Feeling rejected by Facebook, lesson in roller coaster life here.
My method of posting to Facebook groups may not work out much longer. I see the admins on the group I post to most often issued a warning that if you sell or promote anything you will be banned! Well that is a first. I had no problems and they have never contacted me. I never just posted a link or ad. I always answered a specific question with specific suggestions that I have used myself on my own cats! I would post a link to my site with a review of that product as well.
Hmmm, maybe it really isn't worth the trouble and time. I do it mostly to help these poor, desperate people in the midst of dealing with awful situations with their cats. They have multiple rescued cats that don't get along or one starts misbehaving and peeing or scratching everywhere. They are desperate for solutions as they face their house being destroyed, thousands of dollars of damage or getting rid of the pets!
Or they may not have the money to take their pet to the vet and want some way to help them etc. etc. Many people have said thank you so much, you helped so much!
I will continue once in a while and just tell them the products so they can get help without posted my links. I won't make any money but who knows, at least I can help.
It is a bummer though. I was helping people and their pets and getting some website traffic. I did not post links in groups that specifically did not allow it. There are groups were you can sell any cat product. I tried posting to those but they are more shopping sites not for health and behavior problems. They are selling T shirts, sunglasses and coffee mugs.
Oh well. I can spend more time writing content for my site like I have been getting back to anyway!
This is a good lesson in the ups and downs of this roller coaster of web business.
I hope your day worked out better than mine.
Jessica
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Hi Jessica,
I have been blocked and suspended twice by FB for sharing my latest post with groups I have joined. Three of my groups have blocked me from posting also, they just want chit chat.
John
I would say you should start your own group...That way you set the rules, you can focus on your content and solutions, let others know what they can expect in your group, etc.
In the IM world, there are a lot of private groups that I am a member of, and in these groups, I do not add in links, etc., rather use them to add useful comments...
Over time, as you make sense with your input or feedback, people will get to know you a bit and want to know more...I have added more than a few friends as a result of this, and of course, hope they get to some of the Facebook Pages and Groups as well...
I do understand your frustration and hope that you can attempt a slightly different approach to the opportunities Groups offer...It is not hard to set a group up, and I am sure you will get a following quickly...
Cheers!
Dave : )
Thanks Dave. I thought from your posts/training recently and my own experience that a page would be more appropriate than a group (though I understand group conversions are higher).
Not sure which direction I want to go ultimately, but focusing on adding content for organic searches will come first.
Thank you,
Jessica
FB Pages are more one sided communication - you to "them." Groups are better for 2-way communication. I do both in some instances. But, I agree, sounds like the Group is the way to go for you; create one, and be honest about the fact that you're making a little extra money with what you recommend, but it doesn't cost them any difference. And if you don't want others to post their referral links for their recommendations, say that, too, in the Group description. It's your Group, you make the rules (after FB's rules are adhered to, of course).
I've done many of both Pages and Groups on FB. I won't call myself an expert, but I'll help you figure it out if you want to pick my brain. :)
Thanks I appreciate that! I am not sure if I will be getting to that creating one right away but I will definitely keep you in mind!
Jessica
That's tough Jessica but I think Neil has good advice below. Also, your niche would be well suited to Instagram. I tried FB groups but most of the time my posts weren't approved. I just rely mainly on organic traffic these days unless I see an opportunity for PPC.
Yes, I think in the big picture I need to focus on organic. I have good conversion rates with organic anyway.
Hang in there. You are doing your best, and that is commendable. You are helping people, and that is noble. Keep up the good work.
Why don't you set up a FB fan page, share it within the groups and gain a bunch of followers. Then you're free to share your blog posts whenever you choose with your followers. ;)
It sure beats being dictated to by group admins.
Yes, that is a possibility. It is so annoying since I NEVER just posted a link to my site or posts. I always answered a specific question with specific information. Of course the admins have not (yet ) banned me.
They have this convoluted process where you are supposed to like the post, PM the admin and ask permission to respond to the post, wait for them to give you permission and then say exactly what they tell you to say and tag them!!!! Ok...I don't know anyone that has that kind of time! They say if you don't follow that procedure exactly, you will be banned.
I think FB is just over-rated when it comes to groups. I've never had any success from group posting in the past.
Yeah, some page admins make it difficult. Fan pages are the best way to build your authority on FB. Paid ads for your blog posts can also be effective too.
If you a build a page and add it to your blog 's sidebar, you can also capture targeted followers that way using free seo traffic.
You're welcome! :)
Oh yeah, I've also found that when posting your blog post product reviews on your fan page and using some relevant hashtags, it generates FB traffic to your posts/page because folks also use FB for searching for product reviews.
Use Ritetag.com - You can find the exact hashtags to use for generating traffic from FB. It can also work for Twitter and Instagram as well.
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This is why I've generally been reluctant to post anything in FB groups because of the threat of getting banned. As others here have said, it may be better in the long run to create your own group.
Yes, or page. I am leaning toward page at the moment since I don't have time to moderate a group.