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Join LinkedIn Group Target Market, Not Your Competition

Try joining groups where you might actually interact with your target audience, not just your competition.  I know you’re thinking “duh”, but seriously… it’s surprising how often marketers instinctively and exclusively join groups dominated by their competition. Accountants, for example should surely join a few major accounting groups to legitimize, share ideas, and make themselves visible to seekers of accounting service. But this is a “needle in the haystack” strategy.

A better and admittedly harder strategy is joining complementary groups where prospects discuss their own business issues. I’m not saying it’s easy. The LinkedIn Group administrator must “accept” you as a member. You’ll stand a way better chance if you have a decent blog with good content that helps the LinkedIn Group members advance their business goals.

Be Picky

Don’t go overboard and apply to a million LinkedIn Groups. It’s obviously spammy and very tough to keep up a meaningful membership. Examine and balance the subject matter, maturity, membership size and legitimacy. Quality over quantity is smarter.

Educate and Explore…Don’t Advertise

Don’t pose questions like: “Do you need accounting services?” You’ll be better off picking important subjects for a LinkedIn discussion. Be insightful about a current business challenge as a topic. Try engaging the members into real conversations.

Build Real Relationships – Use LinkedIn Groups

Don’t be shy about transferring digital relationships to old fashioned personal relationships. Events are a great way to “meet-up” with familiar folks in your LinkedIn Groups, especially if you’ve had a LinkedIn interaction. And, subject to old fashioned judgment, etiquette and culture…feel free to ask for introductions to folks you can help in your LinkedIn Group.