Everyone and their mother wants to create a Facebook group about some kind of random notion or cause.  Many believe their group will take off wildly and gain hundreds of users a day if not thousands.  Many are disappointed when after 6 months, they are still the only member of that group.  Who would have thought your the only one who loves ‘eating chocolate covered broccoli while watching Grey’s Anatomy‘.

1. Are there groups out there already you could join?  Sure you can’t be admin and have the control, but if a group already exists, it’s unlikely that your group will flourish.  If a group exists, they have claimed stake first at the top of the digital ant hill, and will likely keep momentum if they have a following started already.  Don’t try to fight the other group if it fits the same interest as you.  Segmenting the group’s in Facebook is just terrible, and nobody wins with users scattered among 20 of the same groups!
2. Back to the basics!  If you want your group to be attractive and visually appealing while users browse search results, you need a picture.  Make sure it is appropriate to your group and appeals to the kind of people who might want to join.  I prefer pictures that are overlays on top of a white background.  It works fantastic for logos and product photos.  It makes your group picture look very clean and really pop on search results.  Put up a picture!!!
3. Fill out all the basic information that you possibly can!  Group members like feeling part of a community or cause, something they can identify with.  When they click on a group and see no information on why the group was founded, what it stands for and its purpose for existence, they are less likely to join.  Keeping fresh content updated in the recent news can also aid in pulling new members in, and get ‘return visitors’ looking at the group consistently.
4. Don’t get message happy.  One guaranteed way to drive away members away is getting carried away with the ‘Message All Members’.  Members who are ‘transient’ or just join because their best friend invited them will quickly exit if you direct message them.  The real question is do you really want or need these ‘on the fence’ members within the group?  I say yes, because they could become interested at some point.  However, only use the ‘Message All Members’ button under the most important circumstances.
5. If your a net geeker guru, publicize your group like you would your web page.  Blog about it, post it on your site via widget, social bookmark your groups address, tweet about it.   Your Facebook group is no different then any other Internet element, it needs to be nurtured before it will start snowballing on its own.   This is especially true with Facebook groups.  If you can drive an initial 50-100 members, you will start a slow member drive by viral spread through out your members networks.

Do you have any Facebook best practices?  Post a comment, I’d love to hear them!