I’ve been running my business Facebook Group: Australian Business Collaborative for years now. And I’m here to tell you that Facebook groups are an awesome way to grow your business by connecting with other business owners and getting valuable advice. Unfortunately, many people misuse Facebook groups, ruining it for the rest of us. Here are five simple rules to follow to ensure you have good Facebook group etiquette.
The Basics of Good Facebook Group Etiquette
Don’t Send Unsolicited Messages
This one is a big no-no. No matter what reason you have, do not under any circumstances message somebody without permission. Behaviour like this could get you kicked out of the group altogether, and it actually goes against Facebook’s guidelines so it could get you kicked off of the platform. Aside from that, direct messaging someone you don’t know without permission is just plain creepy. Don’t be that guy.
Don’t Self-Promote Without Asking
We all know that poster who consistently drops their latest product or course in the group when nobody asked them to. No Dale, I don’t want to know your secrets to business success in just five easy weeks. There are appropriate times to promote yourself on Facebook pages, and these will usually be made clear in the rules posted by the admin. If you aren’t sure if self-promotion is alright, ask an admin for permission before you post.
Don’t Sneaky Self-Promote Either
There is nothing that annoys me more than a sneaky self-promote. These are the posts that are blatantly promoting something but are disguising it as something else. If you start your post with ‘delete if not allowed’, chances are it’s not allowed. Don’t try to bend the rules by posting your bestselling product and asking ‘should I also make this in pink? I just can’t decide! Here is the link to see the full product’. We see through what you’re doing. Please stop.
Don’t Poach Clients
Believe it or not, people actually do this. It is completely fine and actually awesome if you gain clients through building a relationship with them in a Facebook group. It is not awesome if you got them by being sneaky or going behind another business owner’s back. Facebook groups are a place to help each other grow, not cut the legs out from under each other. I shouldn’t have to explain the difference between getting a new client ethically and poaching one. If you have any bad feelings about what you’re doing, chances are you shouldn’t be doing it.
Don’t Just Take – Give!
Facebook groups are all about engagement, so engage! Comment on other people’s posts, answer questions, and at the very least, answer the comments on your own posts. If you keep posting your own questions then disappearing without a trace, you’re missing out on an awesome opportunity to network and engage. Plus, it’s rude. Why should you expect people to answer your questions when you don’t do the same for them.
By engaging, you are becoming a more recognisable name in the group. This means that the next time you do post, people will feel like they know you a little better and will be more willing to engage themselves. It’s just good Facebook Group etiquette.
Believe it or not, good Facebook group etiquette is not difficult to master. You basically just have to be considerate and engaging and you’ll find that you are following most of the rules anyway. What’s more, you’ll also be getting the most out of the group, creating meaningful connections and experiencing the full benefit that the group has to offer.
Want to join an awesome Facebook group with like-minded business owners? Check out my group the Australian Business Collaborative. For more helpful articles, check out my blog.
Have an awesome day,
Ange
