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Let’s tackle the age-old question: Are Facebook groups still worth it? Spoiler alert: They absolutely are, and this week’s guest expert, Sarah Beisel, shares her tried and tested strategies to show you how. From savvy growth hacks to engaging your audience with minimal time investment (15 minutes a day, anyone?), Sarah unpacks everything you need to know to build a buzzing online community (that helps your business to grow).

Discover why Sarah ditched Instagram and focused her energy on Facebook, how she keeps 2,000+ members active in her group, and the secrets behind creating engaging content that keeps your community coming back for more. Plus, we chat about why choosing the social media platform that aligns with your preferences and where your audience hangs out is a game-changer.

Let’s unpack the top tips she shared with us.

Why Facebook Groups Still Win Over Business Pages

It’s no secret—the reach of Facebook business pages has declined unless you’re willing to throw cash at ads. Sarah revealed that Facebook groups still hold their ground, offering magnificent organic engagement. Why? Because Facebook prioritises group content, knowing that it keeps users engaged longer than ads or general posts.

Build Connections, Not Billboards

And here’s a golden nugget: treat your Facebook group like a community rather than promotional space. Create value by focusing on common interests or needs—think skincare tips rather than hard-selling your skincare products. Engaging content transforms passive browsers into active participants.

The 15-Minute Growth Strategy

Sarah’s growth strategy is both practical and efficient, requiring just 15 minutes a day! How? By networking and engaging with other groups in her niche. She looks for groups that share her target audience, capitalises on promotional opportunities, and invites people to join her own group after sharing value. This synergistic approach makes group engagement less daunting and more productive.

Consistent Engagement is Key

Consistency, my friends, is the heartbeat of a thriving Facebook group. Sarah swears by setting an example through daily posts and active engagement. But don’t stress—batch your content and schedule posts in advance using Facebook’s admin tools. This ensures your group stays alive and buzzing without you having to be online 24/7.

Time Investment: Planting Seeds for Future Growth

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a booming Facebook group. Patience and persistence are your best friends. Sarah stresses that the initial slow growth can feel demoralizing, but hang in there! You’ll soon reap the rewards of your invested effort.

Focusing on One Platform

Sarah’s key to social media sanity? Stick to one platform! She ditched Instagram almost a year ago and hasn’t looked back. Her main focus is Facebook, where she capitalizes on community interactions. By focusing on Facebook and email lists, and hosting a podcast called “Simple Facebook Group Strategy,” Sarah proves you don’t need to juggle multiple platforms to succeed.

Platform Preferences and Audience Alignment

Your métier may be Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or even LinkedIn—find what works for you. Sarah finds Instagram too visually demanding and prefers the conversational nature of Facebook, while Jacqui enjoys Instagram’s visual flair. The bottom line? Choose a platform where your target audience is most active and where you feel most comfortable engaging.

Engaging New Members: Fresh Blood for New Energy

Are your Facebook groups becoming ghost towns? Sarah reveals that the secret to keeping engagement high is continually bringing in new members. Newbies bring a burst of energy and interaction. Use simple yet powerful questions to boost engagement—mix fun and business-related queries to keep things lively.

Templates for Success

Create a template to ensure you’re balancing the types of questions and content, keeping your group dynamic and engaging. This keeps your community vibrant and prevents the dreaded monotony.

Tools and Support for Effortless Management

Running a group of over 2,000 members takes work, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Sarah uses Facebook’s admin features, including scheduling tools, and even leverages interns to moderate. This ensures her group remains active and well-managed with minimal personal daily input.

ABOUT SARAH:

Sarah Beisel is a Facebook groups coach for Christian Entrepreneurs who want to create engaged online communities. She helps them launch and grow their Facebook groups so they can build relationships with their audience.

Sarah hosts a top 2% podcast, Simple Facebook Group Strategy, and is the founder of the Facebook Group Strategy for Christian Entrepreneurs community on Facebook.

She believes Facebook groups are the best way to build community online and one of the most successful ways to create impact and income.

CONNECT WITH SARAH:

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sarahbcommunity

Podcast: https://sarahbeisel.com/podcast

Grab the Facebook Group Launch Checklist: https://sarahbeisel.com/checklist

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