S3E3 | Did you know that you can actually over-engage in your group
Episode Description:
When your group members feel seen, your engagement flourishes and people don’t want to leave your community! Sandra discusses multiple easy ways to acknowledge your group members, support them, and even get them engaged in a friendly competition.
Show notes
“Sometimes when people come to expect something and they don’t get it, they become unhappy. So I don’t want that expectation for you.”
I’ve said it before but it’s worth repeating: your role in engaging your group is key. Sure, there are plenty of groups where the leader is never there, or may not even be a part of the group (think celebrities). But for those of us not currently experiencing fame and fortune, people want to be in your group not only for the content, but so they can get to know you. So get in there, tiger!
Am I asking you to be in your group 24/7? Definitely not for your free group. A good way to think about it is that the people that are paying you the most are the ones that should be the ultimate priority. Then work your way down from there.
I still want you to be active in your free Facebook group, but know that there’s a fine balance and that isn’t where you want to spend all of your time. Be available, not eager.
If you’re in your group every week, answering questions, doing a Q&A, or doing training, you’re setting an expectation for your members that you’re always going to be giving out this free advice. So when you do a launch and go to sell something, and you’re super available in your free group, that will actually discourage people from buying that program, or whatever you’re selling, because you’re already giving them what they want and need. If you’re trying to sell a membership, people won’t feel the need to join because they already have weekly access to you and know that you’ll already answer any question they have.
You can have so much content in your free group that members can feel overwhelmed. Having weekly, or even daily posts might feel like you’re really engaging your group, but in the long run, people stop responding to these constant posts. This will also complicate things if you need to take a vacation, or just a break.
Always think about the long run and what will be sustainable. When I first started my group, I didn’t have regularly scheduled Q&As, I scheduled them as they came. Sometimes when people come to expect something and they don’t get it, they become unhappy, so I don’t want that expectation for you. I don’t want them to come in and expect something scheduled every time. The best approach that I’ve found is to take things day by day. Even in the beginning, don’t set the expectation that you’ll always be available on a certain day.
Remember, just acknowledging your members goes a long way. You don’t have to have these huge weekly commitments or expectations. Just offering words of encouragement to members or thanking them for being a part of a community can be more effective.
Now while you shouldn’t be eagerly over-engaging your group, life happens and sometimes you don’t feel like posting. Your mental health is really important, and sometimes you need to step back from your group. And that’s totally ok. At that point you can either tell your group you’re going to take some time off for a mental health break, or if you have team members you can have them take on a little bit more in the group.
Just remember, people are joining your group because they want to engage with you. Finding that balance between over and under-engaging is key to growing, engaging, and monetizing your group. I’ll see you in the next episode!
*special episode*