How to use Facebook groups for your Business
Are you looking for a new way to connect with your audience on Facebook? It may be time to consider using Facebook groups.
Facebook groups offer a way for people to connect with businesses, brands and organisations that they consider important. Facebook groups are a place for collective communication, where people with a shared interest can voice their opinion. With more than a billion active users per month (that’s more than half of Facebook’s entire user base), Facebook groups are dominating the online social spectrum.
What does this mean for your business? Let’s take a look at how you can use a Facebook group to reach more users, boost your business and build stronger relationships with your customers.
Why use a Facebook Group for Business?
Besides tapping into a growing base of users, a Facebook group is a place where you can focus on communicating directly with your customers. It lets you hear and respond to your brand’s most passionate followers while sharing content that resonates beyond traditional corporate marketing.
A Facebook group helps establish long-lasting relationships with your audience. The trust and loyalty that can develop as a result of those relationships are priceless.
The Difference Between Facebook Pages and Facebook Groups
Your business likely has a Facebook page already. This is your brand’s homepage on Facebook- a designated site that contains the most useful information and content regarding your business. Similar to a personal Facebook page, your Business page is mostly self-promotional. A Facebook group, on the other hand, is similar to a club or fan site. Dedicated customers can follow your group, which often contains unique content, promotions, and activities that aren’t necessarily public and shared on your Facebook page. As Facebook puts it, groups “are great for getting things done and staying in touch with just the people you want.”
It’s important to note how users receive information from pages and groups. Content on your Facebook page can show up in the news-feed of your followers, while content shared on your Facebook group is only seen by the members of that group.
How to Use Facebook Groups for Business
Communicate with customers:
Your Facebook group could specialise as a customer service hub, where members can ask important questions and receive instant expert advice. Or, you can create a group designed to poll and survey dedicated users, which allows you to receive critical feedback that can help your business grow.
Just make sure you have the bandwidth to quickly respond to any questions or complaints that come your way, otherwise, the quality of your Facebook group will begin to deteriorate.
Utilise helpful data:
With Facebook’s group analytics, you can track important habits and trends displayed by your group users. You can then take that knowledge to create captivating content that resonates with a larger audience. You can also track important conversations as they emerge, giving you a better sense of what appeals to your fans and how best to respond.
Foster a community:
Your group is a place for customers. As more people seek a place where they can ask questions, share stories and receive advice, you’ll need to ensure your group remains inclusive and engaging. Answer questions, share thoughtful and relevant content and help your customers in any way possible.
As your community grows, so will your brand’s influence and position.
Avoid self-promotion and eliminate spam:
Finally, remember that a Facebook group (and in many ways a Facebook page) isn’t meant for gratuitous self-promotion. Customers follow Facebook groups for expert advice and helpful content, not an endless bombardment of advertisements and promotional materials.
Worse yet, even if you aren’t self-promoting, others may be using your group to sell their website or business to your fans. Set clear rules from the beginning that spam won’t be tolerated. Otherwise, you may find yourself quickly overrun by annoying announcements.
Creating a Facebook Group is just the Start
If you haven’t established a Facebook page or group for your business, now’s the time to consider adding one to your social marketing strategy. With a Facebook group, you can begin to lay a foundation for a positive community that will continue to support your business—as long as you support it back. Good luck!
If you're still not sure whether a Facebook group is right for your business or if you have one and are struggling to create a good level of engagement with your community, speak to BabbleHub TODAY for a FREE consultation to help your group grow!
