LinkedIn groups are an excellent way to connect with other professionals, share ideas and resources, and expand your network. But with over 2 million groups on LinkedIn, how do you find the right ones to join? Here are some tips to help you navigate LinkedIn groups and find the best ones for you.
Search for groups
The easiest way to find LinkedIn groups is to use the search bar at the top of your LinkedIn homepage. You can search by keywords, job titles, industries, interests, locations, and more. For example, searching for “marketing” or “social media marketing” will bring up relevant groups.
When you find a group that interests you, click on it to view the group’s homepage. Here you can learn more about the purpose of the group, see who’s in it, view recent discussions, and request to join.
Browse group recommendations
LinkedIn will recommend groups for you to join based on your profile and activity. You’ll see these recommendations on the right side of your homepage and in the “Groups You May Like” section.
Browse through these recommendations and preview any groups that catch your eye. Since these suggestions are personalized, they’re often a great way to find relevant groups.
Look through “My Networks” groups
You can also uncover new groups through your own network on LinkedIn. Go to the My Network menu at the top of your homepage and select “Groups.”
This will show you groups that your connections are members of. Joining groups where you already know people is a great way to become an active member.
Follow companies and influencers
LinkedIn Pages for companies, organizations, and influencers often have their own LinkedIn groups. Follow the brands and people who interest you, then check their Pages to see if they have a group you can join.
For example, following business leaders in your industry is a good way to find relevant professional groups run by those thought leaders.
Ask for recommendations
Don’t forget to ask your connections for LinkedIn group recommendations! Make a post asking which groups people have found valuable. You can also message individual connections who you think could point you towards great groups.
People love sharing their favorite LinkedIn communities, so tap into your network for insider tips.
How to evaluate if a LinkedIn group is worth joining
With so many LinkedIn groups to choose from, how do you know which are worthwhile for you to join? Here are some tips for evaluating a group:
- Look at the number of members. Groups with more members tend to have richer discussions.
- Read the group’s description to understand its purpose and rules.
- Scan recent discussions to see if members are actively engaged.
- Search members you know and respect. If they are members, it’s a good sign.
- Check that the group is moderated by active managers.
- See if members share valuable insights vs. only promoting themselves.
High quality groups will have engaged members, thoughtful discussions, and be relevant to your interests and goals. Focus on joining a few active groups rather than many stagnant ones.
How to join LinkedIn groups
Ready to request membership in some LinkedIn groups? Here’s how to join:
- Go to the group’s homepage. You can search for groups or browse recommendations.
- Click the blue “Join” button on the right side.
- On the pop-up, choose if you’d like notifications sent to your email.
- Type a short note in the box explaining why you want to join.
- Click “Send Request.” The group admins will review and accept your request.
Make sure your join request note is personalized and specific to show you read about the group. This helps ensure your request is accepted.
How many LinkedIn groups should you join?
There’s no magic number for how many groups you should join on LinkedIn. The right amount depends on your goals and capacity to remain an active participant. Here are some tips:
- Start with 1-3 groups to get your feet wet without being overwhelmed.
- Join groups that align closely with your industry, interests, goals, and expertise.
- Only join as many groups as you can actively participate in through comments, posts, and discussions.
- 5-10 highly active groups is ideal for most professionals to provide value.
- It’s better to be an engaged member in fewer groups than inactive across too many.
As you get involved in groups over time, you can gradually join additional ones. But focus on quality over quantity when it comes to group memberships.
Tips for actively participating in LinkedIn groups
To get the most out of LinkedIn groups, aim to be an active contributor. Here are some best practices:
- Check in on group discussions daily or weekly when possible.
- Comment on discussions where you can provide insights or expertise.
- Post thoughtful questions to spark engaging conversations.
- Share relevant articles, resources, and opportunities.
- Be helpful and respectful to other group members.
- Participate consistently over time vs. just lurking.
By actively engaging, you’ll build connections, establish yourself as an expert, and gain insights from other members. Make time to consistently interact.
How to start a LinkedIn group
Starting your own LinkedIn group can be a great way to establish yourself as a thought leader and build a community. Here are tips for starting a successful group:
- Choose a specific, well-defined topic and target audience.
- Craft a clear, descriptive group name and description.
- Determine group rules and member requirements.
- Select applicable categories and keywords for discoverability.
- Design an eye-catching logo and cover photo.
- Proactively invite targeted connections to join your group.
- Post engaging content consistently and monitor discussions.
- Promote your group on your profile, website, and other channels.
- Partner with sponsors and influencers to grow the group.
It takes time and effort to build an active member base. But cultivating your own group can help boost your personal brand.
Conclusion
LinkedIn groups offer a wealth of opportunities to meet like-minded professionals, share knowledge, raise your profile, and make business connections. Finding and joining the right groups takes research and strategy. Start by searching for relevant groups, checking recommendations, asking your network, and evaluating a group’s engagement. Be selective in the groups you join, and focus on consistently providing value as an active member. With the right approach, LinkedIn groups can significantly benefit your career.