If you want to connect with small business professionals like yourself, then one way to do it is by visiting LinkedIn Groups. They provide both resources and connections, but there is just one problem - there are so many of them. Just type “small business” into the LinkedIn search engine, and you will see how popular the subject is.
So how do you choose the ones most valuable to you?
Let us dive into LinkedIn on your behalf. Below is a list of 20 important LinkedIn groups for business. The number of members is accurate at the time of this writing.
LinkedIn Groups for Business
Small Biz Nation
With nearly 19,500 members, this group is a community of small business leaders who collaborate and share ideas, gaining insight from industry experts and technology leaders, and sharing tips and tricks.
Social Media Marketing
It claims to be “the largest and most active social media marketing group on LinkedIn.com with over 825,000 members as of April 2014″ (it’s now 860,000). Moderated by 28 people to keep the spam and trolls away, the group has 20 sub-groups for specialist topics related to social media, such as Social Media Marketing and Non-Profits, and Social Media and Politics. If you are heavily into social media, this may be the group to go to.
eMarketing Association Network
With 573,000 members, the eMarketing Association Network is managed by the eMarketing Association, the largest Internet marketing organization of its kind in the world.
The group is open to everyone interested in Internet marketing. The focus is on social, email, search, mobile and Web marketing.
Entrepreneurs Network
If you are an entrepreneur, or you aspire to be, this group of 12,967 members may be a good fit for you. You can talk with like-minded people, ask questions and get answers. At the very least, the other members will inspire you.
GoBig Network Startup Community
The Go Big Network of almost 4,500 members is a community of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and others. They are interested in helping companies to expand as quickly as possible. To do this, they provide services such as business plan help, credit building services and fraud prevention tips.
On Startups – The Community For Entrepreneurs
On Startups calls itself “the largest entrepreneurial startup group on LinkedIn.” With 408,000 members, if it isn’t at the top, then it is probably very close to it.
The focus of this group is marketing, sales, financing, operations, and hiring. But of course if you want to talk about startups or small business topics, then they won’t turn you away.
Innovative Marketing, PR, Sales & Social Media Innovators
This group is for networking with marketing, social media, public relations, promotions, sales & selling professionals. The group has nearly 267,000 members, and you can learn & share best practices, ideas, advice & solutions.
You can also apparently receive exclusive invitations to webinars, workshops, conferences & events featuring “world-renowned innovation experts & gurus.”
Consultants Network
The Consultants Network is comprised of 300,000+ members in areas such as global strategy, management, marketing, finance, business, IT consulting and freelancing. No matter what kind of consultant you are, it’s probably worth checking this one out.
Executive Suite
The Executive Suite is full of business leaders, coaches, recruiters and corporate hiring decision makers. It is operated by ExecuNet, a private network for senior-level executives.
E-Commerce Network
A lot of businesses these days fall under the topic of eCommerce, as shops and other businesses move from bricks and mortar to the Internet. If this describes you, then the E-Commerce Network may be one to check out. Full of like-minded professionals, you can discuss eCommerce and eMarketing topics here.
Let’s Get Funded
Getting the funds you need to get started is always a challenge in this tough economic climate. This group focuses on what it takes for entrepreneurs to get their companies funded. It also attempts to connect these entrepreneurs with mentors, private equity groups, venture capital firms, lenders, advisors, and more.
Startup Mastermind
Startup Mastermind is dedicated to providing networking opportunities and collaboration among startup founders, founding team members, and startup advisors.
Small Business Marketing Network
As the name suggests, this group is for anyone who is involved in marketing for their small business. So it poses some questions about how to increase the leads from your website, how to enhance customer service and how to avoid the biggest marketing mistakes.
A Startup Specialists Group – Online Network for Entrepreneurs and Startups
This group provides you with startup support, as well as assistance with planning your new venture. Members also get support for crowdsourcing startups. Then there’s access to better networking, crowdfunding, mentors, other startups, incubators, accelerators, fellow entrepreneurs, founders, consultants, inventors, and much more.
Small Biz Forum
Small Biz Forum is a place for the small business community to share resources and work together collaborativelty to improve each others’ businesses.
Small Business & Independent Consultant Network
The goal of this group is to create a network of professionals who work to raise the profile of small businesses and to connect those businesses with the appropriate talent or resources. This can include members seeking business services such as branding, accounting, or legal advice. It can also include members who are simply seeking to improve their knowledge in a specific topic.
Small Business Evolution | Entrepreneurs & SMEs
This is a group that focuses on business-related discussions, including on topics like the differences between men and women in the workplace, the importance of staying creative and the trend towards mobile offices, among many more.
Linked Small Business Innovators
This is a group for entrepreneurs, small business professionals, and executives. Members share news, trends, expertise and resources. You can use this group to build relationships with other connections within the small business community to further your career, or expand your knowledge.
Small Business Online Community
The community goal is to empower people to build a successful business. Here you will find a place to learn and share information with others who are in different stages of business growth. No matter what your business level, there is something you can learn from others at different stages in their companies.
Small Businesses and Self Employed Group – Getting Clients, Building Business and Making More Income
The name of this group pretty much says it all. Members talk about getting clients, building businesses, and making more income. Sounds like a combination many entrepreneurs could appreciate.
Which LinkedIn business groups do you belong to?
LinkedIn Photo via Shutterstock
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20 Important LinkedIn Groups for Business
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