. After all, the sayings iron sharpens iron, and bad company corrupts good morals were coined for a reason. On LinkedIn, more than your network, your groups are a clear indicator of the company you prefer and prudence would demand that you carefully consider the groups to join.
If you are a marketer, for instance, joining the right groups can increase your client base. If looking to extend your professional network, well-chosen groups can help you connect with accomplished professionals who can open up new opportunities. If you are looking for a job, you may come across a recruiter in a focused group.
In short, by joining the right groups, you can better propel your LinkedIn agenda. Below are some of the groups you should join as well as how you can determine the perfect groups for your cause.
Define your goals
Start by defining your LinkedIn agenda. This way, you will be able to prioritize considering LinkedIn allows you to join a maximum of 50 groups. Let your blueprint for group selection be determined by your primary LinkedIn purpose. Whether sales, sourcing for leads, getting a job, recruiting, etc.
Volunteering and philanthropy groups
If volunteering is one of the pillars of your profile, back up your claim by joining relevant groups. It will seem unconvincing if you claim to love and practice philanthropy and volunteerism, without being a member of any such group. Go for localized groups that are best aligned with your volunteering and philanthropy interests.
Join alumni groups
By joining former school groups, you will remain in sync with the professional lives of former schoolmates and you can capitalize on their professional progress to unlock new opportunities. Furthermore, participating in alumni groups lends your schooling more credibility.
Do the same for former company groups but exercise caution by first determining the minimum working period that would justify joining such a group. If you worked there for a month, or a couple of months, you would be better off connecting individually with the people you closely interacted with, rather than joining the firm’s group and feeling like an outsider.
Join hobby groups
Communing with people with a similar orientation is refreshing. It is a good way to expand your network considering that it is significantly easier to interact with someone you share interests with. Prioritize joining local hobby groups to increase the chances of physically meeting group members.
Join a motivational group
No one is immune to the need for motivation every once in a while, and it is not a wonder, then, that the motivational industry is a multi-billion-dollar sector. Look for groups that can uplift you when you are low on morale. The members should be respected professionals who you can readily give a listening ear. You can join one industry focused motivational group and several other divergent ones to gain out-of-the-box perspectives and insights.
Fitness and healthy living
A happy and healthy existence comes down to your knowledge on the subject matter. If you have a reliable source of actionable information, you can continually improve your standards and work towards a more fulfilling life.
Therefore, join a healthy-living group as well as a fitness group. The more expert studded the groups, the better. If an expert yourself, do not hesitate to share useful knowledge and initiate constructive discussions that can equip others.
Only join active groups
Some groups may seem really focused and suited to your goals, but if they do not have substantial activity, you would be better off with less focused groups with higher activity. Join groups with a high number of members and discussions to increase your exposure and widen your net of potential contacts without compromising much on targeting.
Start your group
If you have been searching for a particular type of group in vain, consider starting your own. With a stroke of luck, you could have a big, focused audience at your disposal. You may be the main content contributor for a while before the group gains momentum. In light of this, be sure that to focus on a subject you love and know intimately to have an easier time creating content and catalyzing meaningful discussions.
Group etiquette
Once you join a group, take time to learn the dynamics before you start contributing. It would also be a good idea to introduce yourself – especially in highly focused professional groups. If you want to make sales, be very tactful with your approach. LinkedIn users are averse to hard selling and direct sales pitches.
As frequently as you update your profile, assess the value the groups you are in actualize. Do not hesitate to leave groups that add little to no value to your LinkedIn vision. For more on LinkedIn and other insights on digital matters, explore bitgale.com.