Jun
27
10 Tips for Maximizing Facebook Groups
Filed Under Facebook, Networking and Marketing Strategy, Social Media and Social Networking Sites
I recently discussed Facebook Groups as Alternatives to Ning Sites from a group creator’s vantage point. Here I look at ways you can get the most out of your Facebook Groups from a general member’s point of view.
Facebook groups are great for meeting new people and sharing your ideas and content. Facebook groups can also help you brand yourself if you use them right.
Following are 10 tips for maximizing your Facebook groups participation:
- Join Facebook groups with the intention of gaining the maximum possible benefit from each group. Do not just click “Join” merely to display interest in a subject or cause.
- Be prepared to give at least as much to the group as you receive, and in the end you’ll probably receive more than you gave.
- Abide by each group’s preferences. Look to see whether discussion is taking place on a group’s Wall or on its Discussion Tab.
- Visit your Facebook groups frequently, as your groups’ updates don’t appear in your news feed and may have insufficient EdgeRank to be appear if and when Facebook allows group content to show up in news feeds.
- Comment on your groups’ updates and join the conversation. You may disagree with another member’s content or opinion, but please, exercise restraint and comment with respect for that person and the group. Sometimes it may be better to send a private message rather than discuss a delicate or personal matter in public.
- Add new content to your Facebook groups that will interest other members and stimulate conversation. Include your personal take on the content.
- Post your own content if it’s relevant, but don’t post your content exclusively, and be very careful not to spam the group.
- Invite your friends to join the Facebook groups you belong to. Use your Wall, a group’s “Invite People to Join” link or private messages. However, only extend appropriate direct invitations. I’ve been extra careful when inviting people to join the Fabulous Baby Boomers Facebook group, because I don’t want to insult them in case they’re too young to be boomers.
- Invite group members to be Facebook friends if and when it seems like a good idea. In the invite message, remind them how you know them.
- Expect to receive bulletins from your Facebook groups. If your groups hold a Facebook Event or even an off-site event, do your best to participate.
These are Facebook groups I’ve created:
- Fabulous Baby Boomers - I’m a Baby Boomer. I admit it. This Facebook group is recommended for people who were born between 1943 and 1964 — or who wish they had been. Join us for a good mixture of fun and business.
- Enterprising Business Leaders - This Facebook group is for entrepreneurs and business leaders from all business sectors including not-for-profit.
- Social Media Enthusiasts - This Facebook group is for social media evangelists and enthusiasts at all levels of experience and skill.
Once again, if you have or will have a Facebook group, tell us about it in a comment below. You can also share whatever else you desire. 
Oh, and before I forget, my new blog, Optimize Your Web Presence, is already up and running. 
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This is very timely for me, I just decided to set up a new Facebook page and try to get more active. I sent you a request to join your Social Networking Group and hope to learn more.
Great article!! It truly is important to participate in the groups we join, and it’s important to add good content to the groups we create ourselves. It’s also important to send a message to all members on a weekly or monthly basis to keep them involved in the group.
Personally, I have groups on Facebook that are all about fitness and health, since that is my passion. One of them is called Fit and Healthy for Life and I send out the fitness tip of the week on Sunday or Monday to all members.
I also have a fitness group for Christians called Healthy to the Glory of God, a group for those who are looking to get fit and make a business out of it, and a group that supports those that are on my Young Living team. I love it!! I post new relevant content all the time.
I love staying involved since I love encouraging and helping people all around the world to get fit and healthy for life.
Thank you Mirdza.
If you’re interested in fitness, you can join Mirdza’s group, Fit and Healthy for Life.
Hi Larry, Yes, I have a Facebook group with over 2600 members - Small business on the web.
Are you able to invite me to your new group? Because I couldn’t join more.
Thanks Larry.
Larry-
Very useful information. I ran a network on Ryze for years that was very successful, but I found there as well that the vast majority of people would join and then just lurk. Those that contributed got a lot of good from the interaction. I guess I never did understand why someone would bother to join a group and then not contribute. I guess that is human nature for you.
Since that point we have disbanded the Ryze network and made an attempt to move over to a group over at Facebook, but have yet for it to really catch on like the Ryze network did.
@Cherry I can’t invite you because your friends are maxed out, and you need to be a friend for me to invite you.
@Chris If you want, you can share your group here.
Thank you Larry. You always bring such good and timely information to us. This was especially good for me.
I must admit to you and myself…I was guilty of being one who just clicked. Now, I know what I must do…clean out my groups, get rid of ones I’m not interested in and get busy participating in the ones I am.
The way you present this information is received in a teaching manner and not a negative manner at all,,,thank you!
Carla J Gardiner
CarlaJGardiner.com
Carla,
Hope you won’t be unjoining any of my groups.
Hi Larry!
Great advice- now I just need another 4 hours a day! LOL
You’re exaggerating Robin. Three more hours a day should be enough. LOL
I’ve stopped accepting Friend Requests via Facebook, after it became apparent some individuals were phishing for information, while other people who are actual friends of mine, compromised my Facebook account because they were hosting a “parasite” who was trying to extract information about myself and other friends using the service.
Good points Larry. I have a question. How does one prevent getting overwhelmed with social contacts? This is perhaps the biggest reason that I haven’t engaged more in social media sites. I am part of other types of business networking sites like Swom and keeping pace with various skype room chat groups and forums. I can hardly keep pace with it all. I guess one has to prioritize where to engage one’s time and energy, but any thoughts you might have on this would be great.
I strongly agree Anne that prioritization is key. A while back I addressed the issue in The 80/20 Rule and in The 80/20 Rule and Social Media.
In social media marketing, your prioritization needs to be based on your overall marketing strategy. Don’t let tactics drive strategy. Strategy must precede tactics.
Thanks for the nice tips on Facebook!
Thanks for the nice tips on Facebook!
There are millions or even billions of people who are using Facebook and all of them have the same or different interests. In creating a group in Facebook, you will be able to filter which group of people have the same interest. This article will even make it better since it will allow you to give a better preview and introduction to the group that you will create in Facebook. This is a really good help for people who are making groups in Facebook.
Keep it up!
Alex
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