Many of my LinkedIn coaching clients want to build new relationships with prospective clients. LinkedIn groups can help you do this. However, before you join any groups, you need to answer the following question – who is your customer? What is their industry, title or function, and where are they located?
For example, I recently searched LinkedIn groups to help me find marketing directors who work within the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector and live in London. I’ll use this target group as an example of how you can find the right groups for you.
1. Go to the Groups directory on LinkedIn field: “UK AND Marketing”. In the search results, tick the “Open groups” box. This means you will find groups that are open to all. If you see the lock icon on a group’s landing page, this means that you must ask to join the group and may not be allowed to join if you don’t meet their member criteria.
2. You will see a list of possible groups to join. Click on a group’s name and you will be taken to its landing page. You will see your photo and the “Start a Discussion” text box – don’t worry – you haven’t joined yet. 🙂
3. Have a look at the group’s statistics before joining. There is no point in joining a group that doesn’t include your target market. To view group statistics, scroll down the right column of the Group page, and click on the black “View Group Statistics” button. The group statistics will give you an idea of how active the group is, who is in it, and where they are based. Make sure you look at the demographics of the group in order to confirm that there are members at the right experience level and in the right industry, in my case, director level members within the FMCG sector who work in London.
4. If you find that the group is full of your target audience, join the group! If your target market is not in the group, then move on to the next group found in your search results until you find the right group for you. If you don’t find it, start a LinkedIn group yourself!
How do you find the right LinkedIn groups for you? I’m interested in hearing your own tips and suggestions.
