Utilizing Facebook Groups for business purposes allows for unprecedented levels of organic reach from your target audience, all while fostering stronger relationships and communities with those customers.
Comparing Facebook Groups vs. Pages: What’s the Deal?
A common question we get is: “What’s the point of creating a Group if I already have a Facebook Page for my business?”
A Look at Some Facebook Profiles
In all probability, you already maintain a Facebook Page. What you have there is a business profile for your brand in which you can publish articles, gather feedback, organise events, and keep track of essential company data.
Anyone who creates a post on your Page will see it in the “Community” section. People are interacting with your post primarily through comments. They will be available to the general public without further action.
Groups on Facebook
There is a radical distinction between social groups. They’re exclusive groups of people who you have to be invited to or ask to join.
The groups can have varying degrees of secrecy. Because of this, participation is significantly higher, with users frequently sharing their own content and chatting with other customers.
Additionally, there are unique advantages to forming a group. Because the algorithm gives more weight to groups than it does to Pages, you can increase your valuable organic reach among users.
In addition, Facebook Groups provide a direct channel to your target audience, letting you connect with them and grow a loyal following for your brand.
Keep in mind that you can connect a Page to your Group (which we’ll demonstrate in a moment), allowing you to create a branded experience while also providing value to ensure that your Group doesn’t come off as a constant sales pitch.
How to Get the Most Out of Facebook Groups for Your Company
The good news is that there are a variety of ways you can put Facebook groups to work for your company.
1. In the role of a customer service group
Indeed, this is one of the most typical business applications of Facebook groups.
You could start a group called something like “Publix Shoppers Unite,” where anyone who regularly shops at Publix would be welcome to participate.
Customers could get answers to their product questions, learn how to place special orders, and sign up for Publix’s cooking classes before anyone else.
This can also serve as a method of instruction and participation.
Publix (a well-known supermarket chain in the South of the United States) may broadcast live events. Publix could provide advice on everything from where to find the best buy-one-get-one deals to picking out the ripest avocados.
2. Second, it serves as a platform for fans to interact with one another.
Customers are more likely to stick with you if they feel like they are part of something bigger than just buying your product.
3. To serve as a venue for hearing people out
A Facebook group is an excellent place to solicit feedback and gather consumer data about your brand.
Is it a possibility that you’ll be adding new functionality to your SaaS tool in the near future? If so, you’ll want to find out what kinds of improvements your users find most useful.
Perhaps you run a meal-delivery service and care deeply about the quality and freshness of the food your customers receive.
4. Fourthly, as a source of income
Some Pages on Facebook are able to set up Subscriber Groups, where members pay a recurring fee to remain involved. This privilege is typically given to highly popular Creator Pages.
It is against Facebook policy to require payment to join a group unless the group admin has enabled the Subscriber Group features. It’s against Facebook’s rules to do so.
Luckily, there is a way around this problem. Providing free Group access as part of a larger package can increase interest in the package and has the potential to bring about the desired results.
5.To encourage potential customers to make a purchase, Reason #5
As we’ve discussed, you can limit who can join a Facebook Group to people who have purchased a product or service from you, are enrolled in a specific course, or are subscribers to a specific type of content.
6. Sixth, to locate potential alpha and beta users, advocates, and partners.
Good beta testers, affiliates, and advocates for your brand can be hard to come by.
But it’s a good idea to start by finding communities of people who are passionate about your brand. All of the aforementioned activities may be appropriate for those who are invested in your company’s name and goods.
Last but not least
For businesses, the advantages of using Facebook Groups are substantial. However, keep in mind that they are not easy tasks. To keep the community flourishing, you’ll need to engage in community management on a regular basis.
You’ll be off to a great start if you follow our aforementioned recommendations and remember to keep Page and Group content unique at all times, which will allow the group to offer exclusive content and a tight-knit community.