Build Your Business With Linkedin - Tip 2

If you are reading this hub, it is probably because you are not getting enough out of Linkedin and you want to find out what you need to do to have true Linkedin Success. If you got here without reading my first hub, stop reading and visit Step 1, then come back!

Step 2 is really about as basic as step 1. Again, it doesn't cost you anything but a little piece of your time every day, but the rewards you can receive are well worth that investment. For step 2, my advice to you is to GET INVOLVED! How do I get involved, you say?

• Research various groups and join them. Look for groups that interest you professionally, personally and also which would interest your ideal prospects. You want to be sure you have an interest in the groups you join, otherwise you will neglect them.
• Don't join more groups than you can actively participate in until you become accustomed to what each group requires of your time.
• Do not abuse your audience. I post a lot of information in news feeds and discussions. I make sure that it is not solicitation, but rather content that I think would be useful for the members of the group. For example, I have posted this hub in every group to which I belong. I feel this information is valuable to my audience and the other group members, but I don't really receive any type of direct benefit from sharing this information. Hopefully it will help my fellow group members.
• Actively comment on posts by other group members. Begin to build relationships with people who have similar thoughts and philosophies. These people are your future Linkedin connections and possibly a vital part of your online Network of professionals. Not only will this show that you have something valuable to say, but it will also show that you have an interest in someone other than yourself.
• Know the difference between a discussion and a news article. If you have a question, ask it as a discussion. If you have recently read something that you think will benefit the group at large, submit it as a news article link. The more you discuss and submit, the more you will be perceived as a thought leader, which should be your ultimate goal.
• Invite others. If there are other people in your network that you think would benefit from participating in a group, don't be afraid to suggest your groups to them. This will only strengthen your relationship with both them and the group.

Certainly there are plenty of other things you can do to get involved on Linkedin. However, my intent is to keep these posts as light as possible while still providing good information. If you haven't had experience with Linkedin groups, I hope that you will use the information above to get started. As always, we appreciate feedback on what we write. If you have found any of the Linkedin posts useful, please let us know. If you have questions that have not been answered, please don't be afraid to ask. Until Tip 3................................

 David R. Carothers, CIC, CRM is a Risk Management Consultant and Licensed Insurance Agent with Praxiom based in Tampa, FL. To contact David Directly, please email him at drc@praxiom-rm.com