My Facebook Experience

Assuming that you were able to read all the way through my rather lengthy Squidoo Lens introduction (yes, I know, it has alot of words....), now may be a good time to break out a nice bowl of popcorn. Rest assured, my modules don't get any shorter after this, however, Facebook is a massive pandora's box filled with near-unlimited potential, if understood, and utilized, correctly. This fact, alone, I hope will captivate you and keep you salivating for more (just like my South Park character, or one of Pavlov's dogs).

In the event that I bore you, and you don't want to read further (completely understandable), if we are to part ways, just know these things:

• You can use Facebooks' Groups platform to drive considerable traffic to your website and/or Squidoo lens.
• I use my 240,000+ member Facebook Group to do just that. My Facebook Group has grown by 500-1,000 new members, everday, consistently for over a year, as evidenced by the growth statistics that I have taken for my group since creating it.
• Imagine how much traffic you could gain for your website(s) or Squidoo Lens(es) if you could give your Facebook group enough of an appeal to make it go insanely viral?
• You can harness the incredible power of community, in order to create a logo to give your Facebook group the type of appeal that becomes viral, amongst Facebook's worldwide platform of over 175,000,000 active users!
• I include direct, clickable (and relevant) links in my Facebook Groups' Description, as well as, within the link placement functionality that Facebook offers. This means that if you have a Squidoo lens about LOVE, or a dating website, you may want to consider creating a Facebook Group called something like "1,000,000 Strong for Lovers Worldwide".
• In the unfortunate event that something happens to your Facebook account (disabled?), one of the very first things you should consider doing is assigning at least two or three fellow administrators. If your account is ever deleted, and you are the only admin assigned to it, then your Facebook Group will simply cease to exist. No matter how big it is, or how long you worked on building its membership, adding additional administrators to your Facebook Group can serve as an easily applied insurance policy, of sorts.
• I tailor the general theme of my Squidoo Lens(es) to meet the theme of my Facebook Group(s). Because of this, my links are welcomed with open arms, and viewed as a 'resource' by avid group members.
• I contact creators, and admins, of other similar Facebook groups, to see if they will include a link to my group, in their group. This isn't always successful, however, it doesn't hurt to try.
• I utilize well-thought-out, and creative, open-ended questions as the subject line for threads that are created within my Facebook group. Members will frequently contribute their own opinions, when you offer them the opportunity to do so.
• "Come see dirty pictures of me!"
• "What do YOU think about the economy?"
• "Best deals ever on Viagra!"
• "Welcome! Introduce Yourself!"
• "Buy ________ for only $19.95!"
• "How did you find our group?"
• "Look at my Company!"
• "What do you think of this Group, so far?"
• "Find the lowest prices on ____ right here!"
• "What do you think of this issue?" (Healthcare, etc...)
• Once your Facebook Group gets off the ground, you can utilize Facebook's Pages' Platform to complement, and drive traffic to, your Facebook Group.
• NOTE: There are some limitations inherent to the functionality of both Facebook Groups', and Pages', Platform. This is precisely why the best combination is an intelligent, and creative, approach, that utilizes as many aspects of Facebook's website, concurrently, to stake a claim (and, an influence) over as many members as you can. I will discuss those later, as well as, in my other, complementary, Squidoo Lens(es).

For all you chocolate lovers out there, let the rich, delectable, content on this Squidoo Lens captivate your taste-buds to the fullest. Whether your passion be indulging in the latest array of comfort foods, traveling, or, perhaps, politics, prior to making your Facebook Group, it's imperative that you determine these passions. There are, however, many things that you must consider, if you would like for your Facebook group to be a lasting, and beneficial, success.

In all practical application, the 'goal' you set for your Facebook Group should be directly reflected in your group name, as well as, your group picture, or logo (Need help creating a LOGO? I highly recommend you jump over to a community called the 'crowdSPRING' Community, where 13,000+ designers will compete to meet your request, at whatever price you set for your project(s)!). Mild controversy ensues with regards to what your goal should actually be, but, we'll cover that in our NEXT section.

For now, not only is it imperative that your Facebook Group be a reflection of your passion, but, it is also absolutely necessary that your Passion be something others share, as well. If we are to make the most of your Facebook Group, and further develop it into a marketing and promotional machine, you MUST make it appealing to others. Remember, we want to absolutely always encourage the concept of virality with regards to the consistent, daily, membership growth of your Facebook Group. This doesn't mean that you should 'sacrifice' your passion, in order for people to like your Facebook group, however, if you can find a 'happy-medium' that has somewhat of a universal appeal, that is always the most optimum and ideal situation.

When people visit your Facebook Group, they must:

• Be interested in it.
• Be instantly attracted to the appeal of your Group LOGO, or picture.
• Be willing to read through your, hopefully 'Catchy' Group Description.
• Be actively engaged enough, by your limited opportunity to impress them, that they'll, without question or thinking twice, be willing to INVITE all their friends.
• Become loyal to you, to your Facebook Group, and to your cause.
• Be enthusiastic about spending their time, on your Facebook Group.
• Be willing to translate that loyalty into return visits, and, of course, unhindered and unimpeded interest in whatever YOU, as the group creator, recommends or posts

Millions of dollars have been funneled into driving Facebook's business plan, from original ideas and conception, to where it is today: a forefront leader in the world of Social Networking. To throw out an endless supply of graphs, numbers, and statistics, would definitely serve to validate the global notion of Facebook's inherent potential. Without going to deeply, for our purposes, just know that, according to Facebook's official blog, Facebook currently gains roughly 700,000 new, Global, members per week. (Yes, that's right.....I said "700,000").......

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the potential here. Unfortunately, whether you have aspirations to be the next Bill Gates, or simply make an extra $50-$100/month, very few people actually know where to start. Facebook is a good......I mean, GREAT....place to start, and I will tell you why, based on my own personal experiences.

Because I have encountered much of my success through the use of Facebook Group's Platform, I will be teaching you a variety of unique, and creative, ways that I have used my own Facebook group to benefit myself, and others.

• Build, develop, and nurture a Facebook Group that becomes massively Viral.
  
• Exploit that viral-ness.
• Successfully turn your Facebook Group into a brand by either creating your own LOGO or by doing what I did: engaging one of many high-quality LOGO design companies/teams to do it for you. Even still, fortunately, there are a variety of avenues that you can go to have a logo made, for your Facebook group. There are highly-skilled communities that will do it for you, as well. *this is a critical step!
• Increase quality traffic to your Squidoo Lens, or other websites, through the use of Facebook Groups' and Pages' Platforms.
  
• Once you have developed a sizable Facebook group, people/companies will actively seek YOU out and offer you money, in return for advertisement. (I'll explain more, about this, later in this lens!)
  
• Utilize creative ways to integrate your own affiliate links into your massive, viral, Facebook Group.
• Hold weekly/monthly contests, with products that other companies will supply, in return for advertising. (I'll explain more about this later, as well!)
  
• Once you create your Facebook Group, ensure that you take running statistics of the membership growth! *This is an absolutely critical step!

Exploiting the inherent viral nature of Facebook's Groups' Platform can, undoubtedly, make you alot of money, while generating incredible traffic, exposure and interest to your Squidoo Lens(es) and/or personal website(s). Like a sculptor molds his sculpture, any Facebook group you create must be treated with utmost care. Facebook has generously offered this functionality, but, you must still do everything you possibly can to make it your own. We aren't talking about creating a group, only to never visit it again.

If you want Facebook users (yes, all 175,000,000+ of them) to become excited about your Facebook Group, you have to give them a reason to be excited about it, starting with defining your goal

Amidst a whole array of Facebook Groups that currently exist , very few of their founders do things the RIGHT way. Perhaps, they have created their Facebook group without any understanding whatsoever of the potential of Facebook groups, from a marketing and promotional standpoint. There could be a variety of reasons for why they haven't taken full advantage of them, but, in the context of this Squidoo lens, I'll show you how not to make some of the mistakes they have, or, sadly, under-appreciate the value of their own, massive, Facebook Groups.

The truth is, many professions revolve around the basic concept of 'Goal-setting'; without goals, those professionals couldn't construct a building on time, smash a home run record, or, provide optimal care to their patients. Within the context of Facebook, however, the goal you set for your group will, from the very beginning, determine whether or not it succeeds or fails.

In the arena of Facebook Groups' Platform, 'goals' are typically translated into some massive numerical value in order to measure the success, or failure, of that particular group. Thousands of groups have been created that shoot for great things. Whether it's to have the largest group, EVER, on Facebook, or to build the next million-member group, Facebook users are attracted to these goals. It's inherent to our human psyche.

Humans are driven. We are passionate. We set goals, and we strive hard to achieve them. When setting the goal for your Facebook group, you MUST remember this. Not only should you determine your passion, but, I would highly-recommend setting forth a massive goal. Controversy does ensue, however, if the group goal you establish is "too" high or too unrealistic. A delicate balance is immediately warranted. If you set too high of a goal, Facebook users will deem it unreasonable and unrealistic, and will refuse to join and, worst-of-all they won't invite their friends. If you set your Facebook Group Goal too low, they will see the group as meaningless and not worthy of their attention. This is precisely why your Group LOGO will be so important, and, could actually determine your success or failure.

Should you succeed at making your Facebook Group go viral, the possibilities for self-promotion are endless. You can hook up your Facebook Group with direct-clickable links to your Squidoo lens(es) and/or your own personal website, and, users will exert their loyalty to your Facebook Group by 'exploring' the links you recommend.

In general, your Facebook Group goal should be:

• Measurable (a numeric value, preferrably)
• Realistic
• Obtainable
• Sustainable

Rome wasn't built in a day. Neither will your Facebook group be. However, don't be discouraged, young grasshopper, before we hastily jump in to even creating our group, there are some basic things that you will want to consider. Laying a firm, appealing, and unshakable, foundation for your Facebook Group is Paramount, especially......especially......if you want it to have a long, and beneficial, lifespan.

The 'appeal' that you give your Facebook group, in this initial stage, will be directly related to Facebook users interest in it, to the point where they will willfully send out friend invitations, as well as, of course, clicking the links that you place in your "Group Description" and "Links' Section".

As you can see in the picture, my Facebook Group's LOGO is simple, unique, and conveys a unifying message, which has been effective enough to consistently gain 500-1,000 new members, everyday, for the last year. This is evidenced by the group growth statistics that I have taken since the group's conception.

The LOGO that I ultimately decided to use for my group was actually a slight variation of a LOGO that the Logo Company designed, for me, for a whole different project entirely. After changing the coloring to simple black & white, while integrating the group name, this became the LOGO/Brand that has stuck with my group for so long.

Ideally, it would stand to reason that this step *SHOULD* go hand-in-hand with the design, and development, of your Group's LOGO. Afterall, it makes the most sense that you would want your actual group name to be included in your LOGO. Prior to engaging any logo design company, it's best if you know exactly what you want to call your group.

What seems like it should be such a simple step can easily become diluted with a plethora of considerations. This is precisely where several schools of thought emerge, that Iv'e noticed, related to the actual naming of one's Facebook Group. This step ultimately goes hand in hand with the goal that you have defined, because, I would HIGHLY advise including that specific numerical 'goal' in your Facebook Group name.

Here is where understanding the broader scale of Facebook Group functionality is crucial. It's not 'just' a group, instead, Facebook's functionality has also been designed so that every new member, who joins your Facebook Group, will automatically have that action detailed in their NEWS' FEED, which will, at the moment of their joining your group, will be proclaimed to the rest of their friends. This is a good thing.......a VERY good thing......for YOU, Because your group name will be displayed in their news feed, it is important that you pick a name, and goal, that excites and resonates with people. Based on my own experience, Iv'e seen people go about this in an entirely wrong way.

Just like how Squidoo has generously offered an array of 'modules' for lensmasters to manipulate, and further express themselves with, so also does Facebook offer quite an array of functionality that must be understood in order to utilize (and, exploit) them to their fullest.

For example, since we have been discussing the best way to approach building a group, Facebook actually doesn't allow mass emailing to your group members, after you have achieved over 5,000 members. On one hand, this is disheartening to some, especially those who love the immediate capability of having a mass email list, courtesy of Facebook, at their ready disposal.

Facebook intentionally limits this functionality for several reasons:

• To limit the use of their Groups' Platform, especially by those who would use it to market, and promote products.
• To hinder large groups from utilizing this platform to organize even further, in perhaps a political or protest manner.
• To ensure that any ONE person (YOU: the founder of the Group) doesn't have excessive 'reach', and further persuasion. It is very possible for Facebook Groups' Platform to give any one person a significant amount of 'power', so it always pays to be humble, and 'quiet' about your techniques, especially when you begin receiving hundreds of new visitors to your website(s) everyday.

Despite these limitations that Facebook has intentionally placed, there a quite an array of creative techniques that you can use to circumvent this functionality. This essentially requires one's ability to think 'outside-of-the-box', by utilizing other Facebook functionality to 'complement' your Facebook Group. Once you reach a viral-status with your membership growth, you can utilize your Facebook Group to direct traffic to a 'complementary' Facebook Page.

I have explained the difference between Facebook Pages and Facebook Groups HERE: (I will have this link re-direct to another Squidoo Lens upon completion of THAT lens).

Once you successfully build your Facebook group, rest assured, it will require maintenance. Maintaining your group will only serve to benefit you because it will demonstrate to any of your new members, and current members, that your group is fresh and deserving of their becoming passionate about.

Unfortunately, Facebook's Groups' Platform is really quite limited in how you can actually convey 'freshness' in your group. This has been difficult to pull-off, at times, however, some creative thinking has led me to several approaches that are simple, and give my group a hint of 'new-ness', that consistently attracts roughly 500-1,000 new members evveryday.

Here is what I do:

• I include the day's date (April XX, XXXX) as the very first thing new members encounter in the group description section. This is such a simple step, and only takes 10 seconds (at the most) to change every day. For a very long time, I presented my Facebook group without the date, and, suddenly, one day, a light bulb went off. I had to ensure that my Facebook group was always current and conveyed 'new-ness' to every new member, if I had expected them to become excited, and passionate about it.
• As you continue to grow your Facebook group, you will naturally come across people who are passionate about it. Delegate. Delegate. Delegate. For my group, I have assigned trustworthy admins, and we all essentially take turns cleaning up SPAM and changing the group's date, with every new day. Whenever I have to go away to train with the Army for any extended period of time, I can rest assured that they will upkeep the group: keeping it clean, updated, and current, while I'm gone.
• Update your recent news section, with news that is pertinent to your group's general theme. This should also be news that your group members will enjoy reading. The more you 'give' to your members, by tailoring your group as a great community, meeting-ground, and resource, the more they will give back to you.
• Ensure that SPAM is removed from your Group's wall as often as possible. It is typically best if you can assemble a very trustworthy team of admins that can police your group throughout the day, with very little absence. This may require working around each other's 'real world' schedules. Facebook is a huge part of many people's lives, however, it isn't the only thing they do in life.
• Remember, the more viral your group becomes, typically, the more SPAM you will encounter. They are directly related because users naturally want to peddle their products in groups that have consistent daily growth. Learn to manage it, and use your viral growth to your benefit, because the SPAM will simply never go away.
• If you can take the initial steps to executing the growth and development of your Facebook Group, you should be prepared for immediate popularity. As each new person joins your group, they will naturally gravitate to the list of Admins and moderators, to see the quality of people that are running the group. For this reason, it's important that you also have a Facebook Profile Picture that you reflects who you are in the best possible light. (I wouldn't advise having a fake image or picture that isn't YOU, as your profile picture)