ONE LAST THING – SOME DON’TS FOR USING FACEBOOK GROUPS
In the paragraphs above we have looked at many different uses for Facebook Groups. There are a few things I want to mention some things NOT to do with Facebook Groups…Not as extensive, byt important…
Don’t…
Schedule All Your Posts
Perhaps you are the admin or the moderator of the group…In this case, no problem (You can use tools such as Social Oomph, Edgar or Buffer for this).
Don’t do this for all posts. Instead, make some time for live engagement with members. Keep the scheduled posts for the daily posts such as words of wisdom or similar.
Don’t…
Post branded inspiration images.
If you are the admin or moderator, these are Ok as mentioned. Otherwise, do not do this, unless it is allowed. Make sure you do not post something intended for your blog (i.e. with your url link at the bottom).
I guarantee you that it does not work and is considered rude by other members and the admin people. If you insist on posting something like this, take the time to crop out the link. Remember that you are giving in a group, and not asking for anything in return. Over time, people will want to know more about your business. They’ll ask.
Don’t…
Reply to posts from other members with a comment such as “I have some ideas for you. Send me a PM!”
I do see this out there in Groups and I think it is disrespectful to the person asking the question and other members. The person asked the question publicly within the group, answer it publicly.
You can answer helpfully without giving away the farm. Respond in a meaningful way and offer actionable solutions. Others will take notice of your professionalism and you likely will get a lot more business from it.
Why? Because they see that you are a professional and they want to work with such people.
Don’t…
Share any posts coming directly from your business page.
If you have a post on your Facebook Page that covers your business, take the time to make it unique for the Facebook Group that you will share it on. Create a customized post just for that group. It looks professional…
You also will gain credibility and again, people will take more of an interest.
Don’t…
Cross-post posts to multiple groups all at once.
I have seen this more often that I care to remember. A cross-post is when you take a post that is in one group and copy and paste the exact same post to another similar niche group.
They are trying to get more engagement, feedback, and exposure. I get that. However, if you really want to gain in stature with other group members, don’t cross-post to multiple niche groups all at the same time.
Why not? I am a member of a number of related Groups. When you do that I get multiple notification messages (one for each) and you end up filling my Newsfeed with that same post 3, 4, 5, 6+ times.
Just feels like spam?
A better way is to spread the cross posts out over different times of the day. You will catch more people that want to engage and have the time to engage, and you are not choking up Newsfeeds of members of lots of groups…
Don’t…
Go For Unabashed Self Promotion.
I have seen this more than once in the time working with Groups. It is one of the most rude things ever you can do as a member of a group. Also, likely you’ll be banned for doing it.
Groups, especially public groups, are prone to spammers. You know the ones – those make a million dollars today, the forex ads, etc. These are a complete waste of time, totally. Who looks at these?
If you show up just for this kind of activity you become judged ads one of these spammers. Make the 10 minutes in your day 2-3 days each week and visit the groups you enjoy and get help from…Interact. Give advice. Answer some questions, share a post you enjoyed (written by someone else), catch up with other members…
Don’t…
Request “Feedback” When You Really Are Promoting
If the group has a day set aside for promo posting, add your request on that day and that day only. Follow the rules. No one wants to be the heavy but they will for the good of the group. Do not test them. Also be super specific on the feedback you are looking for, i.e. more images, a video advisable, what do you think is the best logo of 4, etc.
OK you have done it…You have made your way through this lengthy tutorial!
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