For many people who use online social networking, LinkedIn groups shine like a brass ring for the job seeker, the marketer and the collaborative entrepreneur. I belong to 48 groups (almost too many to manage for an introvert), participate in about 6 where I feel like I add value, and was even a co-manager of a group. In general I find these 6 help me attract referral partners, some clients and learn from others in areas I am excited to know more.
Being in a group is often like being in a hotel room and not being sure what city you are in. You join (check-in) and then find out discussions and further connections are on the decline (found out you are in the wrong city.) There are hundreds of thousands of LinkedIn groups, so when I do find the right place, I focus on making it mutually beneficial. If you either lead a LinkedIn group or might consider joining one, here are five ideas to help you keep that sex appeal fresh.
I just got a group invitation in my Inbox! The ones that pull me in quickly usually go something like, "Since we are connected here... I'm happy to invite you to my group and hope you will join." How comfortable to be in a group where I am already connected to someone who wants to move our relationship forward. Are you more likely to accept a group invitation if you know someone? Or does a pre-connection not matter so much? We're likely all different with this. But when you get that invitation, you know how it makes you feel and whether it makes sense to join or not.
What is the purpose of the group? Or do I even care if there is a purpose? For me a purpose is important. I want to have some idea of what we'll be engaging in. "It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is, what are we busy about?" Maybe Henry David Thoreau didn't have access to the world of technology we often take for granted today, but isn't he is right on point? There are a few groups I belong to local to my area. It's a disappointment when discussions don't get lively and no one seems to want to meet in person. What was an unspoken promise so often turns out to be a lie. I mean really, if you are working in the same city, doesn't meeting in person make sense? If you join a group without a purpose, but you already have so much of that overwhelm feeling, you could just end up being as busy as popcorn on a skillet.
Groups can help me build relationships beyond being just a connection with someone. If you are in a group you can take advantage to easily connect further with someone new. Let's say you like what someone has to say in a discussion with someone. Using the REPLY PRIVATELY can start communications with someone you would like to get to know better. I've often done this. It can lead to either Skype or telephone conversations.
Is there a discussion I can contribute to? Relevant comments in a group discussion, can add value, to the group and yourself. Now that's sex appeal. Often you can find yourself being the "most influential" in a relatively quiet group. There hasn't been a discussion in weeks? No; and group statistics confirm that. No new discussions and no new members in the last weeks - for a few months, often precedes the groups demise. I've seen many just pack up and go. Something could be wrong with the group purpose - people don't find fulfilling discussions, so why talk? Or maybe there is more silence than not. Or the leader isn't paying attention to steer the group back on track. So how does this corrupt connections? In the end, people - leave the group, the group shuts down and it leaves you more cautious next time.
The group manager invited me to connect at the same time as I got the invitation to join the group. This action can speak to at least two intentions: the leader is genuinely interested in one-to-one connections or they are buying your acceptance. Yes; there are likely other possible intentions. As it's often said, it's hard to tell whether it's the dog wagging its tail, or the tail wagging the dog. I've found the only way I know the real intention is after joining. That's when you can get to know the leader, or not.
There certainly are more considerations before you join a LinkedIn group for a mutual good. LinkedIn and their groups go together, like food and water, you need them both. It's a better experience when you've said "yes" to a group invitation when people share information, and help you meet others for whatever you want to meet them for - job, seeker, marketer, collaborative entrepreneur. But the truth for this introvert anyway, is it's a respectable experience when it leads to closer relationships with people.
What has been your experience with LinkedIn groups? Do you have any pet peeves? Or suggestions to make a group work?
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