How to grow your Facebook page organically

Last week, I published a blog that gave some hints and tips on how to run a paid ad on Facebook. One of the comments I received on FB was, “it’s a waste of time, better off sharing it to groups”. Thanks, random person as you’ve given me the inspiration to write this blog! Growing your Facebook page organically will make you the office hero. Let’s delve in…

Growing your page, the organic way

I’ve had a lot of experience in using paid ads at various companies, including my own side hustle. My first foray into paid ads didn’t go well, I gained nothing from it, so I did it again with some major changes and, hooray, I got exactly what I wanted from it which was Page Likes, better engagement and resulted in actual sales! Paid ads do work, but you’ve got to work at them.

All that said… I actually prefer sharing to groups! Not only because it saves me or the company I’m working for some pennies, but it is very effective. It gets your business name out there to people who are already interested in what you do.

Whenever I bring a new client on board at Function28 and they want to focus on Facebook, one of the first things I do is check which groups they are part of. Secondly, I spend some time on scouting out groups that are related to their industry or groups that have an interest in that product and join it as the business page.

Here’s an example…

I have a client who runs a gorgeous B&B in Devon. On Facebook, their engagement was low, their reach was terrible, they weren’t getting enquiries… They were basically shouting into the void and not getting any responses back. All they wanted was more enquiries and bookings.

Having done my research into their page, I found that they were not part of any groups on Facebook AT ALL.

The owner of the B&B wanted to target those who wanted a countryside break, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. She also wanted to target families. I joined several groups, local and not so local. I joined ‘Staycation’ groups, ‘Holidays in Devon with kids’, ‘Last minute breaks’. Every time I post, I share to these groups.

My client’s social media posts have gone from reaching a handful of people to over 1,000 since taking over the account in March.

Enquiries and bookings have gone up which is exactly what my client wanted, she has also gained a new, bigger following too – winner, winner!

Content, content, content…

Now, sharing to groups isn’t the be all and end all… You’ve got to have good content to make readers interested. Those in the know say your social media content should be 80% educating, informing and entertaining, 20% is reserved to promoting your product. A good stat to keep in mind when you’re thinking about what content you should be putting out there! (See here for my previous blog which includes content ideas.)

To grow your page organically, sharing to groups is something you should definitely be doing as part of your social media strategy on Facebook. It’s such an underrated tool!

Need some help with your social media pages? Contact Gemma on gemma@function28.co.uk.

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