Monetizing a Large Facebook Group? Has anyone had success doing it?

[x3xsolxdierx3x]

A Google search I did actually led me to a thread, on this forum, where an individual was talking about monetizing his Facebook Group, which had, rather impressively, gained over 2,000,000 members..... (I believe, it was called 'the Snowball Effect' or something of that nature)

Has anyone here had success with using a large Facebook Group, to promote/advertise/ drive traffic to their websites? Have you used it to promote your Facebook Application(s) or anything like that... ? ......

[x3xsolxdierx3x]

The reason I ask this is....because.....I created a Facebook group about a year ago......

200,000+ members later, and having been approached by a company (the CEO and marketing director) that just received over $4,000,000 in VC funding..............actually opened my eyes to the potential of monetizing this fine-tuned niche....

This Group isn't like groups called "Join this group for absolutely no reason" or something of that nature......

It consistently gains 500-1,000 members daily....as evidenced by the growth statistcs that Iv'e taken.....

Because of it's theme, it doesn't grow to a million members in a week, and then declines just as quickly......for over a year, it's had consistent growth.....

1,000 members at 22:57 (EST) 11/06/2007
10,000 members at 13:53 (EST) 11/12/2007
134,000 members at 21:00 (EST) 12/25/2007
185,170 members at 11:57 (EST) 08/01/2008
224,547 members at 9:30 (EST) 12/22/2008

How would YOU monetize it?

Does anyone here have experience in developing Facebook Applications? Have your apps been somewhat successful? (a high rate of installs/ active daily users?)

[Rebtl]

I haven't heard about anyone doing this but I might have some insight that can help you.

Just from personal knowledge as a fairly average facebook user (College Student, i.e. check it at least once a day) I can say that "Facebook Groups" are certainly not what they once were in the early days of facebook.

I am in more than 80 i think, and I haven't look at a single one of them in months or even years. It used to be all the rage to join different groups and do things with them, but its definitely died off.

The way I see it there is only one way to make some money from large Facebook groups and thats sending a message to everyone in the group, which only admins of the group can do.

People dont notice or care about things about groups that pop up in the news feed, but everyone notices when they have a new private message.

So find some old, well established groups with 100's of thousands of people in them, and private message the lot of them with a not so subtle advertisment.

It would take litterally seconds, and your turnaround could be amazing.

If you dont have any groups like that, maybe find some good looking ones and offer to pay the admins of the group to make an admin.

Just my thoughts. Good Luck

[x3xsolxdierx3x]

Believe it or not.......the Group has MANY return visitors.........

I know that Facebook Groups' platform is extremely limited in functionality.........so, Iv'e had to utilize extremely creative methods to encourage interaction.....

Wev'e had many drawings/contests for the group......Iv'e contacted companies, and, in return for advertisement, theyv'e donated products, to give away to members who 'checked-in' and invited their friends (honor system).....

It's become a science, and I KNOW it's possible to monetize this group.......

Even guaging sentiments about developing a Facebook application external to the group.....has encountered incredible interest.......by users who said they'd join it, and invite all their friends in a heartbeat.......

I just have no skill in developing applications.....

hence......one of the reasons I'm here

[x3xsolxdierx3x]

Does anyone here have any experience with developing Facebook applications?

Could I see any examples of your work?

[Sean A McAlister]

First....the main way to monetize the group is through a Direct Group Message that is mailed to their inbox as mentioned above.

The PROBLEM is that facebook has a cap of 5000 members that can be mailed. So you are severely crippled in broadcasting a message to hundreds of thousands of people in a clip.

So it is important to create a vehicle of some sort that keeps people coming back to the group page....which it sounds like you have.

One obvious way to monetize is to have your website listed.


Facebook does allow you to create Pages. Basically the same thing but set up a bit different. Instead of people becoming members of the group...they become Fans of the page.

With this setting you can Broadcast a message to the whole fan base.
Unless something has changed.

Not sure why....but it just is.


sean

[OmarNegron]

I am noticing more and more people using facebook nowadays. I still enjoy myspace but I am going to have to adapt to the changes to facebook.

[x3xsolxdierx3x]

Originally Posted by The IM Reporter

First....the main way to monetize the group is through a Direct Group Message that is mailed to their inbox as mentioned above.

The PROBLEM is that facebook has a cap of 5000 members that can be mailed. So you are severely crippled in broadcasting a message to hundreds of thousands of people in a clip.

So it is important to create a vehicle of some sort that keeps people coming back to the group page....which it sounds like you have.

One obvious way to monetize is to have your website listed.


Facebook does allow you to create Pages. Basically the same thing but set up a bit different. Instead of people becoming members of the group...they become Fans of the page.

With this setting you can Broadcast a message to the whole fan base.
Unless something has changed.

Not sure why....but it just is.


sean

Unfortunately, with the size of my group, it's impossible to mass email ALL it's members.......I kind-of wish I could, but, I understand why Facebook does this, on their end, as well.....

Iv'e ran threads/polls to guage alot of user sentiment because, it's true, the Facebook Groups' Platform is extremely limited in functioning....you can do very little with it......

So, my saving grace has been my ability to use the existing features, and develop very creative ways to encourage a sense of 'community'.......

Iv'e also guaged the group's acceptance to an application, made specifically for this group........and, I'm 100% positive that, if I could find someone to develop it, that THIS group could be an awesome springboard for this Facebook Application.....

Does anyone here develop Facebook Applications?

[x3xsolxdierx3x]

and..............HERE is my Facebook Group.......

(Iv'e been trying to POST the Group's URL, but I can't, at least until I have 15 posts)

It's not your typical "Let's get 1,000,000 users to JOIN this group for no reason" or "Let's build the largest Group on Facebook".....

It has a very honed theme....If I could get someone to develop an application, I'm POSITIVE that I could monetize it with promotion through this group.....

[James Schramko]

Have you added CPA offers to your widget?

[x3xsolxdierx3x]

widget?

.....Our Group doesn't have an Application developed yet.....CPA offers could eventually be integrated into the Application.....

[THudson]

I have done so with great success and recently help the members of my group do the same! I closed my group about a year ago to focus on aiding others with large groups not only monetizing their group but doing so in a way it will make a monthly risidual income of each member that chooses to opt in! The best part is it only cost 10 dollars and you make a dollar a month of each person that joins (no limit on how many you can sign up), and the same for members that sign up on a down line 5 levels deep. I can easily assist you in taking your facebook group and achieving around at least a 5% turn over. that means out of your 200,000 members 10,000 (approximately) that means off the commissions alone you would profit make 10,000 dollars a month, and it will keep on growing with the effort of others! It is very simple and very easy, no selling and no marketing, it is all done for you! I have worked with a couple groups that have had loyal members and they have turned over as much as 28%. Most members then go off and make their own groups doing the same that helps them achieve more as well as increase your commissions. If you are interested in more information please contact!

[TimAtkinson]

Hey everyone I feel that this thread is appropriate for me to comment since 50% of my business derives from FaceBook.

I have several groups all in the thousands in the MLM/IM niche. These groups are a lot harder to build than your "fun" type of groups.

Like Sean mentioned you can message only up to 5,000 members. But if you have that many eye balls on your group everyday you have to sprinkle (CPA)links throughout the description,wall,recent news and I would use low involvement offers but just split test your offers to see.

Once you can prove your group is steadily making you money only a daily basis/monthly then you can sell it..many people will buy groups that big with proven stats for thousands(flippa)

I would encourage you to create fans pages for every group you create. Now you can't broadcast the fan page like Sean mentioned but you can basically treat your fan page like a website.

Take a look at what mine looks like for example. This builds your list like crazy

Tim Atkinson Live | Facebook

You can also promote your groups and fan pages with ads which can be quite effective if your getting good CTR

Originally Posted by Sean A McAlister

First....the main way to monetize the group is through a Direct Group Message that is mailed to their inbox as mentioned above.

The PROBLEM is that facebook has a cap of 5000 members that can be mailed. So you are severely crippled in broadcasting a message to hundreds of thousands of people in a clip.

So it is important to create a vehicle of some sort that keeps people coming back to the group page....which it sounds like you have.

One obvious way to monetize is to have your website listed.


Facebook does allow you to create Pages. Basically the same thing but set up a bit different. Instead of people becoming members of the group...they become Fans of the page.

With this setting you can Broadcast a message to the whole fan base.
Unless something has changed.

Not sure why....but it just is.


sean

[scdayton]

That's a pretty cool looking Fan Page opt-in Tim, how did you create that if you don't mind my asking?

I'm a little surprised it gets a great return (even though it looks cool) as it does a good job of the call to action (click to become a Fan) but doesn't really spell out the benefits to joining as a Fan. Anyway if it works it works I guess.

Do you use a similar technique for your MLM Fan pages as well or do you use different strategies depending on the niche?

Are you using free or paid traffic or both?

Thanks,

Stephen

[scdayton]

Originally Posted by THudson

I have done so with great success and recently help the members of my group do the same! I closed my group about a year ago to focus on aiding others with large groups not only monetizing their group but doing so in a way it will make a monthly risidual income of each member that chooses to opt in! The best part is it only cost 10 dollars and you make a dollar a month of each person that joins (no limit on how many you can sign up), and the same for members that sign up on a down line 5 levels deep. I can easily assist you in taking your facebook group and achieving around at least a 5% turn over. that means out of your 200,000 members 10,000 (approximately) that means off the commissions alone you would profit make 10,000 dollars a month, and it will keep on growing with the effort of others! It is very simple and very easy, no selling and no marketing, it is all done for you! I have worked with a couple groups that have had loyal members and they have turned over as much as 28%. Most members then go off and make their own groups doing the same that helps them achieve more as well as increase your commissions. If you are interested in more information please contact!

You've piqued my curiosity there T, would you please PM me the details?

Thanks,

Stephen

[longmanai]

I run the facebook group You Stay Classy, Fredericksburg... (tinyurl.com/classyfburg) and have successfully marketed local business promotions through the group using messages, and hosting contests.

If you are looking for facebook app developers get in touch with me. I will soon be releasing a facebook app i designed for The Sports Network. I am currently looking for an iphone/android app developer to work on some high profile apps.