We’ve shared why your B2B company should be on social media and how to use Twitter in previous blog posts. This week we’ll be discussing LinkedIn – a popular social network for professionals to showcase their work history and network with colleagues and peers – and how individuals who work in a B2B setting can leverage LinkedIn to network via LinkedIn Groups. Dive into this blog to get a LinkedIn 101 guide.
Why Use LinkedIn Groups?
Groups are a great way to establish yourself as a knowledgeable thought leader in your industry and offer opportunities to engage with other influencers and potential clients. Sharing industry- and company-related content with your connections and fellow group members is a good way to spark initial conversations in Groups.
Additionally, if you are planning on attending a conference or tradeshow, do a little research to find relevant Groups that are tied to the event and join the Group to network with other attendees and let them know you’re going. Ask others what they are most excited about, and if your company is exhibiting, let fellow group members know why they should visit your booth.
Engaging in LinkedIn Groups
Here are some steps you can follow to join a Group:
- When logged in to your LinkedIn account, navigate to LinkedIn Groups or use the search bar to search by interest.
- In the Groups page, you can see what Groups you are currently in or discover new ones.
- When you find a Group you are interested in joining, click the “Request to Join” button to request approval from the administrator to join the group.
Once you’re approved, you are ready to start commenting and participating in Group discussions. Try and participate in group discussions regularly even if it’s only for a couple minutes a day. Ask questions and provide insights and feedback in the comments sections of other group members’ posts. Share links to valuable content (i.e. industry news, blog posts, white papers, etc.) to promote your organization and show fellow group members your knowledge in the space you work in. And of course, don’t forget to invite others to connect with you!
Additional Social Media Engagement Tips
Keep the following items in mind when engaging in social media:
- Before engaging, make sure you have complete profiles on Twitter and LinkedIn. Include your company name and relevant keywords in the bio/description section to make it easier for users to find you.
- Share articles and resources from your favorite blogs and news sources to your audience and provide insights to spark conversations.
- Live tweet (or post real-time updates) during panels, discussions, and keynote presentations using hashtags to make it easier for your tweets to be followed.
- After networking events, invite individuals you met to connect with you on LinkedIn or Twitter to grow your follower base. You can also send a friendly message if they follow you back.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our blog posts on the basics of Twitter and LinkedIn and leveraging these tools for your B2B organization. Remember, the purpose of social media is to be social, so don’t be afraid to provide insights, share content, and ask questions to your audience.
Tune in next week for more marketing strategies and advice on Launch’s B2B Marketing Blog. Have any social media tips or tricks that we missed? Leave them in the comment section below!
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