what NOT TO DO to get more people in your group (and what to do instead!)

The Wrong vs. Right Way to Grow your FB Group

I guess I shouldn't say "wrong way"... but it kinda is.
A nicer way to put it would be to obviously tell you better practices to do.. and I'm definitely going to! And I want you to tell your friends, okay? Because if I'm added to one more group that I don't want to be in, I might lose my cool:) jk. I won't. But it is irritating.

And I run an online business y'all. So I know it's important to grow. I understand that you want more people to see your bandanas, and make up, and clothes, and heck... BAGS. I get it. I get it way more than those random people you are adding, or worse, asking your friends and groupies to add.
They don't get it. They don't get it at all.
So think about that for a second... If I do get it, and it irritates me.. think about how mad it makes the ones who don't get it. So you have to stop.

I feel you- you want your group to have more people. But adding people to groups without their permission is just not the way to do it. It's not the way to gain followers/fans and it's definitely not the way to grow your customer base.

Groups are about community. A community of people on FB who are interested in the same thing, whatever that may be.
Groups are barely working for those of us who run them right, because of those you don't.

So just in case you don't know what to do, or what not to do, I thought I'd share. Make it easier on everyone;)

The WRONG WAY to Grow your Group on FB

1. Go through your friends list and "add" or "invite" everyone you think would be interested. Unless you have had a one on one conversation with them and they have said, "I'd love to be apart of your group!" don't add them. 
2. By doing a giveaway that says "Add # friends to my group." No number is right here. Not 100, not 20, not even 1. And guess what, we can't even tell them to "make sure you ask them first," because that's not their job, it's yours. So they don't have to ask them first, and most likely, they won't. They'll just go down their friends list and add enough people to win your giveaway. So best practice... don't do a giveaway like that. Don't ask your friends to add people to your group. Don't put your followers in that position.
3. I didn't know if I wanted to add this one... because occasionally, and for good reason, I think it can be perfectly acceptable! So just know, when you are posting on your personal FB page, inviting your friends to join your group, there are right ways (and times!) to do it. For example, if you are just starting your new business, PLEASE post and let your friends know and invite them to join you in your group. If you are posting constantly, or every time there is a game or special posted, on your personal FB page, you might want to consider a better practice.

Let's chat about some!

The good news is, these practices are EASIER and of course, more effective. So why would't you choose them!?

The RIGHT WAY to Grow your Group on FB

1. Invite (like with your mouth... not the "invite" button) your friends and family. ASK them if they want to join. When they say yes, I suggest sending them the link to your group so they can physically join it themselves. I seriously add NO ONE to ANY group. EVER. And if someone ask you to, suggest to them an alternative way.
2. When you're at a vendor event, invite (again.. with your voice) people that come up to your booth to join your group- or even like your business page on FB! Right then and there. Start building the consumer/provider relationship right then and make sure they stay in touch online!
3. Are you in a party based business? The party is a great way (and my #1 most suggested way!) to grow your group! Make sure you ask each guest at each party to join you in your customer group for inspiration and fun and to stay up to date on all things ______!
4. Do you have other social platforms? You can direct your IG followers to also come check you out on FB! 
5. EMAIL! With any successful business, you have an email database. Every once in a while, shoot out an email to your customer base asking them to join you on FB!

I know that not everyone is trained on FB Groups 101! And I know you see your friends do things that may have been listed under "wrong way" and you just can't wait to try it out! But instead, I'd love to encourage you to choose a different, better practice!

 Do you have any other ideas that work? (Or don't work!?) I'd love to hear them!