One of the most useful features of LinkedIn is LinkedIn Groups. If used to its fullest extent, it can serve as a powerful tool to help build your business. 

There are quite a few communities to get involved with, from smaller groups such as Finance & Accountancy Professionals UK  with around 7,000 members, all the way up to huge communities, such as the Finance Club with over 900,000 members. You can pick and choose as you please as you can join up to 100 different groups, allowing you to spread your influence far and wide utilising this digital platform. 

But what are the main benefits of joining such digital communities? 

Finding new customers and prospects

Identifying groups with members who might be prospective clients or influencers within your sector is a great way to generate more interest around your firm, especially if you become an active member of that community and provide them with valuable insights and content. Posting articles, how-to’s, guides and blog posts that feature subjects relevant to the group is an effective way of promoting your services in a natural and organic way. 

Networking

Groups enable you to network with other like minded professionals and business owners. They enable you to engage in conversations and networking quickly and efficiently. Though some prefer to network in person and by utilising the LinkedIn Groups feature you can participate in visible conversations that will enable you to make more connections. 

Thought leadership

Many groups have ongoing discussions taking place within them. These discussions can be an excellent opportunity for you to show your value to your peers and help to shape conversations within your market. It’s also a good way to generate more profile views and increase your visibility within your sector. 

Recruit new hires

When looking for new employees you can communicate that within your group. If a member is not right for the position, they may know someone who is. It allows you to target the right individuals for recruitment, and can help you find the right applicants for the position.

Testimonials and reviews

LinkedIn company pages allow businesses to list their services so that other LinkedIn users can recommend them to their networks. You can even use LinkedIn Groups to send group announcements linking your firm’s page, encouraging them to recommend your services. You can then do as you wish with these testimonials, you might want to display them on your website or even in marketing materials. 

Market research

Joining a LinkedIn group whose members represent your market and posing a question is a great (and free) way to conduct research. Though we advise you are not too sales focused when you pose your question. LinkedIn Groups allow you to create free polls with up to five answers. For example a financial adviser might ask what sort of advice potential clients might be most inclined to seek out when looking for financial guidance. 

For more information on how to get the most out of LinkedIn, we have a series of quick and handy guides to help enhance your digital presence and grow your business. Find out more here. 

Yorkshire Building Society has worked together with growth marketing agency, ClientsFirst, to supply this content. We hope it helps you grow your core business and you have found it of interest. Please ensure that if you apply any of these tips to your YBS agency that you comply with the specific marketing guidelines which can be found in the YBS ‘Working Together’ Agency Operations Manual.