I just love Facebook groups!
I enjoy the conversations, the feeling of belonging, and connecting with people who have the same interests or challenges.
It feels good to have a community of people who get it. Who are just a message away if you need advice, and will be there to inspire you when you’re down or celebrate with you when you succeed.
Facebook Groups have been growing in popularity though 2020 and 2021.
And with the introduction of more tools for group admins, such as Admin Assist, they’re now even easier to manage.
In a recent announcement, Facebook also revealed that there will be a heavy focus on groups going forward. This is great news for group owners and group goers!
So what are Facebook groups used for?
You’ll tend to find that most groups are niche specific, giving you a place to get support, connect and converse over a common interest or goal.
There are small and large communities, which are either Private or Public. Some are closed to paid members (who are part of an external paid membership) and some are free.
If you use or have used Facebook at all, I’m pretty certain you’ve been in a group or two by now.
When I started freelancing I got fairly obsessed with all the different groups.
At one point I was in over 100… that got overwhelming fast 
Now I focus on the groups I enjoy most.
How do you decide what groups to join?
What’s your objective? If you’re joining groups specifically to get new clients, then this may not be the quickest way to do so.
That doesn’t mean you won’t get any, I got many of my first clients from Facebook groups.
Start by getting clear on why you want to be a part of that community.
Is it to get advice and learn from others? Is it to make connections and find people to collaborate with? Is to help others and make friends? Is it for market research? Is it to find clients?
Questions to think about:
- Who would you like to connect with?
- What would you need support or advice on?
- Can I add value to this group?
- Can I help people in this group?
- What is the vibe in the group?
- Is this the best group for me?
Find groups that are a good fit. There are business groups, hobby group, local groups and many other types.
These are all great places to connect, get support and potentially find clients.
But as I said, using groups to get clients takes time.Â
That’s because to use Facebook groups effectively, you need to build trust and become known as an authority… just like you would on any social media platform.
The great thing about groups though, is that because they are smaller communities (especially compared to LinkedIn for example), it doesn’t take as long to become known.
How to Stand Out & Become Known in Facebook Groups
1. Optimise Your Group Profile & Personal Profile
Optimise Your Group Profile
Did you know that in every group you’re a member of you have a dedicated group profile?
When inside the group click on your profile image. This will open your group profile first.
Here you’ll see ‘Edit Profile’. Where you can add a bio, select the profile details you would like to show, and edit badges (if enable in the group).
When someone clicks on this they will also see how long you’ve been a member and the content you have shared.
You can edit your group profile on mobile and desktop.
If someone wants to find out more they might click through to your personal profile.
Optimising Your Personal Profile
I don’t know how many times I’ve clicked on a person profile and can’t find anything about what they do.
If you are using groups to elevate your personal brand, this is the first step you need to take.
Here are 5 steps to optimise your Facebook personal profile:
- Add a bio – Use the bio to introduce who you help and why (Include a link, as this is clickable on desktop!).
- Update your Work – List your title and link to your Facebook Page.
- Update your Education details – This is great if you have education that is relevant to what you do.
- Update your Links – Add links to your social channels and website (and your group!).
- Set your profile to private – It you use your personal profile for personal things that you don’t want potential clients to see, then make sure to set your profile to private.
2. Establish Yourself as an Expert by Answering Questions
One of the worst things you can do in a group is spam the group with irrelevant or promotional content.
Instead, demonstrate your knowledge and expertise by being helpful and answering questions.
As time goes on, members will get to know you, see you as valued community member and an expert in what you do. When they do, they will be more likely recommend you.
3. Connect to Build Friendships or Collaborate (Don’t just focus on finding clients)
Get to know people. Remember what they do and what their expertise is. Recommend them if someone is asking for help in their area of expertise.
This shows you are someone who is a part of the community, who is considerate and supportive of others.
4. Contribute By Giving Not Just Taking
Answer other peoples questions. Don’t be the one who is always posting (even if it’s to share tips and advice), but never contributes to answer questions.
5. Respect the Rules… and the Admins and Moderators
Many business groups have similar rules such as no spam, no promotional content, no links etc.
They are there to help cultivate the right culture and ensure the group is a positive and friendly place.
Respect the rule and don’t argue with the admins or moderators if they feel your content is not the right fit.
6. Use the Themed Posts (If the group has them)
A lot of groups will facilitate more promotional content in specific themed posts or threads, or on specific days.
These are a great way to connect with others and promote yourself within the rules of the group.
7. Post Valuable Content that Engages
Before you posti, think about what the group is about and who it is for. Make sure your content is relevant. If you’re ever in doubt, observe the types of content you see in the group before you post.
Like on any social media channel, it’s all about engagement, so ask questions to start conversations. And don’t forget to come back and reply to comments! Thank those who give you advice or feedback.
Things that Will Negatively Impact Your Brand in Facebook Groups
- Being aggressive, disrespectful or argumentative with members
- Sharing content that’s totally off-topic and not relevant to the group
- Naming and shaming others who you’ve had a negative experience with
- Arguing with admins or moderators about content that’s been removed
- Constantly try to ‘subtly’ promote yourself rather than getting to know people, adding value and being helpful
- Being hateful or creating controversy
- Private messaging people without permission
Just keep in mind, if you go too far you’ll likely get kicked out and banned.
Cultivating Facebook Group Culture
Creating the right culture in a group isn’t easy. Admins and moderators are there to ensure the group stays a positive place that members enjoy.
However, it isn’t just on the admins and moderators to cultivate the right culture for the group. It’s also on us as members to create the vibe of an inviting and friendly place. To build a true community.
By respecting the rules, getting involved and being considerate, a group will thrive and benefit everyone.
So keep this in mind as you use groups, for business or for fun.
Tell me what you love and hate about Facebook Groups in the comments.
