If you are a savvy business owner, then we’re pretty sure you are up-to-date on most things to do with Facebook, but have you explored Facebook groups? From parenting, to renovating to business, there is a Facebook group that will suit almost any business, and offers a platform to promote your business, products and services.

Finding Relevant Groups

You can only join groups from your personal profile (and not from your business page). To find groups relevant to you simply go to the search box where it says ‘Find friends’ and type in your main keywords … for example ‘Gold Coast Businesses’.

Don’t hit enter straight away, instead scroll to the bottom where it says ‘See more results for Gold Coast Businesses’.

There is a list on the left hand side with the title ‘Result Type’, select ‘Groups’ – and then join the groups relevant to you. Unless it is an open group, you will have to wait for one of the Admin’s to approve you.

Facebook Groups for Promotion

While many of the Facebook groups you sign up to will have strict rules about posting advertisements, others will allow you to advertise as much as you want. While it may seem tempting to post an advertisement every day – remember, this will clog up peoples feeds, and they will end up getting annoyed with you. So try to be mindful about how often you do post, and keep on the good side of your potential customers. Remember, Facebook isn’t all about advertising; it is also about engaging with your customers.

Engaging on Facebook

As we have just stated, Facebook isn’t just about advertising, rather think of it as a tool to network with potential customers and conducting value market research. Social platforms such as Facebook and Twitter give you an opportunity to converse with customers in a way that hasn’t been as accessible as it is today. Offer feedback, ask questions and generally strike up conversations with your prospects and earn their trust. Utilise this opportunity and see your marketing efforts prosper.

Facebook is the modern day focus group, and costs much less than what marketing companies used to charge in the days of old. Facebook groups offer another in to getting in front of your core customers, and building a rapport with them.

If you can't invest the time into Facebook, then maybe Facebook isn't the right medium for you.