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Facebook has been simply AMAZING to my blog!! I started my first Facebook Group, Blog Promo Community in December 2015, and just let me tell you what it has done for me in one short month!
- It has launched my blog from nothing to something growing my blog’s traffic exponentially in one month
- I have a tribe of wonderful bloggers who I speak with on a daily basis
- It’s given me an opportunity to see what my audience really wants and needs
- It’s helped to position me as a blogging thought leader
- It has allowed me to collaborate with 4 bloggers (in just one month!!!)
- I have learned more in this past month than I have in years of blogging
- It grew my email list from 45 to over 300 subscribers (in one month I remind you…)
If that isn’t enough to convince you, I also have over 500 people in both my Facebook groups (I have two) AND and my Blog Promo Community is continuing to grow rapidly at about 10-20 new members each day.
I have to be honest…I love my Facebook peeps. We’re WAY closer than my email list (but I’m working on that). I just get so much interaction with my people on Facebook that I feel like I cannot get anywhere else!
I’m working on my very first paid products, a mastermind site, and a bloggers network and I just know that my Facebook people are going to be right there with me when I launch these products.
A Facebook group can be the first part of your sales funnel and successful bloggers Cassie Howard from Babes in Business and Jill Stanton from Screw the 9-5 Community (two of my fav Facebook groups!!) have attested that starting and growing a Facebook group was the BEST thing they did for their business.
Let me tell you what a Facebook group can do for you:
- Be a way to validate product ideas
- Be a funnel for future clients and customers
- Serve as a huge value-add for your audience
- Help you establish online visibility for your blog and your brand
- Help you gain sponsorship opportunities
In short, a thriving Facebook Community = $$$
How to Create a Kick-Ass Facebook Community
Join a couple of Facebook groups you’re interested in
So first you want to join some Facebook groups so you can see how they work. To do this, all you have to is search for a term like “blogging groups” in the search bar at the top of your Facebook page.
Talk with people, see how the admin (owner of the group) operates, what they post, how they speak to people, etc. Notice that most successful groups have 4 things:
- Themed Days – There has to be some consistency with your Facebook groups otherwise people aren’t going to know what to look forward to. The themes can be based on your group’s topic. If you’re a productivity coach, you could do ‘Motivational Monday’, Tips Tuesday’…you get the drift.
- Consistent interaction – You will notice that the best Facebook groups have the most interaction from both admins and group members. There’s consistent posting all day long. People are not just promoting their stuff, and everyone is genuinely contributing to the group!
- Value added by the admin – For you to establish all those good at the beginning of this post, you have to be visible on a daily basis. You do this by posting and responding to comments every single day. That doesn’t mean that you have to be on Facebook all day every day. You can schedule posts to your Facebook groups using Hootsuite’s premium account (it’s $14 per month). Schedule posts at least 2x per day and don’t just promote your stuff–actually add value by giving tips.
- Rules – You have to have rules to keep order and spammers at bay! Post your rules in your description and at the top of your group’s wall. You want to keep the group focused on adding value to one another, not trying to ‘get something’ from one another.
Pick a Topic that’s really niched or hasn’t been done before (or well)
The key to having people want to join your group is to pick a topic that is popular or really niched. Do a search to see what your competition is. Join the groups and see if they’re really interactive or if they’re dead. My group is all about blog promotion and growth so naturally any blogger would be attracted to this type of group.
A good example is Instagram expert Robin Smith‘s Facebook group which is completely dedicated to learning how to use and grow your Instagram account. She posts consistently and adds value all day every day! This niched group has grown rapidly since she started it and continues to grow every single day.
Promote your group
At first, you’re going to have to promote the hell out of your group to get people to join. Use these tactics to grow your Facebook group quickly.
- Other Facebook Groups
- Challenges (this is the quickest way to grow your email list)
- Email List
- A separate page on your blog
- Promote it on Twitter
Ask your members to help you grow your group
And last but not least, ask your members to help you grow your group! Having other people help you grow your group can help it grow in a short amount of time.
I asked my members once to help me grow the community and in a blink of an eye I had 50 new members! It’s definitely worth a shot to ask.
Do you have a Facebook group or are you a part of one? What was your experience–good or bad? Tell me in the comments below!
Thank you for reading day 22 of my 30 Day Blogging Challenge!!! Make sure to post your article in the Facebook group and if you haven’t joined my blogging challenge yet and would like to be a part of it,check this out!
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My name is Amanda and I'm a biz coach for creative entrepreneurs who want to build an authentic business that they love. I'll help you get clear on your purpose, values, mindset, and business strategies that'll help you create a business that offers you true freedom not a "I work 12 hours a day" freedom! Schedule your 30 minute strategy session with me today.
Jeanette
January 28, 2016 at 4:24 am (9 years ago)I have a group and I am apart of several. Let’s start with the bad. I have trouble getting people to interact consostiently so it becomes discouraging and then I become inconsistent. Most groups I am in are really good they meet most everything you describe above. I will have to evaluate mine based on the list and see how I can improve. I definitely have lost interest in groups that hv no structure and are a free for all spam self promotion whenever. The organizer is not involved. Great Post thanks for sharing!
proassistblog
January 29, 2016 at 2:06 am (9 years ago)Yes, getting people to interact is the hardest part of organizing a group. It’s best just to talk to people, not at them. So for example, give your followers an experience you had and ask them if they ever had a similar experience. Do it without asking or wanting anything from them–just a normal convo between friends (or strangers). That is what gets people warmed up and comfortable. Good luck and thank you for reading!
Mary, Living a Sunshine Life
January 28, 2016 at 7:00 pm (9 years ago)Excellent tips! You’ve given me a few ideas on things to start brainstorming. Great things are happening in 2016!!
proassistblog
January 29, 2016 at 1:21 am (9 years ago)Yay! Thanks for stopping by Mary!
Jenna
February 3, 2016 at 6:58 pm (9 years ago)Thank you for the tips. I’ve only been blogging a couple weeks now, so this is great information for the future!
proassistblog
February 3, 2016 at 7:34 pm (9 years ago)Awesome! Keep going! Thanks for stopping by!
Inez
February 3, 2016 at 7:19 pm (9 years ago)I am in a few blogging groups and have toyed with the idea of starting my own. I must say, as a tired mommy of an infant, I absolutely love that your group doesn’t require too much of members! I love connecting with other bloggers but when a thread has 50+ posts that I have to look through and do some type of action it gets overwhelming. I really like your style. I feel like you promote true community by encouraging people to find other blogs that actually interest them and connect. If I start a group, I would have a similar style. Also, some other admins I’ve seen seem like they like the power of policing people. I don’t much like that style. Thanks for this post. I think I’m one step closer to starting one!
proassistblog
February 3, 2016 at 7:33 pm (9 years ago)Thank you so much Inez! I’m flattered that you like my group (because I try hard to get you guys to like it 🙂 ) . And I HATE bossy group admins! It’s so annoying! I think you should totally start a Facebook group. It really helps to build a community around your blog without a huge amount of people. You don’t need more than a few hundred people before it starts growing on its own. Plus when you do the themed days, the members do all the work so it doesn’t take too much time to manage. I also have another admin that helps me delete user and inappropriate posts which really helps me manage the group. Thanks for stopping by and reading!
Roy Miller
February 3, 2016 at 9:21 pm (9 years ago)Amanda, I enjoy your group. Thank you for posting this for us.
proassistblog
February 4, 2016 at 2:05 pm (9 years ago)And I enjoy you being in my group Roy! Thank you!
Suladys
February 3, 2016 at 9:42 pm (9 years ago)I totally love this! I’m on my way to start a group like right now! Haha thank you!
proassistblog
February 4, 2016 at 2:05 pm (9 years ago)Do it, do it, do it!! LOL Thanks for commenting Suladys!
Fabiola Rodriguez
February 3, 2016 at 10:21 pm (9 years ago)Well, I just have to say I really enjoy being a part of your Facebook group, so your tips should definitely be taken seriously!
proassistblog
February 4, 2016 at 2:05 pm (9 years ago)Aw thanks Fabiola! 🙂
Todd
February 4, 2016 at 2:53 am (9 years ago)Hey Amanda, this is an awesome post! I have been debating on how I was going to get new members to my new group, besides the family members that my mom made sure to invite right when I made the group..lol. These are some ideas that I have not thought of before. Thanks Amanda for sharing.
proassistblog
February 4, 2016 at 2:04 pm (9 years ago)Aww moms are seriously the biggest fans!! It takes a lot of work initially but after that first few hundred members it seems to grow on its own! Wishing you luck and thanks for commenting!
Bryce Rae
February 4, 2016 at 8:36 pm (9 years ago)I am part of many groups from blogging to Epilepsy. I have just created a group based around E-Commerce. I have promoted this in quite a few places such as Facebook & Google + but am yet to get anyone to join. I will keep trying.
proassistblog
February 5, 2016 at 1:06 am (9 years ago)What! That’s such an awesome topic though. What’s the name of it? I’ll join. Also, make sure to promote it in my Facebook group on Monday. I know you can get people to join because we all want to learn how to sell stuff online.
Logan
April 22, 2016 at 3:40 pm (9 years ago)Facebook groups have done wonders for my blog as well! It has boosted my page views, followers and so much more!
Terri Steffes
April 22, 2016 at 3:53 pm (9 years ago)Thanks, I learned a lot about what to do for my tribe. Thanks for the great tips. I hope we see more of this type of post.
Tianna
April 22, 2016 at 4:08 pm (9 years ago)what a brilliant idea! I may have to do this 😀
Mrs. AOK
April 22, 2016 at 4:19 pm (9 years ago)I’m not on Facebook as much as I should be as a blogger. I just don’t do FB, however, I’m here via FB. 😀 I totally see the pros of Facebook through Facebook groups. I need to stop being all oldschool.
Do you think a Google+ group could work the same as a Facebook Group?
I pinned this post to my Blog Tips, Tricks, and Freebies group board, thanks for the advice!
XOXO
proassistblog
April 22, 2016 at 5:54 pm (9 years ago)I want to learn more about Google + but I hear it’s an awesome platform. I don’t think you have to do any one particular social media platform. You should pick the one that feels good to you and dominate it. For some people that’s Instagram or Pinterest, but for me it’s Facebook. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Rose Sahetapy
April 22, 2016 at 5:34 pm (9 years ago)Your post is very encouraging especially to find a group that meets our need but at same time guiding us to support other bloggers. I love post like this.
Sarah
April 22, 2016 at 5:51 pm (9 years ago)Thanks so much! I’ve been throwing around the idea of starting one but haven’t been able to think of a really unique niche that’s in line with my blog. Thanks for the inspiration!
proassistblog
April 22, 2016 at 5:53 pm (9 years ago)Aw no problem! Create one as soon as possible! You won’t regret it!
Rachel
April 22, 2016 at 6:13 pm (9 years ago)Wow, I read every word of this!
Julia Groves
April 22, 2016 at 8:31 pm (9 years ago)Great tips! I have considered starting a FB group to promote my blog. I’ll have to think about it some more.
NYG@NaughtyYogaGirl.com
April 22, 2016 at 10:28 pm (9 years ago)I’m a member of several blog Facebook groups and they are invaluable – I’ve learned so much, have seen my numbers grow, and met great friends. So grateful.
Alison
April 22, 2016 at 11:15 pm (9 years ago)Great post! I am in quite a few groups and I have my favorites that I interact with on a daily basis. I think having people interact is what makes a group great. Admins have a tough job at keeping them all under control but I can see the benefit to it now.
Carolyn
April 22, 2016 at 11:43 pm (9 years ago)You are definitely making me think I need to start a group. I know I need to get more involved with the blogging community to take my blog to the next step.
Lynn
April 22, 2016 at 11:59 pm (9 years ago)This gave me a rush of ideas to try in a group. Listing my action steps now!
Rachel
April 23, 2016 at 12:09 am (9 years ago)I’m part of several Facebook blogging groups and they’re been a big boost to my blog! I’ll have to check yours out!
proassistblog
April 24, 2016 at 1:04 am (9 years ago)Awesome! Please do!
Missy - Getting Fit to Find Myself
April 23, 2016 at 1:04 am (9 years ago)Great tips! I may have to start a group! I had never thought of doing that for my blog but it makes sense.
Teresa | Simply Made Fun
April 23, 2016 at 1:55 am (9 years ago)I’m a part of several groups (some that I love more than others) but I’ve never thought of starting my own. These are great tips! I’m pinning for later!
Inez
April 23, 2016 at 3:06 am (9 years ago)Thank you! You are actually the one that encouraged me to start a Facebook group. I created one but it took a month to advertise it. A couple of weeks in, I have 20 something members and I’ve been wondering how to grow it. So, this is perfect. Thank you, Amanda!
Agnes
April 23, 2016 at 3:22 am (9 years ago)Never though of starting my own community , great post!
Sam
April 23, 2016 at 6:07 am (9 years ago)Great ideas. I have wondered about the benefits of starting a group and how to do it.
Ana De- Jesus
April 23, 2016 at 8:49 am (9 years ago)I just sent you a request for your FB group eek so excited! I manage two groups myself and it really does help with traffic.
jill conyers
April 23, 2016 at 9:48 am (9 years ago)This is one of my 2016 goals so your timing is perfect. I’ve pinned it for later.
Crystal
April 23, 2016 at 4:59 pm (9 years ago)I keep debating on starting my own blog group. I have some really unique ideas, but people are so monumentally BAD at following rules and people get offended so easily, I am afraid it might not work as well as it could. So many mommy bloggers are doing reviews or really crappy posts that are just for promoting a product. I want to make a group that is just for moms that actually write things someone enjoys reading! I’m afraid promoting it will be really alienating to the many followers I have that are ‘product review’ bloggers. Any advice?
proassistblog
April 24, 2016 at 1:00 am (9 years ago)Yes I’ve realized that many mommy bloggers make their money from sponsored posts so they do a lot of product reviews. I don’t think you should stop yourself from creating a FB group because of what other people will do. Of course there will be people who won’t follow the rules but you can just kick them out 🙂 . And no you won’t be alienating people if you create a group just for mom–that’s your niche. You can create a FB group for mom bloggers and say that no product reviews are allowed! I say go for it!
karissa Ancell
April 24, 2016 at 12:27 am (9 years ago)What great information in this post. I need to get better at being active in Facebook groups.
Susannah
April 24, 2016 at 7:55 pm (9 years ago)I love facebook groups but I don’t think I’d want to admin one! How awesome that you are able to! <3
proassistblog
April 25, 2016 at 12:29 pm (9 years ago)It can be a lot of work when the group becomes larger! But the great thing is you can get volunteer admins to help you run it or run it completely. I’m actually running The Blog Loft for Margo Snyder right now!
Dia
April 24, 2016 at 10:44 pm (9 years ago)I am so glad you wrote this. I’ve been thinking of starting one but it seems like a lot to add on my plate. I have decided to start knocking certain things out one at a time to avoid burnout and frustration so it may be down the line because I have some big things in the pipeline. Thanks for sharing.
proassistblog
April 25, 2016 at 12:28 pm (9 years ago)It’s so important to evaluate yourself and make sure that you’re not adding too much onto your plate at once. That’s actually something that I struggle with myself. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Carrie
April 25, 2016 at 4:49 am (9 years ago)Great tips! Im a member of a few groups and they have been helpful! I’m really want to become a part of a mastermind group cause I think that would help a lot
Erica @ Coming Up Roses
April 25, 2016 at 1:52 pm (9 years ago)Coming from someone who is in your FB group and loves it, thank you for sharing these tips + I love them!!! And major props to you girlfriend…you’re going to go so far with it, and I can’t wait to keep watching your journey!
Coming Up Roses
proassistblog
April 25, 2016 at 3:19 pm (9 years ago)Aw thanks! That means the world to me 🙂
laura londergan
April 25, 2016 at 4:10 pm (9 years ago)thanks for sharing all of these tips. I belong to several FB groups and like them although I wish I had at least one that was smaller so it was more personal 😉
Lindsay Satmary
April 25, 2016 at 9:51 pm (9 years ago)Great advice! I think Facebook groups are a great resource and one of the best features that Facebook has left after all the changes. thanks!
DANI CC
April 26, 2016 at 2:44 am (9 years ago)Love this post! What are the names of your facebook groups?
Kiana Abram
April 26, 2016 at 5:44 am (9 years ago)This post is great and so helpful! I’ve been considering starting a Facebook group of my own for a while but have been hesitant. You shared a lot of great tips that will help steer me in the right direction!
proassistblog
April 26, 2016 at 12:28 pm (9 years ago)Go for it Kiana! It’s the best decision, I swear! Thanks for stopping by.
CourtneyLynne
April 26, 2016 at 11:07 pm (9 years ago)Ooooo lots of fabulous info!!!! I’m a member of many Facebook groups. It takes slot to run one so I think I will be holding off on my own group 😉
Hannah Adkins
April 29, 2016 at 5:50 am (9 years ago)Great tips! I love facebook groups, and they’re an awesome way to connect with other bloggers and have an awesome support group.