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Most Silhouette and Cricut small business owners know that social media, like Facebook, is a free way to promote your small business. Unfortunately for Facebook Page owners, Facebook has monetized Facebook Pages. This means Facebook limits the reach of your posts, unless you are willing to pay. If you are interested in reaching more potential buyers through Facebook, consider starting a Facebook Group.
Differences Between Facebook Pages and Groups
Facebook Page: A public page on Facebook where anyone can see updates by visiting the page on Facebook. Additionally, anyone can “like” the page to receive page updates in their newsfeed. Unfortunately, Facebook limits the number of people who actually see your posts in their newsfeed, unless you pay. Tomorrow, we will look at paying for boosted posts on Facebook.
Facebook Group: A community of people interested in the same thing on Facebook. Groups can be open (anyone can see and join the group – including search engines), closed (anyone can see the group and its members, but only members can see the posts – must be approved to join), and secret (invitation only, cannot be seen or found via search unless you are a member of the group). At the time of writing this post (December, 2015) – Facebook groups are not being monetized by Facebook. What does all of this mean? This means that your posts have a better chance of being seen by Facebook Group members.
Should Your Silhouette or Cricut Business Have a Page or a Group?
Your small business should have a Facebook Page. If you haven’t already set this up, take a look at this post. If you’d like to have add a group to your social media lineup, I think it is a great idea. This increases the number of people who are likely to see your updates. I do not think it is a good idea to have only a Facebook Group, because not every customer who wants to stay in touch with your business will want to join the group.
Keys to a Successful Facebook Group
- Call it a club, VIP Program, or something catchy. You want your customers to feel special when joining. Do not refer to it simply as a Facebook Group.
- Post regularly to your Facebook Group.
- Post different content to your Facebook Group than your Facebook Page.
- Do not neglect your Facebook Page. You will still need to post daily to your Facebook Business Page.
- If customers are searching for you on Facebook and are getting confused because of your group, you can make your group secret.
- Have a backup plan. Facebook is notorious for unannounced changes. In the event that Facebook changes the format of groups and it no longer suitable for small business you need to have a way to reach customers.
Today, I’m opening The Insider’s Club on Facebook. The Insider’s Club features daily, targeted discussion of issues related to creating and selling products with your Silhouette or Cricut. The format may be different than other Silhouette or Cricut groups you are in, so please be sure to read the welcome information upon joining. See you in the Club!
Since 2015, Christine Schinagl has been helping crafters start and run craft businesses through her blog, Cutting for Business. As a Silhouette and Cricut crafter herself, she has a unique take on what works and what doesn’t work in the craft business world. She also teaches a course on creating digital SVG designs, available at How to Design SVGs.
Dave Cearley
Monday 4th of January 2016
Great advice! I've been telling people this for over a year. Social media should be used to drive traffic to YOUR web site or blog. Social media sites primary function is to extract money from you, not to make money for you.
Christine
Monday 4th of January 2016
Dave, I couldn't agree more!