Facebook Groups? Yes! If you have time.

Starting a Facebook Group is a GREAT way to connect with your customers and let them start conversations around topics pertinent to your business. If this is something you're thinking about, I say go for it! My biggest word of advice? Make sure you can dedicate the time! You will need to jump in to answer questions, comment on posts, respond to violation flags from members, and accept new members if your group is private. Here are few benefits to starting a Facebook Group ... 

Benefits of starting a Facebook Group

Here are few reasons why you might want to give it a shot. 

• Connect with super-fans
• Build brand advocates
• Establish expertise
• Engage consistently
• Collect ideas for content
• Needs assessment for your business
• Stay connected with clients who aren’t able to convert yet

Types of Groups

Put some thought into how you want your group set up. A public group can grow quickly but you will eventually start picking up people who might bring your vibe down by being negative and you'll also get more trolls (ugh). A private group won't grow as fast but you can have FULL control over who joins. You can even ask them pre-qualifying questions ahead of time to make sure they're a good fit.  

Types of Groups: 
Public: anyone can see who’s in the group and what they post.
Private: only members can see who’s in the group and what they post.
 
RECOMMENDED:
For businesses using Facebook groups to interact with customers, private is the best option. This allows your audience to be more open (knowing not just anyone can view what they post) and it prevents spammers and bots from joining and ruining your conversation.  

Process of Joining

Ok, so how do you get members to join? Start inviting them!
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INVITE MEMBERS:
With a private group, you’ll want to invite members. You can invite them via email, on your social platforms, when they’re in the office, etc.
 
ASK THEM TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FIRST:
One way to make sure they’re ready to be engaged (and lessen the chances of a bot) is to have them answer pre-admission questions before joining. Questions like:

• Why do you want to join?
• How did you hear about our group?
• What’s your biggest challenge in [what fits your industry]?

 
This allows you to collect a bit of information for your own tracking, but also forces engagement right away.

Rules & Code of Conduct

You must include rules or a code of conduct that members need to accept before joining. This keeps your Group open, welcoming and provides a safe atmosphere.
 
Here are some common rules or policies that groups use ...

• No self-promotion, spam or advertising. (You can add “without running it by the admins or moderators first.” If you’re ok allowing some of this.)
• If this group membership is part of a service, then make it clear that they’re membership will be canceled after the other service is over.
• Respect others, no hate speech or bullying, no abusive language, no politics
• Respect everyone’s privacy. Don’t share any information, including screenshots, from this group as we are providing a safe, confidential environment 

Roll of a Moderator

The biggest tasks of group moderators include ...

• Making sure the content posted and the members are not violating the groups rules and policies. You may have to delete spam and other unwanted content.
• Adding/Removing members as needed. This includes approving member requests and removing those who continually break the rules.
• Reviewing content that has been flagged for review by other users.
• Posting conversation starters, polls, questions, etc.
• Replying to comments from other members to keep the conversation going and to let them know their contribution is valued. 

Policing a Group

 Continually policing the group will help keep the group positive and open. You may need to ...

• Temporarily block a member who might need to cool off.
• Permanently remove an offending member.
• Turn off commenting on a post if comments are getting heated and controversial.
• Remove member and delete all of their past posts.

Next Step: Start Your Group!

Come up with engagement ideas (polls, questions, etc.) so you're ready to start conversations and then get your Group started! Comment below with a link to your group if you'd like to have us join!