Sometime around two years ago was when I gave up on Facebook. I wasn’t using it to connect to my peers like I was in college, I rarely used to to find useful information, and it was generally a huge time-suck for me. This all changed when I started getting more involved with Facebook groups a couple months ago. I’ve come to love logging in and seeing what my fellow business owners and creative friends are up to — what they’re working through, or the random funny life post. Getting involved with Facebook groups as a creative entrepreneur has helped me feel connected to others going through similar situations, and has opened the doors to resources that have not been possible elsewhere.

Today I want to share 9 ways you can engage in Facebook groups as a creative entrepreneur

ONE: Share your struggles

A lot of the business-centered Facebook groups I have been a part of have been a supportive place to share things I have been struggling through as a business owner. While you like to stay on the positive side, these groups are full of people who have been there done that, and they want to help! The advice you get in these groups in invaluable.

TWO: Compare and contrast

Have a decision that you need to make and you need a second opinion? Facebook groups are a great place to engage with an active audience who are wanting to see you succeed. I like to post two versions of designs that I’m working through to see what resonates with the group. It’s so easy for someone to type out A or B to give you an answer on what they like better. When anyone else does this in groups I’m involved with, I think it’s so fun to hear how they worked through their decision. It gets me excited about their vision and their business.

THREE: Answer as an expert

In Facebook groups, you can really shine as an expert in your field. Members are constantly asking questions, and when you have experience in what someone is asking, here is where you can help others and also build your credentials as an expert in your field. Everyone has different experiences, so even if you are differing from the opinions others are giving, it will definitely help out the member asking the question with a well-rounded answer. Also, the more information you can give will also help out other members in the group. I can’t tell you how many times I am silently reading and taking in information from threads others are writing on. Without engaging, I’m picking up on such useful information.

FOUR: Test out an idea

Facebook groups are the perfect place to get an idea out into an audience to gather information. While I haven’t done it yet, I have seen many others ask questions about new products they are hoping to release, new course ideas, and services they hope to give to others. While you shouldn’t use the responses as an end-all-be-all, they can be a great place to start when you get one of those ah-ha moments.

FIVE: Shout out

Love what one of your friends or what another blogger or creative entrepreneur is up to? Share their inspiration and share the love with your groups! People love getting recommendations for great new books to read, articles to enjoy, and products that will help them along their journey. This also shows your fellow group members that you want to help and grow more than just your own business — you’re a helpful member who wants to pass on the love. This also helps when others are asking questions. When you can answer as an expert (three), and share an experience you had with a product / book / or service, you’re winning all the bonus points ;)

SIX: Share a funny experience

Some of my biggest laughs come from the stories friends are sharing in facebook groups. Here’s a favorite. If you have any funny moments that happen at work or along your journey as a creative entrepreneur, SHARE! It’s more than likely others have had similar experiences, can relate, or just really need the laugh. Facebook groups aren’t always meant for all things serious.

SEVEN: Share useful self-promotional material

Do you have a product, service, or blog post that you think the group would find helpful? This is the place to share! While all Facebook groups are different, and some might not allow these types of self-promotional posts, these can be over-done. If you do share something self-promotional, be sure to frame it in a useful scenario. Write a little about what you were going through that lead to creating this product / service / post and why you think it would be a good fit to share. Write about who it might be most useful for. Here, Alicia is doing a great job at posting something slightly self-promotional while giving the members of the group some big-time value. She’s reaching out to collaborate, and showing how her past collaborations have worked well in the past. The biggest thing with sharing anything self-promotional is not over-doing it, and that you are giving more value than you are taking. It’s no fun to be a part of a group where people are sharing each and every one of their latest products / blog posts / or services that they are offering. In some groups, there is a post or a day where these are all acceptable, and it’s fun to browse through everything all at once. Another thing that some groups are doing is adding in a group ‘shop’ where members can post the services and products they offer (often at slight discounts) to group members. This has been a great way for me to meet new people and purchase services I have been personally needing around here.

EIGHT: Look to hire from your groups

Do you need a virtual assistant, a designer, or someone to do hand-lettering for an invite? These groups are full of great resources, and people love to share about their talented friends (see five!). Every time I’ve been looking to hire for Pinegate Road, I reach out to my Facebook groups first. Again, these Facebook groups are full of people who have been-there-done-that, and they sincerely want to help and give you good advice. If you’re dipping your toes into delegating work for your business, I highly recommend starting with your Facebook groups.

NINE: Share your successful moments

Sometimes it can be lonely as a creative entrepreneur. Facebook groups are a great way to connect with others who UNDERSTAND. Sometimes, knocking off three do-to’s and finishing the night with enough time to have a glass of wine and watch netflix is a HUGE victory. Share it! Did you reach a major goal of yours? Did you have the most awesome day ever? Did someone give you a super kind compliment? Facebook groups are the place to share to get those virtual high-fives. Chances are, there are only a handful of people in your day-to-day life that really get what you’re going after as a creative entrepreneur. Facebook groups provide a place to share those small and large victories with sometimes thousands of others who DO get it.

Have you been looking for new groups to join on Facebook? I’ve created a special round-up of my favorite groups to be involved with as a creative entrepreneur. Also, I’ve bit the bullet and created a facebook group especially for my creative friends here on Pinegate Road. If you’d like to be a founding member of the group and get to know other creatives making their dreams a reality, We’d love to have you! Click below to get the list and the invite: