To Sum It Up
If you’ve been thinking about opening a free Facebook group to build community, then it’s essential you open it first with a launch!
Or, you can also open a group just for a limited time to accompany your challenge, 3-part video or webinar launch strategy.
But before you open a group at all – you first need to consider the pros and cons, so you can make the right decision for your tribe.
PROS
Here’s a few of the biggest benefits for creating a free Facebook group, either for good or just for your launch:
1. You don’t have to “pay to play”.
As Facebook keeps adjusting their algorithm, and reducing the reach of your business page, more people are looking to groups to engage with their community. Any message or notification you want to send to your group will be seen! Anyone in the group will get a notification every time you post, go live on video or share any new or events.
2. Your community has a reason (and a deadline) to join.
With thousands of free Facebook groups to choose from, why should they join yours? Creating the group around a launch (as a starting point) creates a specific purpose for the group, and makes it clear what they are joining to learn and have conversation around. It also creates the opportunity to go viral, as they begin to share the group with their friends and online connections.
3. Puts you in the best position to answers questions (and get sales).
I’ve said it time and again – but being in the role of customer service while your cart or program is open for enrollment is essential to getting more sales. And in a Facebook group your potential customers not only have access to ask their questions – but you have an opportunity to offer an (almost) instant answer. And when you can meet objections and questions in real time, you’ll find yourself having more and more sales as a result!
CONS
1. You might not have the time.
If you’re a member of any great Facebook groups, you’ll see how active they are and that all members participate in both asking and answering questions. But that doesn’t happen overnight… It actually takes about 2-3 posts a day from you to drive the conversation, AND growing to over 500 members for the group to take on a life of its own.
2. Gives free access to you (and doesn’t work for premium businesses).
When you’re available 24/7 inside a Facebook group during a launch, you have to find a reason for why they’d leave the free group to pay for your paid program. Obviously you can choose to close the group after the launch, but if you’re wanting to keep it open after – you need to have a plan for selling! And it gets tougher to move them over the higher the price point goes.
Your Turn
So, which did you decide? Let me know in the comments below if you’ll be creating a free Facebook group to use as part of your launch strategy. (And share the link so we can join you!)
Full Transcript
Coming Soon!
I love these pros and cons, Jessica! I have debated about starting a Facebook group and have been told to not worry about it, because I can just participate in everyone else’s. However, I think that if I did start one, I could get my name out there and be positioned as more of an expert. You broke down some great points here. Thanks!
Hey Jessie, if expertise is what you’re going for – then you definitely need your own group! There’s only so much you can share in someone else’s group, especially if the admin or moderator is in a similar industry. You never want to look like you’re trying to “steal” their online leads. If you have the time for it (and it’s easier now that posts can be pre-scheduled in groups directly!) then I’d definitely give it a go! 🙂
These are really great points to consider, Jess. I love the pro about being able to answer questions and overcome objections as the cart is open. Delivering epic, personalized customer services goes a long way. It goes one step further, too, because everyone else in the group can see how attentive and service-driven you are, which pulls double duty!