Page 199 - Social Media Marketing for Dummies

Participating in Groups

LinkedIn members sometimes overlook the value of joining groups. They focus on
one specific activity, such as finding a job, and forget that LinkedIn has the added
value of connecting them with second- and third-degree contacts (people who are
separated from you by one or two other people). The most powerful use of groups
is to find people who you would never have the chance to meet in person. Joining
a group they’re in makes the introduction easier.

Benefitting from joining groups

You have several choices about how you want to participate in groups. One option
is to join several groups right away to get introduced to those with similar
interests. If you prefer, you can join one group and see how you like it. You are
allowed to join a total of 50 groups. That sounds like a lot, but remember that you
may have several goals for joining. Some benefits of joining groups are

» Finding members with similar experiences: You can join a group of those
who have worked at the same company you have or are alumni of the
same school.
» Extending your knowledge of a company in which you are interested:
If you’re thinking about working for a particular company, you can find other
employees to connect with.

» Connecting with members who are interested in the same charitable
activities: Nonprofit and charitable groups are in abundance. You can find
like-minded members easily.
» Establishing yourself as an expert in your field: You can choose to take a
leadership role in a group or make your feelings known.

» Understanding the trends in your industry: You can stay informed about
important issues and developments.
» Determining who the industry leaders are: By virtue of their popularity and
activities, you can learn from industry leaders who are active.
» Connecting with and participating in discussions: You can do a lot of
consumer research in these groups if you take the time to read and listen.
» Finding partners for joint venture activities: If you’re looking for investors,
you may want to extend your feelers out in the group without having to give
away too much information.
» Discovering new clients: People who are impressed with your breadth of
knowledge on a topic can seek you out for consultation.

CHAPTER 11 Considering LinkedIn 183