Here are some helpful guidelines to prepare and launch your small business group discussion(s) on LinkedIn. Included are some facts, tips, strategies and suggestions. A small business marketing strategy dictates if you can isolate a target market and draw them to your group you should. When done correctly by sharing valuable information in a leadership role, you should be able to leverage this networking relationship to develop new customers and referrals. I suggest say you take advantage of this free opportunity to help market and expand your business. Courtesy of Michael Yublosky, hands on small business Web marketing strategist, SEO, LinkedIn specialist and WordPress Web site and blog publishing. Brand yourself, increase your visibility and be found!

1. Tips on Setting Up and Marketing
Your LinkedIn Group Discussion
by
Michael L. Yublosky
The “Web Professor”
April 22, 2013
connect with me
www.linkedin.com/in/michaellyublosky/

2. Set Up Your Own Special
Interest Group Discussion(s)

3. Objectives
Attract targeted (people who are interested in
subject matter) individuals.
Learn more about that target market and share
insights.
Become a valuable resource and contributor to
the targeted community.
Build relationships, and over time earn credibility,
new business and more referrals.

4. Types of Groups
Members Only
(Padlock icon next
Group to name)
vs. Open
(no Padlock)
Must be a LinkedIn member to join.

5. Members Only Groups
Members-only group discussions can only
be seen by other group members.
Can be changed to an open group but
cannot be undone.

6. Open Groups
All discussions can be viewed by anyone on
the web, found on any search engines,
and can be shared on other social
networking platforms like Twitter, in
addition to LinkedIn.
Managers have the option to allow non
members to contribute. (Contributions are
put into buffer until approved.)

7. Some Benefits of Groups
You can see the profiles of group members
as if they were 1st level connections.
Correspond without InMails ($10.00 each).
Commonality of group makes it easier to
connect with members.

8. Maximum Number of Groups
per Individual = 10

9. Owners May
Add up to 10 managers to assist them.
However, only the owner can make
someone the new owner. The new owner
must already be a manager.

10. Subgroups
Only an owner or a manager can create.
Can own up to 20 subgroups.
Can not be open (as of now).
Can be by “Invite Only”.

11. Moderators
Individuals can moderate up to 50 groups.
Any group or subgroup can have up to 50
moderators.

12. Group Owners/Managers Set
Up Rules and Guidelines

13. Can Direct Members
To Your Web Site
Link in
signature

14. Can Send Weekly Emails

15. Moderate and move discussions.
Remove people from the group.

16. Before Starting a Group, Ask
What would your target market be interested
in?
How will you keep the group healthy and
engaged?
How will you be able to expose them to your
business?

17. Some Types of
General Activities
Promote and link to an upcoming webinar.
Share a case study.
Highlight and link to a popular blog post you’ve
found or written to help educate/inform.
Showcase and link to a SlideShare deck that
would be of interest.
Promote a video about your group's interests.
Share other social channels where you can be
reached.

18. Business Specific Activities
Take polls.
Highlight customer testimonials and link to a page
on your site with more positive reviews.
Drive traffic to a squeeze page to collect leads for
a new product.
Share other social channels where you can be
reached.

19. Make This A Company-
Wide Team Effort

20. Thank you!
For assistance with
your individual
LinkedIn profile,
group discussion
or company page:
Contact me -
Michael Yublosky
at 847-634-6535
with any questions.

21. and Ask About
My Free 23
Category
LinkedIn Profile
Evaluation -
Brand Yourself,
Become Visible,
Be Found!