New members join your Facebook group for a variety of reasons. They may be passionate about your topic, interested in learning new information or looking to connect with people in their industry. Whatever the reason, it is crucial that you make them feel welcome and valued.
The more new members feel in your Facebook group, the more likely they are to engage and participate in your group. Keep reading to learn how to welcome new members to a Facebook group in 2021.
Create a welcome post
You can create a welcome post for your most recent members who have joined your Facebook group in the past seven days. This post can serve as a way to introduce yourself and share why you started the group. You can also provide information on the purpose of your group, any specific rules for engagement, and a welcoming note to new members.
You can create this welcome post once and pin it to the Announcements section of your Facebook group. This is a great option if you receive a steady stream of new members and do not have time to create new posts on a regular basis.
Another option is to create a welcome post each week and tag your new members. You only have to post once a week, but you can make the welcome message more personal. To create this post, select Groups from your news feed. Then, click Write Post below Members. Finally, you can customize your message before posting.
If you have new members joining more sporadically, you can greet them individually. Use their answers to your three welcome questions to customize a personal message welcoming them to your group. You can thank them for joining and learn more about what they hope to get out of the Facebook group.
Boost your initial welcome message
You can help your welcome post stand out even more by having your team members comment and like it. If you are running your Facebook group on your own, you can encourage your veteran members to comment on the post. The more you strengthen your welcome message, the more welcome your new members will feel.
Introduce veteran members
Introducing your veteran members, fellow admins, or moderators is another great way to welcome new members to your Facebook group in 2020. Create a team or task force that serves as a welcoming committee for new members, greeting them when they join and checking in periodically. This team can help new members feel welcome and encourage them to participate in the group. Be sure to thank your existing members who help out by privately acknowledging them.
Encourage your community to reach out
Welcoming new members to your Facebook group involves introducing them to the culture and style of your group. Reaching out to new members should be a regular part of your Facebook group’s culture and established from the start.
You should make a point to regularly encourage your comminute to reach out to new members and form new connections. Welcoming new members can be a task for your entire Facebook group, not just you.
Monitor conversations
Making people feel welcome in your Facebook group also includes monitoring conversations. You want to make sure that your new members are a great fit for your group and that existing members are treating them with respect. It is important for owners of a Facebook group to monitor conversations taking place within the group and ensure they follow the guidelines you have set out.
While you hope to avoid the situation, it may be necessary to remove a new or existing member from your group if they are unfriendly or break the group rules. You can also step in when needed by monitoring conversations and individually addressing any issues you may notice. Creating a safe environment with conversations that are polite can help all members, especially new ones, feel welcome in your Facebook group.
Pin important information
When new members join your group, they have the chance to scroll back through your group’s feed. However, if there is important information they need to know about your group, it can be easily lost in the shuffle. You can welcome new members by keeping them informed instead of making them feel like an outsider.
If you have shared important information with your group, pin it to the top of your group. Make your introduction, rules and guidelines, and valuable information easily accessible for all members. Your new Facebook group members will feel in the know from day one.
Offer engagement opportunities
If you want your new members to become engaged with your Facebook group, you have to offer plenty of opportunities for engagement. Regularly respond to posts or questions posted to your group, so your members feel heard and valued. You should also pose questions to your group or post discussion prompts.
Consider setting up a challenge to get your new members engaged. Post a challenge that is relevant to the focus of your group and encourage members to share a wide range of perspectives and opinions. Challenges are easy ways for people to feel compelled to post to the group, especially for the first time.
You can also record live videos to provide another outlet for your group. New members will get to see your face and learn a little more about your personality. Video content, especially a live video that is unedited, can often feel more personal that text posts alone. Be sure to share photos, articles, and a variety of content to appeal to all members of your group.
Spotlight members
Finally, you can spotlight individual members to make your group feel like more of a community. You may have started your group to sell your products or services, but people will likely leave if you only post about your business. Highlighting members of your group can help form connections within your community and make your group feel more personal.
Does a new member have an interesting perspective? Share quotes from them or a short bio. Does a veteran member offer unique value for new members? Highlight them in a video or photo. These posts can make everyone feel more welcome in your group.
Final Thoughts
When new members join your Facebook group, it is important to make them feel welcome as quickly as possible. Members who feel valued and appreciated are more likely to stick around and engage with your group. By taking the time to set up a culture that welcomes new members and consistently engages within the group, you can set the standard that benefits your business and your community.
The three welcome questions you ask all group members will be crucial in making your members feel welcome as well. Your questions should collect their contact information, which benefits your business. But, you should also learn more about them, their interest, and their purpose for joining the group. This information can be instrumental in learning about your members, providing quality content, and making them feel welcome with personal messages.
Streamline your Facebook group leads by automating your data collection with Group Leads. This Google Chrome extension enables you to compile the data from your welcome questions and new group members into a convenient Google Sheet or transfer it directly into your CRM. Save time and better serve your group members with Group Leads. Install Group Leads today.