It's easy to start a Group. Just go to the side menu on your Home page and select Groups (if it's not there you may have to select More).

Choose a Group Name and group icon (using the dropdown menu) that will appear on the left side of Facebook for your members. I chose a video icon for "My Group" and start typing names of friends to add them to the group. Don't forget to select Privacy Settings which make the group Public (and searchable) or Closed (private).

If you're going to add people to a group – let them know first! Many times I've been added to a group without my knowledge and start getting Facebook messages and emails regarding group activities. I usually leave the group immediately with negative goodwill.

You should also join a couple of Groups (you may have already). It's a great opportunity to understand how they work, and create awareness for YOU. If you're out there in groups commenting, contributing, and helping others you'll be recognized as an expert in your field. Understand your intention up front. You might join a group to learn from veteran photographers (digital photography group), connect with potential partners (wedding vendors group), or find new potential clients in your area (local mom group).

IF YOU'RE IN GROUPS COMMENTING,

CONTRIBUTING, AND HELPING OTHERS

YOU'LL BE RECOGNIZED AS AN EXPERT IN YOUR FIELD.

Search for a group using http://www.facebook.com/search/.

Groups aren't without limitations. One of the limitations of groups is that anything new on the Group Wall, will not post on the wall of the members. The way you will have to alert members of anything new happening, you will need to send out a Facebook e-mail.

Groups don't go viral as well as Facebook Fan Pages since what happens in the group stays in the group (from a Facebook perspective).

In any case, you can have discussions and wall posts on Groups. You can't add anything really special to a Group page to make it more unique. You can have multiple officers who can control the content. And people can invite others to join as well as you inviting people to join.

You can also have a more general Group topic where you brand yourself as a leader in the industry by facilitating the group. Groups are good for a short-term focused goal. Like 100 Days until the End of the Year Goal setting group. Or they are good for a team, like a Direct Sales team you want to communicate with. But remember to email fairly regularly to encourage participation and to remain visible.

© Zach Prez

If you liked this article and want to know more about how to effectively setup and use Facebook and Twitter Check out Zach's new eBook Photographer's Social Media Handbook

About Zach Prez

Dad, social cyclist, and author of 6 ebooks for photographers. He loves to talk marketing over a cup of Lipton tea. Like me | Tweet me | Circle me