A yarn of Three Facebook Groups.
Facebook groups fascinate me, you may be like me and be in too many. They are a funny creature some take off like rockets and some die a slow and painful death. There is no other way to say it. For me, I have been debating whether I should set some up or not.
The big questions
- What is the purpose?
- What outcomes am I hoping to achieve?
From observation, it will take time, but originating a group gives you some control over outcomes.It is as if we want to succeed we need that clarity right from the start.
Back in May, I joined three groups, all in the same niche, here are some reflections.
Group 1, A closed group joined by way of purchasing some product from the originator. I had high hopes of increasing my knowledge base and interacting with like minded folks. It started with a hiss and a roar folks were posting, some folks were posting links, they soon departed, it was against the rules. overall there was some good value probably around the four-week mark things just dried up and slowed to a snail's pace. The interesting thing by observation is that the originator was a " launch and go, guy ", He has moved on and the group just doesn't have enough momentum to be self-sustaining. It may come around but I have my doubts.
Group 2, A closed group all you had to do is apply to join it, there were quite a few folks involved, and it seemed quite vibrant. the rules and regs were a pinned post. so I thought that it would be a cracker. There were some really good value and engagement, it was one of the ones where you drop in every day, just to check out whats going on there was a real buzz, the originators were there posting content, asking questions providing resources, real good. Then, it happened the spammers arrived, not sure why folks do that, posting with full noise as well as folks posting links, it was turning into a spam fest. Folks started pulling back. lesson learned if you are an admin nip things in the bud or else they will run away on you. The thing that has got me is that it is happening so quickly. possibly about ten weeks and it is slowly winding down fewer and fewer posts nothing happening. I can see it just closing down so to speak. If you are like me we only go where there is value, do we have time for all the skelly wags and their high jinx.
Group 3 A closed group in the marketing niche had to apply to join it by answering questions and stating experience. I answered honestly and said that I lacked experience, my thinking was that I would be lucky to be accepted. But I did, nothing ventured nothing gained and honesty is the best policy.
Well blow me down with a feather, it is going off, folks are in there posting value, asking questions, but what is really relevant is that other members are responding with really good answers or just engaging with their perspectives. Just learning so much.
Every time it slows the admins are in there, asking really relevant questions of the group, posting resources, adding files, doing a range of things to keep the momentum going and the thing is that it is. There is no one grandstanding, just like minded folks with a common interest sharing. The membership is growing it has a real vibe to it. If things are going off track the admins are in there, sorted. The group is developing its own momentum.
"With groups, it seems as if they need nourishment if they don't get that they become malnourished and enter a decline that will end up with the group just floating in a kind of suspended animation."
I have stepped back and really started thinking about the whole process. It seems that even if you are only posting or if we are originating we need to develop that overview right from the start go into it with a strategy that is aligned with the outcomes that we are trying to achieve, otherwise, it becomes rather pointless. As individual marketers, there are only so many hours and things that we can do, it is as if we need to make them all count.
Just three examples but I would imagine that this could be played out across any niche. With group 3 the originators and admins are working it with a definite purpose. Being a novice when it comes to Facebook groups and just at that point where I can see some advanatges, there are disadvantages, it would be really good to hear your thoughts.
Thank you for reading
Alex.
Recent Comments
23
Great observation, Alexander! By joining a group you have the advantage to have an audience already, but you can't control what is going on. For that you have to create your own group, spend the time to grow it and with luck it will become what you're looking for. Now, which way is better?
Thank you for commenting Eric, indeed what one is the best course of action I guess it is about outcomes. It is about creating and managing that conversation. if the group is your own then it follows that one has more control over the flow of that conversation.
Hi Alexander, spooky... I think there may some telepathy working here! I delegated this weekend to research this very topic. To decide which or if, it would be worth my while setting up either for my site! Many thanks for your valuable input to add to what I already tracked down, it's really useful, Sue :)
Just an observation Sue, it is very worth while researching where best to invest our time in terms of getting some results.
Alex - Nice post on Facebook groups. I recently started using Facebook and have joined a couple of groups in my niche. I haven't spent much time there, but I am looking forward to seeing if I can find any value. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Hi, Patrick, you are most welcome, I think that you have hit the nail on the head it is about finding that value.
I found this very interesting, Alex. I haven't joined any Facebook groups yet. What you said makes perfect sense though. If we plant a flower and then don't water it...it dies. If you start a group you will need to have a strategy and be willing to put in the time to keep it going. If not; it dies.
Hi Jeannie that is my observation, it seems to be that way all things online, we need to nurture what we are doing, thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
Thanks Alex for sharing this. Facebook groups are different animals that's for sure.
The thing about joining one is you have no control over what goes on inside and you must abide by the admins rules or like you say, you're out the door or they will close it down if it gets too crazy.
On starting your own group, I think it is the best route. You have full control over everything and you make the rules. Also, as moderator you can sort out all the crap before it hits the group.
Just my thoughts.
Blessings your way
Mike
Hi Mike many thanks for sharing your thoughts, it seems that we can create some value if we create a group and spend time building those connections and creating conversations. thank you for stopping by all the best.
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Great observations
Just looking Beth, it is fairly interesting how it all unfolds.