LinkedIn groups create perfect mini-communities for professionals and businesses to connect. They're organic communities that thrive away from your main LinkedIn feed.
These groups let you tap into a community of people with similar interests and goals – and they can also help brands connect better with their audience, supplies, and sponsors.
Here's your guide to creating a booming LinkedIn group.
Understanding LinkedIn groups
Let's kick off by getting familiar with LinkedIn groups.
What are LinkedIn groups?
LinkedIn groups are spaces within LinkedIn that bring together brands and professionals with shared interests, industries, or goals. They act in the same way as Facebook groups or Reddit forums, but are mostly focused on business.
There are public groups, which are open to all LinkedIn users, and private groups, which require approval to join. Once the group status has been set, it cannot be changed.
Clear group rules help members know what content is acceptable and enforcing these rules is crucial for maintaining a spam-free environment, ultimately fostering constructive engagement within the group.
Members can start discussions, share articles, and ask questions to an audience that shares the same interests. In a way, this creates a far more targeted way of sharing opinions and updates.
Some groups are very active, with daily posts and interactions. Others may have less frequent activity but still provide a valuable resource.
Why join a LinkedIn group
There are many reasons why you’d join a group on LinkedIn, but for most people it’s about participating in a network. Your presence in a group can significantly boost your personal or business brand, plus you can learn a thing or two along the way.
Posting regularly about relevant topics on your personal LinkedIn profile can foster discussions and promote your LinkedIn group.
You might want to do this by sharing ideas and becoming a thought leader within the group. You may prefer to take a step back and watch the group, and make personal connections with those who do post.
Perhaps you want to moderate the group or create a new space that doesn’t have representation elsewhere on the platform.
Groups give you access to other people and brands, while offering learning opportunities too. You can learn from others’ experiences and get advice on challenges you’re facing. Some groups even host virtual events or webinars for members.
Finding and joining LinkedIn groups
Let's now take you through the steps to joining a group page. It all starts from your LinkedIn profile.
How to search for relevant groups
Log in to LinkedIn and click on the search bar at the top of the page – this is the same whether you’re on the website or the app. Type in keywords related to the type of group you plan to join – this is usually your industry, job role, or interests. You can also search for specific group names if you know them.
Click “Enter” and you’ll see a list of results, ranging from “People” and “Jobs” to “Posts”. To narrow down your options, tap the “Groups” filter. This will show you only group results. You can then tap Groups in the menu to access all related groups and sign up for groups by tapping their names directly.
The platform also suggests groups you might like, so look for the “Recommended Groups” section on your LinkedIn page. These suggestions are based on your profile and connections, and are usually a great way to join groups you might not have considered.
Evaluating group activity and engagement
Once you’ve found a group, it’s worth assessing it before jumping in. Look for group information, check its activity level, and member engagement.
Consider functionalities such as pinning important posts to the top of the group feed to facilitate member engagement and maintain quality discussions.
It’s important, too, to look at the quality of group posts that are being published. If the quality is low, or potentially harmful to the brands participating, then you’re best to avoid that group.
Active groups with regular posts and comments are far more valuable because they offer better networking and learning opportunities.
Be sure, too, to check the group’s description and rules. This helps you understand its purpose and if it’s a good fit for you.
Steps to join a LinkedIn group
Once you’re happy with a group that you’ve found, it’s time to join in! This bit is really easy:
- Click on the group name to go to its page
- Look for the “Join” or “Request to join” button
- Click the button to send your request
You can also join a group directly from the search results page by clicking the “Join” button next to the group name.
Some groups let you join instantly, while others require approval from the group admin – just like on Facebook. If the group is private then you may need to answer questions or explain why you want to join.
Creating and managing your own LinkedIn group
Can't find a group for the subject you want to discuss? There’s no harm in making your own. The process takes a little longer than joining one, but you can get a successful Linkedin group up and running fairly swiftly.
The "Manage group" page is crucial for adjusting settings, reviewing posts, and controlling permissions within the group. Here’s how to do it.
Setting up a new group and establishing group rules
Click on the “For Business” tab at the top of your screen and then “Groups”. You’ll see all your current groups and any you’ve requested to join. Hit the “Create group” button and enter the following details:
- Cover image – This will run across the top of your group
- Logo – Your group’s main image
- Group Name – Choose a relevant name that will appear to search results
- Description – Accurately describe the interests and aims of your group and include keywords here to boost search results
- Industry – Add up to three industries
- Location – Enter a location if you like
- Rules – Set out rules for the group, including things about promotions, abusive behavior, and language
- Group type – Click “Public” or “Private”. A group type can’t be changed once it’s created. If you click “Private” then you can choose for the group to be “Listed” or “Unlisted”. Joining an unlisted group requires a personal invitation from an existing member.
- Permissions – Check the box to allow members to invite their own connections and to set admin reviews for all posts
Your group might grow organically or it might need help from you, as its owner. To get started, make sure you invite colleagues and connections who’d be interested in your group’s topic. Ask them to invite others and encourage them to create posts regularly.
A few thought-provoking posts from your own account will help encourage conversation and keep the group active.
Welcome new members, respond to posts promptly, and highlight great contributions. A successful LinkedIn group will start to grow itself without you needing to interact as often.
Best practices for engaging in LinkedIn groups
We mentioned in the previous section some techniques for triggering participation in your own group. Well, you can also engage with other members as a contributor in other groups.
Below are some tips for doing this well and improving your networking habits.
Share valuable content
Social media produces a lot of disposable content – so make sure your posts carry value. Whether it’s articles, videos, pictures, or insights, the aim here is to show your quality. Brands and individual LinkedIn users can be really successful when sharing content and it also boosts group discoverability.
To foster lively conversations and ensure a positive environment for interactions, it is important for group admins to moderate member posts by approving or denying them as necessary.
Just make sure what you share fits the group’s purpose. LinkedIn is a business-focused platform, so people probably don’t want to see your dog pics.
Initiate and participate in discussions
LinkedIn is considered a safe space to share business ideas and findings. People are encouraged to share what they think and interact in a collegiate manner.
So, start conversations by posting your thoughts or asking questions to group members. Join chats that others have started. Champion great posts and share content.
The more present you are, the more likely you'll be able to network.
Network and build professional relationships with group members
What's great about LinkedIn is its acceptance that most people are on the platform for the same reason: to network, to get jobs, and to strike new business relationships.
So, be confident in your group and network like you're at a business event. Connect with people who post good stuff or make smart comments. Send a note saying why you'd like to link up.
Your LinkedIn professional network can quickly develop.
Remember to keep things professional. You're representing your brand or yourself in a business-focused forum. This isn't the place for abuse, argument, or sarcasm.
Frequently asked questions
Group members usually thrive then they find the right community on LinkedIn – but not every group page is a success. If you're looking for the right network or are planning to create a group on a specific topic then the answers to these below questions should help.
How do I find and join relevant LinkedIn groups for my industry?
Use the search bar at the top of your LinkedIn homepage and filter the results for groups. Look for active groups related to your field and interests. Check the group description and rules before clicking to join, or requesting permission to join.
Can you list the steps to create a new LinkedIn group?
- Click the "For Business" icon on LinkedIn
- Select "Groups" from the dropdown
- Click "Create group"
- Fill in group details like name and description
- Add a cover image and logo
- Set privacy settings
- Invite members
What are the best practices for engaging with LinkedIn group members?
Start by introducing yourself. Be open and cordial, and share useful content and insights regularly. Ask and answer questions to spark discussions but be careful not to get into angry arguments. LinkedIn groups are generally safe spaces for people to discuss and debate. Avoid persistent self-promotion and focus on adding value to group conversations.
