Denetra Hampton knows how powerful technology is to connect people of like interests.
Not only is she the CEO of an online nursing education company (and a digital magazine – and a nursing organization) she has expertly harnessed the power of the LinkedIn group to bring together over 10,000 entrepreneur nurses and become their habit!
LinkedIn groups can be extremely valuable to connecting with others in you niche and driving traffic to your newly created WordPress site.
Read on to learn more about Denetra and how she built her LinkedIn group and made it a habit among her top contributors.
1) When did you start Entrepreneur Nurse, and why did you create it?
I started this group back in 2011. It was a spinoff of what was happening in my own personal life. I had just retired from the U.S. Navy and started a small business. I thought it would be a platform that would help ME build a robust knowledge base.
2) What do you feel makes your community special?
This group is a multi-discipline community. Which is awesome. This diversity is key to any entrepreneur, but especially for those just starting out.
3) If you could magically give all of your community members one thing in this world, what would it be, and why?
PASSION!… I have learned that most people are in business to make money, but not everyone is there because they have PASSION for what they do while they are making money. This is important, because, when times get tough, and they will. It is the passion that will sustain you when no money is coming in.
4) If you could ask your group members one thing and get an answer from all of them, what would that question be?
Why is this group a HABIT for you. I ask that because it is important that as entrepreneurs, we become someone’s HABIT. We must create something that keeps people coming back. I would want to know what that is for them and this group.
5) Who are your power-users or most active members? What do you like most about them?
I would not say a particular person, but definitely a particular profession. NURSES, and Healthcare professionals. We all have that commonality and the subject matter is massive.
6) What are some of the hot topics that seem to always be discussed within the group?
1. Leadership is the weapon of choice here. It is the sword that I use to get right to the heart of things. And everyone has experienced it in some form or fashion. Not to mention it is a trending repair right now in all disciplines.
2. Technology would be high on the list. It has affected everyone in the world, especially in business. If you are not relevant in technology, you can’t lead or be an entrepreneur.
7) For someone new to this community, how do they get the most out of it?
Find someone of interest to follow. The LinkedIn group shows who the top contributors are and these folk are usually the most engaging. A great start.
8) Has anything surprised you about owning a forum about entrepreneurship?
Yes. I have totally been surprised by the number of people with all of these amazing projects and ventures. When you have this type of creativity in one place, the knowledge in unlimited. So when I set out to create a platform that I could learn from, I actually did.
9) What one piece of advice would you give to a nurse that is thinking about starting their own business?
FOLLOW YOUR OWN MUSE! Just because another nurse is doing something, does not mean that it is for you. Create your own path, give others something to admire.
Hopefully Denetra has inspired you to think about creating your own LinkedIn group in your niche! You can cross-post content from your website and reach a whole new set of people you wouldn't be able to find as easily on Twitter or Facebook.
And find a few groups to join – you'll be amazed at the caliber and quality of the ideas you'll find!
Here are LinkedIn's best practices for promoting your group
And check out this article from Social Media Examiner: Six Ways to Grow a LinkedIn Group – Tips from the Pros
