4 points to consider before you join that Facebook group

Since Facebook became a paying concern, author Facebook pages have become (in my opinion) pretty much a waste of time. Here’s my take on that issue. However, that doesn’t mean Facebook is a waste of time. Increasingly, as Facebook’s ever-changing algorithms weed out posts from our friends and replace them with sponsored ads, people are turning to Facebook groups. And they are a great idea, collections of people with some sort of common interest, such as a writer’s group based on genre, or a bunch of fellow indie authors, or cover designers, or people with a penchant for wildlife, or raunchy men. It takes all sorts.

Such groups can be a valuable source of new friends, colleagues, ideas, and opportunities. I belong to the Science Fiction Romance Brigade (SFRB), a bunch of people who write (wait for it) Science Fiction Romance. They’re a great group of women and men who realise that we’ll make much more of a splash together, than individually.

I’m sure there’s a group out there like that for all my author friends. Join up and feel the love. But bear these points in mind before you do.

Is this the right group for you?

Read the group description and look at the banner. There’s no point in joining every group around because you can. As an example, SFRB focusses on science fiction romance (SFR). That is, a story in a science fiction setting which has a strong romance arc.

• If you write SF without any romance, this is not the group you’re looking for.
• If you write paranormal romance, this is not the group you’re looking for.
• If you write fantasy, with or without romance, this is not the group you’re looking for.
• If you write historical romance (without a time lord, or something) this is… get the idea? SCIENCE + ROMANCE

This is not to say that everyone in the group writes only SFR – I’ve written paranormal romance and historical fiction. But even my two novellas (Supertech and Ink) which are spin-offs from my SFR Morgan’s Choice, are never mentioned in the group’s discussion, or on its website, because they are not romance.

Abide by the rules

If the rules – and/or the banner – say ‘no promo’ then please understand that means you. If you do go ahead and post your promotional material spruiking buy me, vote for me, pick me, read me… if you’re lucky the admins will delete your post and send you a polite message pointing out your violation of the rules. Increasingly, patience has worn thin and not only will your post be deleted, you’ll be kicked out of the group. Without notice.

That rule is there because most of us are sick of endless promotion. Besides, what’s the point of promoting to other writers? What you want is readers. There are a besquillion of FB groups which allow, indeed encourage, self-promotion. Here’s a few I belong to.

• https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebookaholics.in
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/online.book.publicity
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/bookjunkiepromotions
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/passionforbooks/
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/320356974732142/ (Books, books and more books)

There are plenty of others.

It’s not about you

Okay, you fit the profile, you join the group. Treat it as you would going to a conference. Let’s say an agent is there, somebody you’ve never met but does have a stable of authors writing your genre. You charge up, pushing past everyone else, your MS thrust out like a sword, and insist she takes your wonderful book. Right now. You’ll wait while she reads it. (smile)

Do you think that’ll work? She’ll remember your name all right. She’ll probably delete anything you send her, ever again. That’s how it works in online groups, too. Abusing the admins isn’t a good idea – not if you want to stay. Take some time to learn the group dynamics, ask questions, introduce yourself. Get to know some of the other members, visit blogs, read the shared posts. If you become a part of the group, you’re sure to benefit.

Get involved

Groups work best where people are committed. The SFRB has a lot of great activity to support its members.

• We have an annual mid-summer (northern) blog hop with great prizes.
• We have our own fan page on Facebook, where authors advertise their free offerings, new releases and the like.
• We have blogging opportunities on our website.
• Apart from that it’s a great place for ideas, asking for beta readers or critique partners, or hosts for blog hops.

But it all depends on members taking part.

Remember the old saying, ‘together we stand, divided we fall’. If you’re a participating member of a good group, you have a much better chance of getting ahead. Just make sure you know what you’re getting into, and become a part of the team.