LinkedIn groups are one of the most powerful elements of LinkedIn for businesses. They offer the perfect way to establish a relationship with your target audience, share content and build authority within a particular sector.

When LinkedIn launched in 2003 it began life as a basic careers website with 4500 users. Just over a decade later and it’s now a global B2B lead generation and networking phenomenon with almost 300 million members. This means that there are an overwhelming number of opportunities for businesses.

Here are our top five tips on how you can use LinkedIn as a social sharing tool and boost your reputation:

1)    Choose your groups wisely

LinkedIn allows you to only join 50 groups so make sure you select the ones that you want to connect with carefully. You should join the groups that your target audience belong to;. Consider your strategy; you want to separate the decision makers from the influencers; both have very different parts to play.

2)    Post in LinkedIn groups regularly

Try and participate in LinkedIn groups at least two to three times a week. It is imperative to post as regularly as you can, ensuring your content is fresh and up-to-date. This will position you as up-to-date with the latest goings-on in your sector.

3)    Build Thought Leadership

In order to position yourself as a leader it’s important to ask intelligent questions and provide your own unique insight and commentary on as many discussions as you can. It is also great if you can contribute content that will spark off a discusssion.

4)    Never sell – create value

No-one wants to be pitched to in LinkedIn groups, in fact it is actually considered as spam. Instead try and subtly promote your event or business within a wider context. Ensure other group members feel you are providing them with interesting, useful content, not just boosting your bottom line.

5)    Network, network, network

Engage with as many people as possible and put yourself out there. The more you contribute to LinkedIn groups the more people will want to connect with you and hear from you.

In short, contributing to Linked In groups is one of the best ways to promote your business and position yourself as a thought leader. Do it wisely and there will be great benefits to reap. Just remember: create value, not spam.