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Social Networking Groups
02/27/09
Social Networking Groups
Making a Group on a Social Networking Site.
Most social sites (like Facebook) will allow a member to form a group. They can be great for meeting new people with a common interest.
If you want to have a successful group that will get several members and be active there are a few things to do.
1. Do NOT use a group to be an ad for yourself!
If you chose to make a group for a business that you are involved in, that could be a great way to get others in the same business to chat about tips or new info. The problem is that many group starters name the group for the company they represent and then have some group description about how they want the group to be a place for reps to help each other and possible buyers could get info. That is great but, then you see the group starter place their affiliate link right in the description.
How is that a problem? Lets see – why would someone want to add content to your group, invite others, or help build it in any way when the group starter has top billing?
2. I would suggest no links allowed. This means that group participants will need to post helpful information to gain the attention of visitors and would be buyers. Group members will be more likely to post content once they understand that would be buyers will click to see the profile of the person they feel is most knowledgeable and helpful.
3. The group starter needs to have a few threads to start the conversation right from the moment they set up. They should ask questions, do an intro about themselves, and be prepared to check in everyday to post new things or reply to threads!
4. Do not use the group section as a classified ads section. This is a huge turn OFF to other reps and would be customers. If you do just post ads that makes you a spammer that is either not smart enough or unwilling to post and use the areas as intended!
Got any other ideas or complaints about the groups on social networking sites?
Go ahead tell us what type of groups you would join on a social site.
Sheryl Loch
6 comments
One of the oddest things I've seen on Facebook is the creation of "fan of" groups, where people create them for themselves and ask people to join up. Though I'd love to have a fan page, for me to set one up for myself seems to be the epitome of narcissism that I just couldn't get my mind around. I have started two other groups, though, and I have one or two people who have used the group to post links to their products. I think it's bad practice, but I let it go because they were geared towards the audience of those groups. Great stuff here! Interesting background. lol
Groups are one of those things that are always on my list but I rarely get to it. Facebook and Myspace bother me with all the apps and stuff but I would like a nice BlogCatalog group.I do have a Yahoo group. I started it several years ago and it's still active today. It has a whole 50 or so members lol I ruined the group by breaking your #2 and #4 rules. I let others post ads to the group and it's essentially another useless Yahoo group where no one reads the messages - including me. One day I'll get around to deleting it.
Hello Mitch,I did not even think about the fan pages when I wrote this.
I agree, I am not in a rock star frame of mind to set up my own. I do see where they could be used for a company, band, or famous person. Other than that it would have to be someone that I personally know for me to be a fan of theirs.
Some groups are geared at posting ads, I have never seen them be to effective because all the members just post their own links & never look at anyone elses'.
I guess if the links in a group are directly associated with the topic you can allow them. I would just be afraid it would become a habit. I prefer links to information or links without an affiliate attached.
Yes, my background was made just for me. Nope you will not see another one just like it! It's got some of my favorite things pictured! :)
@Brian, Facebook apps also drive me nuts! That is one reason I seldom go there. That & I also get all the invites to groups that I do not want to join (most break my rules listed above).
I did belong to a few Yahoo groups at one time until they also became more like a marketing mail list. I had 2 that started with no links, then let you put a sig line, now, the sig lines are bigger than their post. Those groups are now filled into my spam box until I get the gumption to remove them.
I think the Facebook fan pages are more to separate a person's personal Facebook for friends, coworkers, and people they know in person from all the people they contact through their website or business. It makes sense if someone wants to save their personal Facebook to do the fun things with, like posting silly photos of themselves, or sharing personal information. Then they can have their Facebook page to promote their professional persona.These are great tips. I need to get some conversation starters going on my Facebook page. :)
Hello Kikolani,You seem to be allot better at FaceBook than I am. I just dread even logging in. I have just a few 'friends' and they are not even people that are from my off line life. I may just delete them all. LOL!
The couple of groups I belong to are pretty much dead. Not even sure when someone posted last.
I have been a bit lost about how people are using the new parts of FaceBook, last night I went to a online cast by Ed Dale and he went over a few of the changes. Although I am still lost. I do understand a bit more about the personal page and the fan pages.
This way you can have marketing page yet, you do not have to 'friend' everyone that you want to communicate with. It also has a more 'real time' appeal.
Here is a pdf that may help a bit. Facebook Pages Product Guide
I figure if FB is growing at this rate then I better get my butt in gear and figure this out. LOL!
Now, we just need one of you all to post "How To FaceBook for Dummies". ;)
Sheryl Loch
I have been an active part of many groups on social networking sites. There is no way to deceive your audience or fellow members, it is best to stay away from spammy and mere commercial practices and be a genuine contributer. We have an active group on facebook for finding people that need to sell house fast, they exchange ideas, share tips and information and hence help each other make the process easier. Works really well for all!
Happy networking :)