With over 1.8 billion people participating in Facebook Groups, it’s no surprise the social media platform is continuing to put a focus on the user experience in Groups. There are many ways brands and businesses are using Facebook Groups, but it’s important to remember there must be value in it for your audience. Let’s dive into how you can provide value through Facebook Groups!
Engage in real conversations
With most Facebook Groups requiring entry questions and qualifications to join, it makes it easier to create a niche environment for people with similar interests. For example, if your group is for college alumni, they might ask for your student ID so they can cross-check to confirm you are actually an alumni. Now, why is this important? This ensures your audience is genuine and there to discuss the topics your group is planning to focus on. Every member is going to feel welcome and comfortable to have real conversations with people who are just like them. This is where Facebook Groups really shines and provides that genuine space for people.
Group admin tip: There are a couple of different entry questions that you should ask pending members. This includes their email address if they agree to your community rules and guidelines, and one question that can prove they aren’t a bot (something related to your group in some way).
Share resources
As we all know, Facebook has become somewhat of a content re-sharing app vs original content creation like updating your status about how your day went. Your feed probably looks like shared videos, promoted ads, and those neverending memes, but the beauty of Facebook Groups is the content you can view and engage with. Resources have become a huge part of social media in general over the past year or so. Sharing resources is a great way to enact real change and educate your audience on something they might not have too much information on already. For example, Sarah is a single mom in a local single moms support group on Facebook. Sarah posts a link to a website she uses to find a babysitter. Three other women also find a babysitter and thank her for sharing the resource. By sharing this resource to her private group she was able to provide actual value to the other members of the Facebook Group. As a group admin for this page, make it known to your audience that resources are welcome and encouraged.
Group admin tip: You can elevate Sarah’s post even more by marking it as an announcement or even making Sarah a group expert so she can become a trusted member of the group.
Ensure safety with community management
It’s no surprise that the internet can be a very negative place depending on who you’re engaging with. In order to protect the members of your Facebook Group, it’s essential to have a community management strategy in place. Not only does this ensure members’ safety but keeps your group up and running which in turn will continue to provide value to your audience. For example: If someone continues to ignore your community guidelines, you have the ability to block or even mute them from ever engaging in the group again. Your group should be a safe space for people to discuss and engage with others in a positive way, not a place that is scary or offensive.
Group admin tip: Monitor new posts and comments multiple times a day to ensure nothing negative or inappropriate slips through the cracks. As a group admin, you also have the ability to turn on post approvals where you can either approve or decline posts into the group – helping you avoid anything you don’t want to be posted in the group.
Use these tips to ensure your Facebook Group is providing value to your exclusive audience. Whether it be through community management, resources, or exclusivity, all your group needs is to positively engage your followers on a daily basis.
If you would like help with social media management, feel free to contact us. We offer a variety of services like digital marketing & analytics, marketing & brand strategy, and more to small and large companies.
