A few days ago I was asked about what it takes to start and grow a Facebook group in today’s overcrowded online space. I’ve started and grown a few Facebook groups over the past 3 years and so I wanted to give you some tips that will hopefully help to alleviate some of the confusion and fear around starting a group of your own.

Facebook groups can be a really great way to build your community and create interest in your products and programs. As a new coach you have a safe space to share your content and teach new ideas both through posts and live on camera.

If you’re anything like me then you probably love community and sharing your insights with other people. You love being a part of another person’s “aha!” moment. So it’s time to step into your leadership and start your first Facebook group.

Here are tips to start and organically grow a Facebook.

1. Run a challenge and host it inside of a group.

Running free challenges is a really fun way to kickstart a group. When I started my first group a few years ago, I did so by creating a 7-day love challenge for women in relationships (pretty different to what I do now, I know).

Women signed up for the challenge via an opt-in page on my website and were directed to the group to complete their challenges and hold each other accountable. In the coming months I hosted two more challenges that were equally successful to create a highly engaged group.

Challenges really are a fun and easy way to get your group going! Plus a few more subscribers on your email list can never hurt, right?

2. Give your group a catchy name (and tags) that indicates exactly what it’s about.

Naming your group in a way that shows people exactly what it’s about is a smart way to draw in targeted new members. Forget about trying to be super daring and giving your group some obscure name that no-one understands.

My very first group was called My Dream Love Life and the group organically grew to in numbers until the day I decided to change the title to The Daredevil Sisterhood. See my mistake here?

Also, when you create your group you will have the option to add tags in the description section. This is a chance for people to search your group organically so make sure your tags are relevant to what the group will discuss.

3. Style your Facebook group beautifully.

Create a beautiful, on-brand cover photo preferably with a picture of yourself (or group members). Canva is a great tool for creating graphics online and even includes templates designed specifically for Facebook group covers.

Use the cover photo to further describe what your group is about. I recently established a new Facebook group for the Becoming Known community and the slogan “build your brand, grow your influence and make an impact” is written underneath the title on the cover photo.

4. Host events inside of your group.

With the introduction of Facebook live video, now you have a wonderful way to host live events inside of your group. 

Prepare an informational live video, have virtual parties, or come up with other creative ideas to stimulate interest. Then promote your events outside of your group on your Facebook page, profile and other social media platforms and invite people to join your group so they can take part in the event.

I host a monthly storytelling event inside Becoming Known as well as regular Virtual Networking Parties and have seen the group grow organically to over 200 members in two months since starting it.

5. Stay engaged with your members.

Don’t be consumed with trying to ‘grow a Facebook group’ that you forget to focus on the community that you already have. I still believe that one of the most effective ways to grow an engaged audience is word of mouth. Even if you have small numbers to start with you want to look after the people who are already invested in your community.

Let’s be honest–a Facebook group built with your business in mind is designed to help you create a loyal community and fan base that will eventually invest in your services. We all want to become known for the work we do, we all want to make an impact but we also want to make money.

So be committed to your community, bring your A-game and enjoy watching your Facebook group grow.