How can I attract Facebook users to my telecommuting Facebook Group?

February 11, 2009 8:23 PM

How can I attract Facebook users to my telecommuting Facebook Group?

I've been working to create a community on Facebook for people who want to telecommute. We're up to 100 members, but it has taken several weeks to get to that point. I've invited my friends on Facebook, and announced it once or twice on Twitter. Conversations are starting now, but I'd like to see a lot more going on in the group... and hoping more members will help. What else can I do to get the word out to people?

posted by ckohrman to computers & internet (11 comments total)

[removed the link to your group - put it in your profile if you want people to see it]
posted by jessamyn at 8:35 PM on February 11

Isn't this more of a 'Linked In' type group? I think the applicable saying is don't Facebook where you eat.
posted by theclaw at 8:36 PM on February 11

Not sure about a ban, but yeah it's not a good use of ask.mefi. I think Facebook is not a good venue for something like this; the group system is far too unbounded and chaotic. If you're trying to hook up people locally, maybe a craigslist or twitter thing. If nationally, maybe a phpBB forum, though it's pretty damn hard to get one rolling these days.
posted by crapmatic at 8:36 PM on February 11

(never mind my opening comment, looks like jessamyn nipped the problem)
posted by crapmatic at 8:37 PM on February 11

You need to get your website launched. Then send out press releases.
posted by Maisie Jay at 8:54 PM on February 11

Try taking out an ad on facebook?
posted by jacalata at 9:10 PM on February 11

Announce it in other work related groups.
posted by Pants! at 9:24 PM on February 11

What's a telecommuting FB group? I'm on telewok today - one day a week - but what exactly would we discuss? If it's OK to do my laundry while on telework? Also seconding that it might be better on LinkedIn, but I'm still baffled.
posted by fixedgear at 4:25 AM on February 12

Cross-pollinate, as they say.

You need to find other groups for people with similar interests. Invite members of those groups, invite them to share the link, and ideally the viral nature of Facebook should take its course. It's a publicity thing. Which Facebook already does fairly well based on status updates and notifications. You can, however, help it along.

Also, use other social networking platforms to support this. It might not be your primary approach, but using something like twitter is a fantastic way to draw support for your group. All it takes is a presence, regular (USEFUL!?!?!?!)* messages, and some link-back to Facebook to increase your click traffic.

*I personally hate twitter, but accept that it can - in some limited cases - be useful.
posted by greekphilosophy at 6:38 AM on February 12

I might be wrong here but this isn't really what Facebook is for. I'll join a group if:

a) It's something I like and I want other people to know I like it without directly saying it.

b) I'm working on a short-lived project with a few people and the group is closed/secret.

c) It's funny.

I don't think I've ever discussed anything, or visited the group to follow a discussion, ever. Sure, I'll post a one-liner or something every once in a while, but I'm not there to have in depth discussions.

From past experience, the success of a group is dependant on a few things.

a) The group photo needs to be good. Clip art? Or a boring stock photo? No thank you. The photo doesn't always HAVE to be related anyway. It's Facebook, not serious business.

b) The description has to be short and to the point.

c) Can't be boring. Absolutely cannot be boring. If it's boring or full of jargon or acronyms, no go.

d) There has to be a point. If you have a group for telecommuting; what is the point of it? Maybe try making a list of "Things All Telecommuters Do" or "You Know You're a Telecommuter When..." or something like that. Make that the group title and have the description contain your list or whatever. The wall, or the discussion area, is where people can start talking, if you need it. I'm going to emphasize this again, Facebook is not serious business. It can immensely help the promotion of a website/event/whatever and in that case, it's a great marketing tool, but only when used properly.

Invite people, set your status to refer to your group. Not something like, "Join the Telecommuting Group Today!!!" but more like "hahaha, has anyone seen this?: http://insertgroupaddress"

Also, you can't force it. If people are joining in mass amounts, it may simply be something people aren't interested in, but that's okay. The beauty of Facebook, you don't lose anything. Group didn't take? Delete it and try again.

I HIGHLY suggest you DO NOT buy ads to promote your group. You might as well throw money into the ocean.

Good luck.
posted by 913 at 3:11 AM on February 14

Thanks to everyone who noticed my noob errors in this post, and corrected me instead of banning me... yikes! I'll be more careful next time.

@greekphilosophy @913- thanks for your detailed responses. I'll definitely work on the suggestions you both have made :-)
posted by ckohrman at 1:13 PM on March 2