How Do I Grow my Facebook Group?
We often tell clients and people looking to market their business online that posting on social media as a business is more for exposure. Generally, the rules for posting on a business Facebook and Instagram page are to share posts that are educational, entertaining, engaging, and a bit of direct marketing.
A Facebook group needs more engagement and more unique content as people are opting to join a community, which is different from just opting to come across your posts every now and be reminded of your business.
Facebook also favours group posts over posts from a business page - if a member belongs to a group, they are more likely to see a post in the group on their timeline over a post from a page.
Here are a few tips for building a relationship with Facebook group members:
Post welcome messages/announcements:
Post something to welcome new members and tagging them (weekly).
Encourage new members to post something about themselves when they are accepted into the group (pin to the top of the group timeline).
Introduce yourself (owner of the group) - makes members feel like they’ve gotten to know you (pin to the top of the group timeline).
Pin important announcements about special events to the group timeline so that new members don’t miss anything.
Engage with members:
Post polls to ask for feedback on products, videos, or suggestions on what they’d like to see. Example: “Would you prefer more tips on how to create email campaigns that convert, or would you like a guided exercise on how to write content that converts?”
Encourage members to start conversations about relevant topics by starting a thread. Example: “I’m starting a positivity train. What was the highlight of your week?”
Allow members to share what they are struggling with so that it gives you ideas on content to share that is beneficial to them.
Participate in the discussion by liking/replying to comments, or posting thanks if you’re asking a question or have run a poll.
Post often.
Monitor content and remove spam.
Offer high-value, unique content in the group:
As mentioned, people who join your group are opting to be part of the community so consider them VIPs. We need to give them something that no one else will get.
Here are a few ideas:
Start a monthly ‘ask me anything’ thread.
Live streams/live events
Special discounts
Voting on new colour options etc.
Live or pre-recorded workshops with PDF guides.
Keep content as raw as possible - less designed posts.
Invite professionals/healthcare professionals to go live in your group to hold workshops - meditations, yoga, breath-work, or just chat with you about mental health like a podcast.
Guides in the group:
If you post videos in the group/hold live events, you can add them to guides like chapters in a course. You can categorise them, too. Examples: Content creation, social media marketing, etc.
These are helpful because members can easily navigate through the videos and find them based on what they’re looking for/experiencing.
Use the events feature:
Facebook allows you to create an event in the group, and on a Facebook page. Members can interact by clicking on ‘going’ or ‘interested’. This promotes the event organically as members might jump on the bandwagon because a lot of people find that it’s something useful.
Create events for workshops, discussions, etc.
Creating the same event on your Facebook page and directing them to the group will get those member numbers up.
If you could use an extra hand with managing your Facebook group or any other social media platforms, get in touch with us. We’d love to help.
