Business Tools Tip: Why I Love Facebook Groups

“Facebook was not originally created to be a company. It was built to accomplish a social mission – to make the world more open and connected.” – Mark Zuckerberg
 

Okay, you may think I’m cheating a little bit. This month’s tools post isn’t always seen as a tool but it absolutely is! 

Facebook Groups. Today, I am writing about how to use the ones you join to your greatest advantage, not actually starting or maintaining them.  

Facebook groups are great places to find team members, clients, resources, and answers to your questions. I belong to a lot of groups, and I’ve found all of these things and more in Facebook groups.  

Facebook groups are great places to find team members, clients, resources, and answers to your questions. Click To Tweet

Why you might join Facebook Groups: 

• To find clients 
• Network in your industry 
• Find team members 
• Help others in your industry 
• Get answers to questions 
• Discover new resources and tools that make your life easier and your business more successful 
• Find out what your audience/industry needs and is looking for so you can address those in your content, products, and services 
• Find speaking and guest posting opportunities 
• Stay up to date on new laws and technology

How to find Facebook groups: 

To find great groups, you can simply do a Google search for groups in your industry or search keywords directly in Facebook. For example, if you’re a realtor, do a Google search for Facebook groups for realtors or home buyers. Simple!  

You can also ask around. Ask colleagues and clients what groups they’re in and check them out! Ask in the groups you’re already in for recommendations for groups you’re looking for.  

My favorite Facebook groups are either paid groups or groups associated with a course I’ve taken. Don’t get me wrong, there are tons of great free groups, but I find that people tend to be way more invested in a group when they’ve paid to be there.  

If you’ve invested in a course that has a private Facebook group, use it! That’s where I have found team members and clients. 

Free groups are also awesome, but I’ve found that a lot of people are just there to sell stuff or find free junk and waste everyone’s time. Not all groups are like this, and a lot of moderators work hard to keep the groups free of stuff like this. Be selective. 

How to use Facebook groups to the max  

Know what you want from a Facebook group. Are you looking for clients? Referrals? Team members? Resources? A place to vent when you’re frustrated? A combination of those? Keep this in mind when you’re choosing groups to join and as you interact. That'll help you stay focused instead of falling down rabbit holes.

Look into paid groups, or groups that come with a paid course. I much prefer paid groups, because the people who are willing to invest seem to be a bit more serious about their businesses! You’re more likely to find paying clients in there, and people who really know what they’re doing.

Be active & consistent. You can’t just disappear for six months. Well, you can, but you’ll have to rebuild trust and relationships from scratch. It's kind of like neglecting your list.

Help first. Take a little time each day to look at questions people have, and be helpful! If you have an answer or a resource, share it! People will be more likely to recognize you and trust you, and you’ll be more likely to get good help when you need it.  

Practice good Facebook etiquette. Don’t use all caps, don’t be rude, and don’t send someone a direct message unless you ask or if they specifically ask for a message. Make sure to read the group rules before posting.  

Make friends. Don’t just be there for you. Notice other people, praise them, encourage them, and notice who you really click with and would like to get to know better.  

 

Facebook groups have been a serious boon to my business, so make sure to check them out! They’re not for everyone, but I’ve found so many great resources there. If you haven’t tried them and are looking for ways to expand your business, it’s worth a shot.  

Sometime soon I’ll revisit the topic and talk about starting or maintaining your own Facebook Group.