You might be asking the question, “Why do I want to start a group on LinkedIn?” The answer is simple.
Of all the social media networks online, LinkedIn is the most business-oriented and professional. This is not Facebook, where you’d see a steady stream of pictures of playful cats and angry babies.
The main focus of LinkedIn is business.
LinkedIn membership is over 550 Million. Business professionals come to LinkedIn to connect, network, and mingle.
As someone trying to grow your professional circle of influence, LinkedIn is one of the online locations where you definitely need a presence. LinkedIn allows you to join or create groups specific to an industry or topic.
Creating your own group gives you control over that little slice of LinkedIn. It also makes you instantly respectable as a market influence.
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To create a LinkedIn group (note: sometimes LinkedIn moves these options around without warning, so please forgive me if it’s changed!):
1. Move your cursor over “Work” (drop-down arrow) at the top right of your homepage and select “Groups.”
2. Click on the “Create Group” button that appears on the top right.
3. Fill in the requested information. A green asterisk means it’s required.
4. Set privacy to either Standard (visible in search results) or Unlisted (you have to invite members to join).
5. Click the “Create” button to create your group.
Once you have created your group, you need to start inviting relevant LinkedIn members. You, as well as anyone you set up as a group manager, can invite members to your group.
Here’s what you do.
1. Hover your cursor over “Work” at the top of your homepage, and select “Groups.”
2. Find your Group.
3. Click the “Manage group” option to the left of the group name.
4. Click on “Invite members”
5. Type in your connection’s first or last name and select them for the list that comes up.
6. Click “Invite”.
You can also copy your group URL and share it as an update in your feed or through LinkedIn Messages with 1st-degree connections.
If you use relevant keywords in your Group name and description, it’s more likely that your ideal member will find your Group and join it, without you having to invite specific people.
Or, try encouraging your group members to invite other people (only for public, Standard Groups).
According to a survey by Power Formula, 36% of LinkedIn users are members of between 1 and 9 LinkedIn Groups, which means there’s no shortage of potential members for yours.
Once you’ve launched your Group and added members, you’ll need to start sharing relevant content, solicit ideas and engagement from members, and moderate any comments.
Create your own industry-relevant group and manage it properly, and you will quickly be viewed as an industry influence on LinkedIn.
Want to learn more about how you can build your authority, take a look at our course, Beginner’s Guide: How to Become an Influencer.
