How to Keep Your LinkedIn Group Activity Relevant to Members

Groups on social media sites provide a forum to create and participate in meaningful communities. There are those who create social network groups, those who participate as members, and those who do both.

Groups enable people with a common interest or goal to gather, share, question or learn. But I have received many messages from group creators urging members to follow better practices to keep the group activity relevant and meaningful to other members.

A Social Network Group is like a Party

I make a comparison between a group creator and a party host. A group creator creates a group, and invites and accepts members, like a host plans a party. A party host invites and accepts guests who want to participate because they share something in common with other members or guests.

I make a similar comparison between a group member and a party guest. A group member joins or wants to join a group to share in a community with other group members just as a party guest attends a party to mingle with a like minded community to celebrate the party reason.

The Golden Rule for Interacting with Your Social Media Group

The point here is to treat the group creator and other group members the same way you’d want to be treated if you hosted a party or attended a party. It should be common sense.  But I see LinkedIn group creators setting guidelines for members, which translates: the host doesn’t appreciate the behavior of certain party guests.  And I see LinkedIn group members expressing dissatisfaction with the value they are getting from the other members when those guidelines are not followed.  This translates: some guests are not having fun at the party and are leaving.  It occurs to me that perhaps many group members are testing the best way to participate and add value.

Let the Party Guest Analogy Show the Way

If you are exploring or testing how to give and get the most value as a LinkedIn group participant, here is a helpful guideline. The party analogy should provide insight. As a LinkedIn group creator, extend the same common sense courtesies you would if you were the host of a party. As a member, participate with the same common sense and courtesies you would if you were a guest at a party.  When in doubt, these guidelines may help. Let me know if this information was valuable to you.