How to Use Facebook Groups for Business
Using Facebook groups for business is an incredibly effective way to create a community around your brand.
Why would you want to do that? Well, people in engaged communities tend to return to you for products or services. And they refer their friends. In other words, a strong Facebook group can boost loyalty.
Assuming you’d like to cultivate a team of folks like that—a bunch of people who are in love with your brand!—let’s talk through how to create and run a Facebook group for your business.
Know what kind of group you’re starting
If you run a service-based business, create a group of past clients or a close group of people interested in your services. This group will be the first to know about special deals, the first ones you go to for feedback and will be eligible for loyalty-based perks. The most effective strategy is to try to grow your one-off clients, for instance, into retainer clients. These groups tend to be a little more intimate.
If you run a product-based business, create a group of your most engaged fans and employees. These are the folks you’ll poll first for opinions and ideas. They’ll get an exclusive connection to your brand and act as a booster group. These groups can get really big. The more, the merrier!
Whichever type of group you run, be sure to make it clear in the terms who the group is and is not and construct group guidelines from the get-go.
Give them exclusive content & access
So, what happens in a business Facebook group? Nurturing and exclusive access.
You can do all kinds of things to let your members in on the action so they feel—and truly become—part of your brand. Here are some ideas:
Give them early access to product sales. Announce the sale to the group and give them an exclusive window so they can buy first and have a shot at your most popular or limited items.
Get advice on what they’d like to see you create next. Ask them to vote on a design, give you suggestions for a new product or service, or feedback on how they like a new aspect of your marketing.
Give away something for free, like a gift card or a consultation session. Make the drawing open only to members of the group. By making these giveaways unavailable to the public, you create a sense of community.
Celebrate with them! If you rebrand, reveal your new look to them before anyone else. If you’re recognized in your industry, announce it to your group first.
Create a flash sale that’s only for the group. Announce it beforehand and make it clear that it’s only for loyal members.
Invite them to boost your brand online. Announce your most recent public post and ask them to share, like and comment on it. This is an authentic way for people to be involved and hack the Facebook algorithm together!
Create a once-a-week tip or other engagement that your members can count on, such as a Live every Thursday at noon to highlight new products or a Friday Highlight to shout out some of your most valuable members.
Get in on other groups to learn more
While you’re running your own group, make sure you’re also a member of educational and informational Facebook groups through your business page. As you engage with other businesses through their groups, you’ll learn what it’s like to be a member and build authority in your industry. Being a member will help you keep your group fresh by sparking new ideas for community engagement.
Want to know more about Facebook for business? Check out 8 Steps to an Engaging Facebook Business Page!
