Oh, ugh. (Please tell me you don’t do this.)

So there you are, scrolling through your Facebook groups and you come across a post. 

It’s long. And it’s all about the things you’re doing wrong as you work to build your freelance business. With a picture of the original poster on a beach. And the poster has responded to every single comment with some version of, “Thanks, lady! I sent you a little something in your DMs. 💕”

You keep scrolling. 

There’s another post, with someone asking a question about how to set up her invoicing software, which is something you’ve been trying to do, so you dig into the comments. 

I’m a bookkeeper, and I can set this up for you. PM me for details. 

I’m a VA and I would love to serve you! Here’s my calendar link!

I help busy entrepreneurs gain back their time by taking tedious tasks off their hands! If you’d like to learn more about me, visit my website!

DM’d you!

Don’t these people see how these comments come across?

You keep scrolling — until a comment catches your eye. 

Here’s a video that will show you exactly how to set it up!

You click the video. It’s 2 minutes long, it shows you exactly how to set up the software, and ends with “Let me know if you have any questions!”

You heart the comment. You click the commenter’s name (Leslie) and check out her profile. It’s easy to find a link to her business page, so you head there. 

Whoa. There are a bunch of helpful videos. Leslie knows her stuff!

You like her business page. 

Over the next two months, you notice Leslie’s videos in your feed, and when you land your second retainer client, you reach out to schedule a call with Leslie. A few weeks later, you hire her.

What’s the difference?

“Adding value” in Facebook groups is NOT

• Telling other people what they should or shouldn’t be doing
• Hawking your services
• Dropping your links all over 
• DM-ing people without their permission

Instead, it’s…

• Listening
• Answering questions with helpful answers without pitching yourself
• Connecting people when an opportunity comes up
• Showing up and serving

Someone else’s Facebook group is NOT the place to point out the mistakes you see people making, or three tips for smart networking or any other “value” post, unless you have the explicit permission of the group owner. 

Because it’s clear to allllll of us reading your post that what you want is for people to say, “Oh, hey, can I hire you?”

That’s not adding value in Facebook groups. That’s being self-centered.

You’re better than that. 

Look for opportunities to serve. They’re all around you, and when you shift your focus, you’ll see them everywhere. 

P.S. Want more Facebook netiquette and networking tips? Check out this social media optimization training on FreeMamaTV!