If you do not already know, the Inbound Marketing gives great place for social media in regards to generating leads. In this regard, B2B (‘’business to business’’), the most relevant media and most promising is obviously LinkedIn. But did you know that you can get even more LinkedIn? Indeed, having a LinkedIn group you would have a golden opportunity to reach and engage your potential customers and therefore likely to generate more leads.
I present you, in this article, how to create a LinkedIn group, and, using three practical steps.
Step 1: Complete the group creation form
First, to get to create a group, you need to go to the main menu LinkedIn and choose "Interests" and then select "Groups". Once on the groups page, you will see in the right menu "Create a Group". It was then, this call to action that you must click.
Create a LinkedIn group
Once this is done, you will have to complete the group creation form. Here is a list of what will be required (please note that the fields with an asterisk are required):
Logo: Make it "fit" in the standard format requested. Do not try to put too much text or difficult to read the text. Just go and make sure it has the right size! You would not want it to be vague and does not represent what you want let show through with it.
I present you, in this article, how to create a LinkedIn group, and, using three practical steps.
Step 1: Complete the group creation form
First, to get to create a group, you need to go to the main menu LinkedIn and choose "Interests" and then select "Groups". Once on the groups page, you will see in the right menu "Create a Group". It was then, this call to action that you must click.
Create a LinkedIn group
Once this is done, you will have to complete the group creation form. Here is a list of what will be required (please note that the fields with an asterisk are required):
Logo: Make it "fit" in the standard format requested. Do not try to put too much text or difficult to read the text. Just go and make sure it has the right size! You would not want it to be vague and does not represent what you want let show through with it.
The name of your group *: Your name is important! You will need to find or the most searched keywords on LinkedIn by your personas, and in order to know how to name your group. Once you have done this research, make sure that your name is clear, not complicated and that includes the searched keywords for your target.
The group type *: Create a group for your industry and not for your company! People will be more likely to want to be members of a group where they can exchange ideas with peers and where they can find relevant content for them. They will not join a group focused on a company where there are only fans of it. You will have a choice of options including:
Group of alumni,
Business group
Congress Group,
Network animation group
Non-profit organization,
Professional group,
Other
A summary *: This is a brief introduction where you could present your group and its goals. This summary will be in the groups directory in which it is important to be.
* A description: This is here for the complete description of your group that will appear on it.
A website
The email address of the owner of the group *
The access type *: You can choose between two types of access which are explained on the page is:
self membership
membership application
language
place
Twitter ad
* Commitment: Do you agree to the terms and conditions?
Finally, before submitting the duly filled form and thus create your group, you must choose to either create "an open group" or "group members only."
Here is the difference between the two:
Open group
You must be a member to join the LinkedIn group.
Threads created and shared publications are publicly visible and can appear on search engines.
Discussions can be shared on other networks such as Twitter and Facebook.
The group's growth is faster since you'll have more discussion, more members and thus more lead generation opportunities.
Members Only Group
A padlock will appear next to your group name.
You must be a member to join the LinkedIn group.
Discussions will never appear on search engines.
Discussions are visible only to group members.
Discussions can not be shared on other social media.
The group owner has the option to change his group to an open group.
This type of group is always slightly fewer than open groups, but the discussion may be more relevant as the group manager can choose to accept or not a member. There will be, most likely, less SPAM.
Step 2: Manage your newly created group
When you create a group, you have to do some management before going to invite a multitude of contacts. To do this, you can access the management options in the tab "Manage" which is the name of your group.
Option-manage
Once in your group management module, a multitude of actions can be made. It may be that all the options are different depending on whether you choose an open or a group for members. For the purposes of this article, I created a group for members. So discover together some of these options!
Manage the preferences of your group
You will in this section several choices available to you are: Choose your features discussions and news, as can be seen in this image:
Select the permissions you give to the members:
Authorizations
Choose restrictions on members, as can be, once again:
Restrictions
Choose the type of membership through which members will have to pass:
select or change the language of the group and the place if it is relevant to your group:
change, if any, the group owner's email address:
Add or change information on the group
Several elements can be added, as they were not required when you filled out the group creation form. On the other hand, he may want to change elements that you have already registered, then it is here that you will do it.
Download logos and images: The logo that will appear on your page and logo that will appear in the directory groups are very important because they represent a new group. They will be the desired format. You will also need to add a cover image, and that in order to have a group that does not seem abandoned or inactive, somewhat in the same way as Facebook and Twitter.
Change your group name, group type, your resume, your description or your website: Note that the name of your group can be changed up to 20 times only.
Add the group rules
Rules are important in a group or forum, and in order to manage it and minimize spam and self-promotion. You can put it that should not be tolerated as well as examples of what is interesting to share.
Manage message templates
You might decide to send automatic messages to your members, and this, depending on the type of membership you choose. For example, you could send a message of welcome to all new members.
Create subgroups
You can create sub-groups, if you wish and if it is relevant to your group. For example, Linked Québec offers several sub-groups of the type: Sales and Marketing, Human Resources, etc.
Manage your members
You may at any time remove or block a member, but also change the role and permission to it.
Manage your membership applications, your contributions and awaiting moderation
When you create a LinkedIn group, you have the choice to manage everything. So if you have a group of members, you can decide which ones you want to add or not. You can approve or not the contributions of members waiting. You can, at this level, whether you want to classify them in Discussions, Advertisements or Post. Finally, you can also manage the moderation pending. If, for example, there has been a report on a content to you to judge whether it is spam or not.
Add content to not have an inactive group
Nobody wants to invite contacts to become a member of an inactive group where there is no content. This is why you need as the creator of the group to go add discussions, news or even industry jobs. The more you add relevant content, the more you will have opportunities to interact with and among your members and your group will be of value in the eyes of these. Moreover, you can, at any time, pin a discussion or content at the top of your group to bring it forward.
Interact continually in your group
Try to establish yourself as a leader in your group, as a person representing a company (director, for example) and not as a company. Engage in discussions, answer the various issues and relevant publications like the group. Show that you can be a resource for all members in need.
Moreover, being continually aware of what is said in the comments and questions, you will be able to find new ideas for content and therefore inspire you to the same source, either from your target. What a fantastic idea! After all, questions arise that your personas are the topics that interest them most.
Step 3: Promote your band
Who says creating a group, says it has to be experienced to meet with success! To do this, several actions can be asked. Let me introduce you to a few!
Invite your colleagues, former colleagues and customers
Who would want to join a group that still has no members and no interaction? Well, colleagues, former colleagues and current customers could be those who agree to join you first. So send them an invitation asking them to begin discussions and share relevant content related to the industry. In this way, your group will have a good start.
Make it the promotion on all your channels
It is true that your group should not be created to put forward your company, but the content on the industry, but you can still promote it on your various web communication channels whatsoever , your website, your blog, newsletter or your presence on social media. Explain that a new group exists, it puts forward such content and how to become a member!
Invite influencers
Feel free to invite influencers in your industry to come help your group and share with the members! If your group is relevant to them, I do not see why they would not agree to take a look and, perhaps, contribute.
Create other social presences your group
Why not create a Facebook page or Twitter for your group? This is a great way to promote it. Indeed, creating a Facebook page, for example, you can invite fans to join the group on LinkedIn, and vice versa.
Integrate LinkedIn into your marketing efforts
And if you integrate LinkedIn your marketing efforts? It can be beneficial for you to talk about other than on social media. For example, if you participate or if you give a conference or webinar, invite members of this event to join this new group of the most interesting for them, as it relates to topics in the industry.
In short, it is not so complicated to create a LinkedIn group. In addition, there is a very good way to reach and engage your personas. In addition, they most likely will go on your blog or your website since you will have shared them, for example, your blog articles that discuss industry topics. What could happen if they are on your website? Well, it's simple, they could become very interesting prospects.
The group type *: Create a group for your industry and not for your company! People will be more likely to want to be members of a group where they can exchange ideas with peers and where they can find relevant content for them. They will not join a group focused on a company where there are only fans of it. You will have a choice of options including:
Group of alumni,
Business group
Congress Group,
Network animation group
Non-profit organization,
Professional group,
Other
A summary *: This is a brief introduction where you could present your group and its goals. This summary will be in the groups directory in which it is important to be.
* A description: This is here for the complete description of your group that will appear on it.
A website
The email address of the owner of the group *
The access type *: You can choose between two types of access which are explained on the page is:
self membership
membership application
language
place
Twitter ad
* Commitment: Do you agree to the terms and conditions?
Finally, before submitting the duly filled form and thus create your group, you must choose to either create "an open group" or "group members only."
Here is the difference between the two:
Open group
You must be a member to join the LinkedIn group.
Threads created and shared publications are publicly visible and can appear on search engines.
Discussions can be shared on other networks such as Twitter and Facebook.
The group's growth is faster since you'll have more discussion, more members and thus more lead generation opportunities.
Members Only Group
A padlock will appear next to your group name.
You must be a member to join the LinkedIn group.
Discussions will never appear on search engines.
Discussions are visible only to group members.
Discussions can not be shared on other social media.
The group owner has the option to change his group to an open group.
This type of group is always slightly fewer than open groups, but the discussion may be more relevant as the group manager can choose to accept or not a member. There will be, most likely, less SPAM.
Step 2: Manage your newly created group
When you create a group, you have to do some management before going to invite a multitude of contacts. To do this, you can access the management options in the tab "Manage" which is the name of your group.
Option-manage
Once in your group management module, a multitude of actions can be made. It may be that all the options are different depending on whether you choose an open or a group for members. For the purposes of this article, I created a group for members. So discover together some of these options!
Manage the preferences of your group
You will in this section several choices available to you are: Choose your features discussions and news, as can be seen in this image:
Select the permissions you give to the members:
Authorizations
Choose restrictions on members, as can be, once again:
Restrictions
Choose the type of membership through which members will have to pass:
select or change the language of the group and the place if it is relevant to your group:
change, if any, the group owner's email address:
Add or change information on the group
Several elements can be added, as they were not required when you filled out the group creation form. On the other hand, he may want to change elements that you have already registered, then it is here that you will do it.
Download logos and images: The logo that will appear on your page and logo that will appear in the directory groups are very important because they represent a new group. They will be the desired format. You will also need to add a cover image, and that in order to have a group that does not seem abandoned or inactive, somewhat in the same way as Facebook and Twitter.
Change your group name, group type, your resume, your description or your website: Note that the name of your group can be changed up to 20 times only.
Add the group rules
Rules are important in a group or forum, and in order to manage it and minimize spam and self-promotion. You can put it that should not be tolerated as well as examples of what is interesting to share.
Manage message templates
You might decide to send automatic messages to your members, and this, depending on the type of membership you choose. For example, you could send a message of welcome to all new members.
Create subgroups
You can create sub-groups, if you wish and if it is relevant to your group. For example, Linked Québec offers several sub-groups of the type: Sales and Marketing, Human Resources, etc.
Manage your members
You may at any time remove or block a member, but also change the role and permission to it.
Manage your membership applications, your contributions and awaiting moderation
When you create a LinkedIn group, you have the choice to manage everything. So if you have a group of members, you can decide which ones you want to add or not. You can approve or not the contributions of members waiting. You can, at this level, whether you want to classify them in Discussions, Advertisements or Post. Finally, you can also manage the moderation pending. If, for example, there has been a report on a content to you to judge whether it is spam or not.
Add content to not have an inactive group
Nobody wants to invite contacts to become a member of an inactive group where there is no content. This is why you need as the creator of the group to go add discussions, news or even industry jobs. The more you add relevant content, the more you will have opportunities to interact with and among your members and your group will be of value in the eyes of these. Moreover, you can, at any time, pin a discussion or content at the top of your group to bring it forward.
Interact continually in your group
Try to establish yourself as a leader in your group, as a person representing a company (director, for example) and not as a company. Engage in discussions, answer the various issues and relevant publications like the group. Show that you can be a resource for all members in need.
Moreover, being continually aware of what is said in the comments and questions, you will be able to find new ideas for content and therefore inspire you to the same source, either from your target. What a fantastic idea! After all, questions arise that your personas are the topics that interest them most.
Step 3: Promote your band
Who says creating a group, says it has to be experienced to meet with success! To do this, several actions can be asked. Let me introduce you to a few!
Invite your colleagues, former colleagues and customers
Who would want to join a group that still has no members and no interaction? Well, colleagues, former colleagues and current customers could be those who agree to join you first. So send them an invitation asking them to begin discussions and share relevant content related to the industry. In this way, your group will have a good start.
Make it the promotion on all your channels
It is true that your group should not be created to put forward your company, but the content on the industry, but you can still promote it on your various web communication channels whatsoever , your website, your blog, newsletter or your presence on social media. Explain that a new group exists, it puts forward such content and how to become a member!
Invite influencers
Feel free to invite influencers in your industry to come help your group and share with the members! If your group is relevant to them, I do not see why they would not agree to take a look and, perhaps, contribute.
Create other social presences your group
Why not create a Facebook page or Twitter for your group? This is a great way to promote it. Indeed, creating a Facebook page, for example, you can invite fans to join the group on LinkedIn, and vice versa.
Integrate LinkedIn into your marketing efforts
And if you integrate LinkedIn your marketing efforts? It can be beneficial for you to talk about other than on social media. For example, if you participate or if you give a conference or webinar, invite members of this event to join this new group of the most interesting for them, as it relates to topics in the industry.
In short, it is not so complicated to create a LinkedIn group. In addition, there is a very good way to reach and engage your personas. In addition, they most likely will go on your blog or your website since you will have shared them, for example, your blog articles that discuss industry topics. What could happen if they are on your website? Well, it's simple, they could become very interesting prospects.
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