Why should your B2B brand build a community on LinkedIn? Well, if you’re looking to connect with your target market, position yourself as a thought leader, and generate leads, then LinkedIn marketing is your go-to social network strategy. With more than 1 billion users in more than 200 countries and territories, LinkedIn has morphed from a networking and jobs website to a goldmine for B2B social media marketers.In our latest guide for businesses, we’ll lay out our experience and explore some of the best tips and frameworks for building a thriving B2B community on LinkedIn.
Why LinkedIn B2B Marketing Works
B2B LinkedIn marketing is not only effective, it’s also a preferred channel. They report that 96% of B2B marketers use LinkedIn to distribute their content, and 80% opt for paid content on the platform. LinkedIn Conversation ads also boast 4x the open and engagement rates compared to email marketing.
What makes a good community? Participation, engagement, shared purpose, and passion. We get to learn from and collaborate with individuals we respect and appreciate when all of these components come together in an honest way. With its vast user base of professionals seeking to network and work together, LinkedIn offers B2B marketers incredible chances to create these sorts of diverse communities.
How to Set Your Company Up for Success on LinkedIn
Keep in mind that building relationships is at the core of LinkedIn marketing. Building your personal brand on LinkedIn is directly related to building your brand there, and doing both requires a back-and-forth strategy.
The following advice will help you position your business for success on LinkedIn:
- Enhance your company page: The basis of your LinkedIn presence is your company page. Ensure that it is accurate, current, and search engine optimized.
- Form a group: LinkedIn groups enable you to bring together individuals who share your professional interests and are like-minded. Make a group for your sector of the economy rather than just your business. The group’s objective is to broaden your focus and extend an invitation to others to engage, exchange ideas, and establish relationships. You already have a corporate page, so treat the two as separate entities.
- Post frequently and early: On LinkedIn, consistency is essential. To maintain an educated and involved audience, post frequently and early.
- Interact with your audience: You can do this by leaving comments, posing relevant questions, and taking part in discussions. You’ll be able to develop thought leadership and forge relationships with your audience by adopting this type of approach.
- Make use of LinkedIn Ads: These might assist you in reaching and generating leads from your target demographic. Make use of them to advertise your events, merchandise, and content.
- Evaluate your performance: Take advantage of LinkedIn Analytics to monitor your progress and modify your approach as necessary.
Building a B2B Online Community on LinkedIn
The success of B2B online community building is dependent on community management. While you have a direct link to a base of prospects to promote your events, you can directly track and link registrations to the members in your group.
Here are some tips for building a B2B online community on LinkedIn:
- Event marketing: Use your LinkedIn group to promote your events and track registrations.
- Social selling: Use your LinkedIn group to connect with prospects and generate leads.
- Focus on a common goal: Groups and communities get together around a common goal. Make sure your group has a clear purpose and focus.
- Manage direct sales messaging: Be careful not to come across as too salesy in your group. Instead, focus on providing value and building relationships.
- Foster engagement: Encourage your members to participate in discussions, share their ideas, and collaborate with each other..
- Measure your results: Use LinkedIn Analytics to track your performance and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Start Building Your LinkedIn Community
Building a community on LinkedIn can be a powerful way to connect with your target audience, establish thought leadership, and generate leads. You can position your business for success on LinkedIn by optimizing your company page, starting a group, publishing frequently, interacting with your audience, making use of LinkedIn Ads, and tracking your progress. And by focusing on community management, event marketing, social selling, a common goal, engagement, and measuring your results, you can build a successful B2B online community on LinkedIn.
Connect with us at Relevant Audience to find out more about how to leverage LinkedIn for B2B success!