Are you using a Facebook Group for your small business? If you’re not, it’s well worth considering for a number of reasons. Apart from Facebook Pages, I manage a number of Facebook Groups as well. The main difference between a page and a group is that a group is a more intimate, smaller forum which allows people to share their opinions and be surrounded by like-minded individuals. If you want to start a Facebook Group, but you’re not sure how you would use it for your business, I’ve outlined four suggestions for you:
Staff Communications
Businesses use groups as a form of communication with their staff. It is an effective way of posting business news, updates and rosters. Get your staff to download the ‘Groups’ app and it serves as a quick and efficient way of communicating only with staff. You can upload photos, videos, run a poll or upload documents.
Organise Events
In much the same way as people use groups to communicate with staff, it is equally effective in its use of organizing an event. You can use this personally or professionally. I have a Facebook Group that I have created for the secondhand markets I run in Paddington, Brisbane. All of the volunteers are members of this group and it is a great way for me to delegate tasks and notify them of any updates. I look back on my university days and would have loved to have had Facebook Groups!
Add Value For Customers
Create a group for your customers. Invite them to join via email and answer questions from your customers or share behind the scenes glimpses into your business.
If you have a business that provides classes, creating a group for particular classes is also beneficial. You can use this group to let people know if anyone is away sick, if there are any timetable changes, or to remind people to bring certain things to class etc.
Create Your Community
Creating your own Facebook Group is a great way to create your own community. Don’t make everything about you and your business. Cultivate an environment where your followers can ask questions and share experiences. Not only will this foster relationships between you and your followers, but it will also allow your advocates to connect with each other.
What other ways have you found for using a Facebook Group?
Hardcastle Social Media is an independent social media consultancy based in Inner Brisbane. We provide strategic social media marketing to organisations of all sizes. Specialising in Facebook business page management we provide services from setting up your Facebook business page through to total management of your current page. Contact us today on 0401 505 423 or info@hardcastlesocialmedia.com.au. We offer expert social media advice and look forward to discussing your business needs.