Most nonprofit organizations understand that Facebook is the largest social media platform on the planet and they strive to spend even a little bit of time posting on a Facebook page. But, there is one thing that would set many nonprofits apart:
To the Facebook group!
Although a Facebook page is great, it’s usually about your work and organization. People know this, so if you want to engage your followers and the public in a way that stands out from other nonprofits, creating a Facebook group is a great option.
What is the most important thing NoWhat to do if you create a Facebook group?
The answer is that you shouldn’t make your group focus on you. Doing so is the fastest way to make the people who follow you decide to change their mind and unfollow your group. A group, like in the non-digital world, is about community, and a group gives you an opportunity to strike up a conversation with your followers.
What are some examples of great nonprofit Facebook groups?
Nonprofit Happy Hour is a great group because it creates a space for nonprofits to share their best ideas and tips (and the things that didn’t work so well, too).
Nonprofits on Facebook is all about…you guessed it…how nonprofits can harness the power of Facebook to help spread their message.
Nonprofit Social Media Storytelling is a group that helps organizations effectively tell their story to the public.
There are many other groups that you can discover on Facebook that help non-profit organizations, and many charities that use Facebook groups to communicate about issues and topics relevant to them and their followers.
What is the best strategy to create a group on Facebook?
Take a look at your mission. Choose the most important topics related to your purpose and provide your followers with information about changes or developments in your industry. Talk about it and share plenty of relevant third-party content that will help educate and inform your followers. Remember, your supporters are interested in your work because of your programs, but also because of the issues related to your mission.
What else do I need to do to make sure my Facebook group engages well?
One of the first places to learn how to stand out on Facebook, even in groups, is to visit Facebook’s Nonprofit Resource Center.
Another great resource is Facebook Blueprint, which is their educational platform and helps you learn other tips and tricks to grow your Facebook audience in many ways, including groups.
Finally, remember to keep in mind that a group fosters the community, while a page is usually just about the nonprofit. So when you develop a Facebook group, treat it like you would any community activity you’re doing. Keep it fun, informative, engaging, and remember to get great content from others and from yourself.
