Facebook Groups – 10 Steps To Make Your Facebook Group Go Viral

Are You A Lion Or A Sheep? A Facebook group needs strong leadership and clear direction if you want it to succeed. If you act like a sheep, the herd might follow you for a moment  and then lose interest or move in a different  direction. Launching a successful Facebook group is a definite art. If you are thinking of starting a new group or already have an existing group, here are a few essential pointers to get you going viral and  effortlessly  attract new members. 1) Choose a Killer Title For Your Group Name Without a memorable name that is both colorful and sticky your group will fail right from the beginning. It has to be compelling and dynamic and press peoples emotional hot buttons. For Ideas look at the groups that have grown to over 1000 members and compare the names  to those that that are still stuck  at around 150 members.  If your name is boring  most people automatically assume your group will be too. 2) Pick  A Graphic That Captures The Essence Of  Your Group A picture speaks a thousand words, does the image you choose convey the essence of your group. Get a striking image and then use photo shop to add some text on top of the picture. Make sure it can still be read when it is reduced in size. Many groups make their Logo much  longer than its wide it then becomes a full banner advertisement and   takes up more space when its listed on the group page giving it more prominence. 3) Leverage Your Friends You can’t grow a group huge without the help of other people. Groups go viral because people invite their friends to join. If your initial network hasn’t reach 500 people you will have a hard time getting enough momentum for your group to take off. In that case find another friend and launch together. Make them a group admin too. Its much more fun launching a group with several people than having to do all the work on your own. 4) Target Your Initial Members Having  powerful  and influential friends as core members of the group is vital. Hand select the people who you want to be there and send them personal invitations. Make them feel special.  You need to choose people who are dynamic on Facebook or Twitter, people who are famous, people who have huge followings,  people who have large networks and people who are already experts and leaders  within your niche.  Having these people as initial members instantly gives your group credibility.   Honor those who first join by making them officers and ask  them what  title they would like under their name. 5) Create A Whisper Campaign Tell your friends about the group in an indirect way long before you are going to launch, hint about it in blog posts, in teleseminars and in  wall posts and in all your communications with your potential core members. Get them excited and they will start to talk about your new group even before you open the doors. Get your favorite bloggers to write an article about your group. Start a discussion using Facebook Notes  and make your group the logical solution to a problem that people might face. Create  the content for your group before you launch and tell people what you are doing. 6) Turn Your Group Launch Into An Event By  turning your group launch into an event you automatically stand out and get noticed. Plan it the same way you would a big party,  You want all your guests to arrive at the same time so that the dance floor is packed. People won’t join if they turn up to your group page and find a cold empty room with no music and no  refreshments. Use Facebook Events and hold a teleseminar to publicize it and/or write  Facebook notes and tag all your initial members, get them interacting with each other and keep sending them back to the group page to post on the wall and participate  in the discussions. Groups are not just confined to  a single location, they spill out all over the place. Like a crowded house party that ends up  with  lots of people milling about on the front lawn. Anyone who drives down the street will always know which house to go to. 7) Include An Irresistible Offer Offer an incentive for people to join,  give away a free ebook, mp3 recording or video straight away. Promise to supply more exclusive content in the future for those who join the group early and become active participants. Identify those special  members by signing them  up to your optin list or joining your Fan page. Focus on adding value and encourage your group members to share their own talents.   Your group will become  a valuable resource instead of  a derelict notice board for spammers 8)Aim For Viral Visibility The more activity you generate the bigger your viral foot print will be in Facebook’s newsfeed. You want to get your group to 500 members as quickly as possible so that it maintains its growth  velocity.  After this point it will hit critical mass and continue to grow on its own. Stimulate activity on the group wall and discussion board, ask questions and continue to  supply fresh content on a regular basis. You want you members to keep returning and posting within the group. 9)Advertise Your Group If you are holding a party you need to put up some posters and give out flyers. Use your status updates wisely; be creative, use humor,  and learn about  link baiting.   Attract members  from a whole range of social media  platforms, like Twitter, YouTube, Ustream, Friend Feed, Ning. Advertise in other similar groups and online forums. Get your group members to help you and  reward those who put in the most effort by helping them to promote themselves using your group as a platform. Self promotion before contributing value should be discouraged. 10) Launch Strategically  And In Several Stages Have a clearly defined and mapped out strategy.  Create a revolving door  Pre launch, launch, post launch,  relaunch. Sequence.  After initial  activity your group may need restimulating. By holding regular events you keep your group in the public eye and your members will continue to feel connected. Get your active members to participate in your relaunch process, and make it  a win win situation for all involved   If you have enjoyed this post, you might want to consider subscribing to my full RSS feed Follow me on Twitter so you never miss a post http://www.twitter.com/iandavidchapman

Comments

  1. Great post! I was wondering if you knew anything about monetization of Facebook Groups? A friend had told me yesterday that some people have built Facebook groups, and have sold them…..I’m not sure what Facebook’s TOS says about selling advertisement and things like that, but, I’m sure it could be lucrative……

    just wondering if you have ever heard anything about that (selling groups and/or selling advertisement space in a Facebook Group)….????

  2. Also……the reason I ask that is, because, over a year ago, I began my own Facebook group….

    http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=21237201144&ref=ts

    +200,000 Members….While it has grown significantly…with becoming viral and all, I do realize that Facebook group’s have very big limitations….

    ….it’s actually become quite a science in attempting to engage members,interaction, and encouraging return visits (Usually people just click to JOIN, visit the group once, only to never return)…..

  3. @howie,
    In my new book Facebook Strategies Guide, released later this week, I talk about this subject and explain how you can optimize your group and get people to interact. People do sell Facebook groups, but the value depends on the group name and subject that it focuses on. If you want some tips on how to get the most out of your group send me a message on Facebook, I’d be happy to help you

  4. Thanks for tips, I’ll be sure to follow :)

  5. Thank you for including your link on Doug Firebaughs message about Facebook groups.

    This is an awesome, power-packet article.
    Thank you for sharing. I am joining your group now and checking into your book Facebook Strategies Guide

    Cathlene

  6. thanks for the nice tip. Now im very inspired to launched a new group.

    Check this out guys http://www.facebook.com/groups.php?ref=sb#/group.php?gid=81492166556

  7. My Music group is like 4 days old and I thank you so much for this information. So far I have about 56 members.
    Please join m group – Songwriting Leads – Uniting All Music Industry People
    http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=87918826694

  8. Jared Woods says:

    My group is doing pretty well. It’s basically a place where people take screenshots of funny things they have seen on facebook, look:
    http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=84616700680&ref=ts

    I already have 850 members in less than 4 months, but I really want it to EXPLODE, so any tips please email them to me!!

  9. Hi I see there are quite a few groups that have a similar focus to mine. If I ask members of these groups to join mine will I potentially be considered a spammer and run the risk of being removed from Facebook?

  10. thanks for the tips there is a lot of good info here
    http://apps.facebook.com/causes/308649
    Ablaze For A Cure

  11. augiebyllott says:

    Excellent article.

  12. Feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee says:

    if you love jamiroquai join my group!

    http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=app_2373072

  13. redflamerulz says:

    join my group please and tell all your friends to join PLEASE! just click the link below

    http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=377521

  14. Raptor Guy says:

    Great article. you kniw what's also great? RAPTORS! Join PLS

    http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=107858639

  15. onegirlwho says:

    Very helpfull, thank you. Please follow retail electric prices in Texas. Join my site:
    http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Houst

  16. I made a bet that I could find a million people who loved rainbows, help me out!!!!!!!
    http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=10000022

  17. I made a bet that I could find a million people who loved rainbows, help me out!!!!!!!
    http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=10000022

  18. james chittenden says:

    if you like to party in the london area with great people and celebs at grand venues please join my group ( london vip parties) and come and party we provide a service that makes sure that your evening out,private party ,corprate party what ever the occation may be that you are looked after and get the vip treatment for more info please add the group and contact myself james chittenden hope to see you all soon.

  19. Faridadancer says:

    nice@! thanx!

  20. Talha123sheikh says:
  21. Firefighter10000 says:

    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eminem-fan-page/1

    please join i just madethis and im trying to get people

  22. Ha! I love it. I wish I had organized a little more. I have a simple collaborative travel tips group. I started it the other day but hope that it grows beyond 50 people. If it hits 60, I might just retire!

    http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=112760

  23. Naeem kabir says:
  24. All anybody says below is join my group!
    Comeon guys, you need to add value!
    Just like my Fanpage, you get a free course,,via ebook
    Then 7 days in your inbox!

  25. Nerissa Pace says:

    Great information. I would love your help. I want to promote a group through a fan page that I am the admin on. Why can't I do this? I want to make a connection with the page and the group – and let all the people who are a fan of the page know about the group. Do you know how I can do this?

  26. Agree all the tips you offered here. To add to that, the IDEA, is the very important thing. One best suggestion is to make the title an incomplete sentence like, “You know you're addicted to Facebook if…” The members will be the one to complete the sentence to give it a thought. I've just made this and it has been very successful. This Facebook group page goes viral right now on Facebook. It just started  just last Sunday. Exclusively those who are natives of Davao City, Philippines. :-)  

    You can check it here: http://cebuanddavao.com/2011/0

  27. groups x groups says:

    i have 22 groups i created 1 group only
    my friends always add me in their groups
    before i had 46 i leave some groups of them

  28. Edwardluisnacpil says:

    hi im edward http://www.facebook.com/Mr.Lov… add me im cute :D LOL

  29. Raysumchanda says:

    http://www.facebook.com/groups… Hello folks I'd like you to join this group, my goal is to have more than 260 members please support my Church group.

  30. Become A member
    https://www.facebook.com/group

  31. ABC12305 says:

    so far i have 2,958 people and i want more

  32. Maniyanphy says:

    Please join to ATOF to change world with love and happiness… Here is the link… Share it on  your wall…  https://www.facebook.com/group

  33. Smallman14491 says:

    How to make money free, No experiences needed! Join now ! 100% Free http://www.facebook.com/groups

  34. Join Game Arena 2012…It is A Cool Hangout Place For Gamers……
    http://www.facebook.com/groups

  35. Visit Our Group 
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    And Join Us Today itself
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    An Don't forget to add memers

  36. Please share with your friends
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  37. Fourgasmic says:

    facebook.com/benedictcumberbat… – for all things Benedict Cumberbatch! (:

  38. Bangaloretravelclub says:

    Bangalore Travel Club:

    … a group that travels globally, loves to interact widely and meets in Bangalore. It is a space where we love to share everything about travel.
    You are invited to join our group at http://www.facebook.com/groups

  39. Tracy Davis says:

    I have an online Weight loss support group, and I would love to see others join. We are playing games, sharing recipes, and giving away prizes come check us out at

    https://www.facebook.com/group

  40. ColinGreenwood says:

    http://www.facebook.com/TheWarHoundsClan
    join us now on cod elite and share for share and like for like on facebook and youtube and twitter
     
    https://twitter.com/TheWarHounds
     
     
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=J5THh9MgqcQ

  41. ColinGreenwood says:

    TWH The War Hounds clan
    if you wish to join us then friend request the war hound on xbox live or request join the war hounds on call of duty elite thanks

  42. ColinGreenwood says:

    great article

  43. ShelbiiDamm says:

    We have a group aimed at the Disney City Girl Facebook gaming demographic. We attain teammates requests for separate games as well. We have over 700 members and are just beginning to roll the ball. Please check us out, share our link, join, invite members and most of all have fun!! We have a very active fan base. Enjoy !!! http://www.facebook.com/groups/400080903408330/?fref=ts

  44. Designzone says:

    Check our group out for fitness motivation and events:
    http://designzone.com/facebook

  45. pogisianthony says:
  46. CallumDeanTerry says:
  47. abhijith says:

    join here and ask any technical doubts here https://www.facebook.com/groups/ftwaskdoubts/ 
    pz ad ur friendz tooo

  48. abhijith says:

    ask here and add all ur friendz do not forget to ask doubts @CallumDeanTerry here  join here and & ask any technical doubts https://www.facebook.com/groups/ftwaskdoubts/

  49. ChrisDeSanto says:
  50. NoahAlexanderFeazell says:

    http://www.facebook.com/groups/123816054483099/
    We have wallpapers, cheats, ect. for games.. plz come join

  51. MaskMan says:

    Join Please My Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/IamTheJoker/
     
    Onl for joker luvrs

  52. MaskMan says:
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Trackbacks

  1. [...] you want to get a targeted group of people all in one place then consider forming your own group, you can invite all your friends and in this way, only the people who are interested will be [...]

  2. [...] Facebook Groups:  10 Steps to Make Your Facebook Group Go Viral. “Are You A Lion Or A Sheep? A Facebook group needs strong leadership and clear direction…”  Holograph Life Mapping, October 2008. [...]

  3. [...] Facebook Groups:  10 Steps to Make Your Facebook Group Go Viral. “Are You A Lion Or A Sheep? A Facebook group needs strong leadership and clear direction…”  Holograph Life Mapping, October 2008. [...]

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