- LinkedIn groups can be a great way to network with industry professionals, converse with like-minded individuals, offer expert insight, and connect with potential customers.
- There are LinkedIn groups specific to niche entrepreneurship.
- If you join LinkedIn groups, be sure to contribute.
- This article is for small business owners and entrepreneurs looking for groups to join on LinkedIn.
If you're a working professional, there's a good chance you're on LinkedIn, a social media network that is designed to connect business professionals with industry experts, highlight an individual's professional successes, and to find new job opportunities. LinkedIn's groups, though, are an overlooked but invaluable tool that can connect you with like-minded professionals. If you're an entrepreneur, these groups can be an invaluable resource to help you improve and grow your business. Here are 25 LinkedIn groups all entrepreneurs should consider joining.
1. Executive Suite
Executive Suite is all about connecting executives so they can share advice on leadership, decision-making and more. As a member, you'll join more than 375,000 other members and gain access to their web series, discussion boards, and practical advice.
2. A Startup Specialists Group
With more than 582,000 members, A Startup Specialists Group caters to startups, mentors, founders and investors; it is a great resource for entrepreneurs. Here you'll find support, as well as tips for building your business, crowdfunding advice, best business practices, advice on networking and so much more.
3. OutBuro – LGBTQ Professional and Entrepreneur Community
OutBuro is a global professional network with more than 47,000 members that fosters a community seeking to connect with and advance business knowledge, with a special emphasis on LGBTQ businesses and leadership. OutBuro is not only for LGBTQ entrepreneurs, but also friends, allies, recruiters and diversity professionals.
4. Social Entrepreneur Empowerment Network
With more than 21,000 members, the Social Entrepreneur Empowerment Network is for socially conscious entrepreneurs who want to make a difference. This group, led by Ryan Eliason, focuses on connecting like-minded professionals so they can reach their powerful missions.
5. Female Entrepreneur Association
If you are a female entrepreneur looking to connect with other women leaders, the Female Entrepreneur Association is a place to do just that. It has more than 12,000 members and strives to connect women entrepreneurs so they can share inspiration and raise awareness.
6. Investment, Innovation, Entrepreneurship
Join the 62,000 members of the Investment, Innovation, Entrepreneurship group to connect with professionals, companies and entities regarding the development of innovative technology solutions.
7. Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Network
With more than 303,000 members, CMO Network dubs itself the No. 1 executive group for CMOs. Managed and moderated by Recruiter.com, this group and connects businesses with an extensive network of recruiters, who can help you fill critical open jobs with talented professionals.
8. Young Entrepreneur Connections
The Young Entrepreneur Connections group has nearly 18,000 members and is open to a wide range of professionals (e.g., entrepreneurs, startups, attorneys, accountants, marketing, consultants and more). The primary focus of the group is to help young business owners connect with one another.
9. Band of Entrepreneurs
As a "non-profit organization of, by, and for entrepreneurs," Band of Entrepreneurs has more than 30,000 members and provides support on topics like legal help, human resources, public relations, technology and more.
10. Bright Ideas & Entrepreneurs
Bright Ideas & Entrepreneurs facilitates discussions between entrepreneurs all over the world. With more than 21,000 members, this group invites you to share ideas and connect with other like-minded professionals.
11. Digital Marketing
The nearly 2 million members of the Digital Marketing group discuss areas of the digital marketing landscape, including social media marketing, mobile marketing, search engine marketing, online advertising and more. It also provides updates to industry reports and white papers to keep members abreast of trends, innovations, and the best digital marketing practices, as well as organizing social and networking events and conferences.
12. Entrepreneurs Meet Investors
With more than 6,000 members, Entrepreneurs Meet Investors is great group for entrepreneurs seeking startup funding or for more established businesses in need of capital for further growth.
13. Entrepreneur's Network
Founded in 2008, Entrepreneur's Network has more than 93,000 members and aims to connect current and aspiring entrepreneurs to find answers, ask questions, and connect with similar professionals.
14. Future Trends
If you're looking to connect with fellow trend hunters and visionaries in a variety of industries, such as marketing, consumer insights, strategic planning and trend tracking, then Future Trends is for you. Join the nearly 700,000 members and start sharing your ideas.
15. Leadership Think Tank
Committed to collaborating for the improvement of leadership, Leadership Think Tank, with more than 388,000 members, aims to identify the relationship between leaders and followers through open discussions about leadership concepts and practices.
16. On Startups
On Startups, a group of more than 825,000 members, gives entrepreneurs a space to discuss marketing, sales, finance, operations, recruiting and other startup-related topics.
17. Private Equity, M&A, and Venture Capital Investments
This community, Private Equity, M&A, and Venture Capital Investments, is perfect for entrepreneurs seeking to learn more about funding and to discuss best practices, articles, books, events and deal flow from more than 384,000 members.
18. Social Media Marketing
With nearly 2 million members, Social Media Marketing by Connect365.io says it is the largest and most active social media marketing group on LinkedIn. Moderated by industry experts, members can join interactive discussions on a host of social media marketing topics.
19. Start-Up Phase Forum
With a community of more than 18,000 members, Start-Up Phase Forum provides information and support to entrepreneurs and small business owners in the startup phase. Topics range from marketing, recruiting, and financing to legal aspects, blogging, slogans, and branding.
20. Linked Business
The 13,000 members of the Linked Business group come together to discuss difficulties small businesses face, gain perspective and share their experiences.
21. COSE (Council of Smaller Enterprises)
Based in Chicago, this group of nearly 4,000 members aims to provide support to organizations and small businesses. COSE fights for small business owners' rights and provides a forum for small business owners to connect with and learn from each other.
22. Startup Mastermind
Startup Mastermind, boasting more than 10,000 members, is "dedicated to providing networking opportunities and collaboration among startup founders, founding team members, and startup advisors."
23. Business Evolution
Approaching 28,000 members, Business Evolution is a group of experienced professionals that discuss the latest business trends and share tips to help your business thrive in the era of lockdowns, remote work, and a four-generation workforce.
24. Small Business Network by Entrepreneurs HQ
Small Business Network by Entrepreneurs HQ, a group of more than 240,000 members, is a network for entrepreneurs, founders, and small business owners to find possible financial backing and share advice about web design, search engine optimization, search engine marketing, and other marketing strategy and tips.
25. Digital Marketing: Social Media, Search, Mobile & More
With more than 938,000 members, Digital Marketing: Social Media, Search, Mobile & More is for professionals in all sectors of marketing, social media, public relations, and advertising to come together to share strategies, advice, and tips with each other.
Benefits of LinkedIn for entrepreneurs
LinkedIn is all about connections. It is a great way to connect with colleagues, organizations, industry professionals, clients and more. Although LinkedIn can be a useful tool in any professional's networking toolkit, it can be especially beneficial for entrepreneurs.
Visibility
As a new or budding business owner, an entrepreneur often has little visibility and client reach. LinkedIn is a great way you can increase your visibility and raise awareness of your business, products, or services. You can reach potential customers and clients, identify new market gaps and build your brand.
Thought leadership
LinkedIn isn't just a place to "sell" yourself; instead of constantly promoting your business, you should also provide value to others as well. You can build your image as a thought leader in your industry by adding to LinkedIn group discussions, mentoring younger or less experienced professionals on the platform, and offering your expert insight where you can. Giving back is a great way to gain trust and appreciation from your community, which is ultimately a benefit to you in the end.
Mentorship and industry connections
Perhaps the biggest benefit LinkedIn offers entrepreneurs is the ability to connect with experienced industry professionals. You can find mentors, discuss solutions with like-minded individuals, and network with professionals around the globe. Networking can play a major role in entrepreneurship, and LinkedIn is a great way to do just that.
Skye Schooley contributed to the reporting and writing in this article. Some source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.