LinkedIn groups can be a great way to connect with other professionals in your industry or with similar interests. As the owner and admin of a LinkedIn group, you have control over the membership and can choose whether your group is open to anyone or if there are certain requirements to join.
Open vs Closed LinkedIn Groups
There are two main types of LinkedIn groups – open and closed. With an open LinkedIn group, anyone on LinkedIn can find and request to join the group. The group admin can then accept or decline the request. Open groups tend to have more members, but members may be less engaged since anyone can join.
Closed LinkedIn groups require approval to join. The admin must accept each member request, so these groups tend to be more focused and engaged, with members who are truly interested in the group topic. However, closed groups usually have fewer members since membership is limited.
Setting Requirements to Join a LinkedIn Group
As the LinkedIn group admin, you can set requirements for members to request to join your open or closed group. Common requirements include:
- Specific industry or job titles
- Location
- Skills or expertise
- Education or academic credentials
- Number of LinkedIn connections
Setting requirements can help ensure your LinkedIn group members are the audience you want to engage. This helps members get more value from the group since they can network and discuss topics relevant to their professional interests.
How to Set Requirements for LinkedIn Group Membership
Here are the steps to set requirements for joining your LinkedIn group:
- Go to your LinkedIn group page and click “Manage” at the top
- Select “Membership” from the menu on the left
- Under “How members join your group”, choose either “Upon request” for an open group or “By approval only” for a closed group
- Check the box next to “Require members to answer membership questions”
- Fill in the membership questions you want potential members to answer, such as:
- What is your job title/industry/company?
- Where are you located?
- What skills/expertise do you have related to this group?
- Select the requirements members must meet from the dropdown menus
- Click “Save changes”
Once membership questions and requirements are added, members will need to provide that information when requesting to join your LinkedIn group. As the admin, you will be able to view the responses to vet requests and ensure members meet your criteria.
Tips for Setting LinkedIn Group Membership Requirements
Here are some tips when establishing membership requirements for your LinkedIn group:
- Keep requirements relevant to your group’s purpose and topics
- Have 2-3 thoughtful questions for potential members to answer
- Set requirements broad enough that you can get a critical mass of engaged members
- Review pending requests frequently and accept/decline promptly to maintain membership momentum
- Adjust requirements over time as your group evolves
Can I make my LinkedIn group completely open?
Yes, as the group admin you can make your LinkedIn group completely open to anyone on LinkedIn. To do so:
- Go to your group’s page and click “Manage” at the top
- Select “Membership” from the menu
- Under “How members join your group”, choose “Open – members can join without approval”
- Save your changes
With an open group, any LinkedIn member can find and join your group instantly without needing approval. This can help you quickly grow your group’s membership.
However, an open group means you have no control over who joins. Members may not be as targeted or engaged. It also leaves your group more vulnerable to spam since anyone can join.
Weigh the pros and cons of an open vs closed or restricted group based on your goals. You can always start open and tighten membership requirements later if needed.
Best practices for LinkedIn group membership
To build an engaged LinkedIn group that provides value for members, here are some best practices:
- Have a clear topic and purpose for your group to attract the right members
- Set membership requirements related to industries, job functions, expertise, etc.
- Ask members to introduce themselves upon joining to screen requests
- Review pending requests frequently and deny spam/irrelevant requests
- Send welcome messages when approving requests to greet new members
- Share discussions, news, and resources daily to encourage participation
- Give members roles like moderators to help manage conversations
- Promote your group on your profile, in other groups, and through employees
Managing your group’s membership is an ongoing process. Pay close attention to who you allow to join and regularly engage with members to build a thriving community.
Conclusion
As a LinkedIn group admin, you have flexibility in how open or closed off your group is to new members. Set clear membership requirements to ensure new members are the right fit and will contribute valuable insights. Review pending requests frequently and engage with members often. Finding the right balance will lead to a group that provides maximum value for members.
