How to Grow a Facebook Group Without Spending a Penny: A Comprehensive Guide

In the spring of 2017, Ell Duclos found herself in a lonely position. She had started a blog covering lifestyle beauty and motivation but found the blogging journey to be a lone endeavor. That’s when it occurred to her— she needed to develop an online community of bloggers! Today, that community, famously known as the Boss Girl Bloggers Facebook group, is an engaged circle of 36,813 members.

Wondering how Ell grew her group with like-minded people while also working full-time as a server? To dig into Ell’s growth formula, I reached out to her and had a chat about her top tips, mistakes she made as she widened her online circle, and her recap of how she grew her Facebook group from zero to over thirty-six thousand active group members. Let’s dive in!

But first, some basics:

How to Grow Your Facebook Group from 0 to 36K Members Without Spending a Dime

Facebook groups have seen growth north of 40% in 2018. More than half of Facebook's 1.4 billion users are part of groups. So it makes sense to leverage this, doesn't it? A Facebook group can help you establish yourself as a subject-matter expert. For instance, Ell is widely known for her expertise in growing blogs organically. Her followers look up to her to solve hiccups they encounter in their blogging endeavor.

For brands, using Facebook groups to build brand loyalty by showing their human side and sharing what they stand for is a great strategy. An engaged Facebook community is also a fantastic place to learn about your audience, understand their pain points, and plan your content around the feedback you receive.

Are you ready to grow your newly created Facebook group? Read on to find out how you can run an impactful and engaged community online, starting with setting clear objectives:

1. What Are Your Objectives Behind the Facebook Group?

Clearly define what you aim to achieve with your Facebook group. Whether you want to offer support, gather insights, or gain credibility, knowing your goals will guide your strategy.

2. How to Plan a Growth Strategy for Your Facebook Group

Develop a plan that outlines the steps you'll take to grow your group. This might include regular content posting, engaging discussions, and consistent marketing efforts to attract new members.

3. How Will You Promote Your Facebook Group?

Implement strategies such as sharing your group link on other social media platforms, collaborating with other groups, and participating in relevant online forums to attract members.

4. How to Get Engagement in Your Facebook Group

Encourage healthy discussions and interactions by posting engaging content, asking thought-provoking questions, and responding to member comments promptly. User-generated content and community challenges can also boost engagement.

5. How to Keep Your Facebook Group Members Engaged

To prevent your group from becoming boring, regularly update it with fresh and relevant content. Feature member spotlights, organize events, and encourage members to share their own content and experiences.

7 Wrapping It Up with Ell’s Top Tips on How to Grow Your Facebook Group

7.1 Don’t Sell, Make Friends

Avoid promoting your products or services too aggressively. Instead, focus on building relationships and providing value to your members. Membership comes naturally when people feel valued and supported.

7.2 Be Vulnerable

Show your human side by sharing personal stories and experiences. This can help build trust and foster a community environment where members feel comfortable sharing their own struggles and triumphs.

7.3 Offer Free Value

Provide valuable content and resources for free. This can establish you as an authority in your field and attract more members who are looking for guidance and support.

Do you want to learn more about Facebook groups? Let me know in the comment box.