017 Why I’m closing my FB group with over 6000 members

Beyond The Clinic

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Thank you for joining me today for this unscripted, behind-the-scenes episode of Beyond the Clinic. I'm your host, Sarah Almond Bushell, and today I want to share a significant decision I've made in my business. This episode is a bit off-the-cuff because I want to capture my thoughts while they're fresh. I'll be discussing why I've decided to close my Facebook group, which has over 6,000 members.

Episode Summary

In this episode, I delve into the journey of my Facebook group, "The Children's Nutritionist Community," which I started in 2019. Initially, the group grew rapidly and served as a supportive space for parents seeking nutrition advice for their children. However, in recent times, engagement has dwindled, and I've realised that maintaining the group is no longer aligned with my business goals or worth the effort. I discuss the reasons behind this decision, including changes in my business focus, the decline in group activity, and my desire to simplify and optimise my business operations.

Key Takeaways

1. Initial Success and Growth: The Facebook group started strong, quickly attracting thousands of members. It served as a great platform for connecting with my audience, building trust, and practising live video sessions.
2. Declining Engagement: Over the past year, engagement in the group has significantly decreased, with only a few posts per week from members. My own reduced activity, including fewer live sessions, contributed to this decline.
3. Shifting Business Focus: My business has evolved, and I now primarily help parents with their children's fussy eating, rather than the broader topics initially covered in the group. Many new members seek advice on topics outside my current focus, such as weaning and food allergies.
4. Simplifying Business Operations: Simplifying my business to focus on fewer, more impactful activities has become a priority. Maintaining the Facebook group no longer aligns with this goal, as it requires considerable effort without significant returns.
5. Mental Health Considerations: Social media, particularly Facebook, impacts my mental health negatively. By moving my communities to a platform like Kajabi, I can offer support without the stress associated with social media.
6. Testing Platforms: Running a test comparing engagement and sales between Facebook and Instagram revealed that Instagram is far more effective for my business. This confirmed my decision to close the Facebook group.
7. Advice for Others: For those managing multiple platforms, my advice is to focus on one and master it before expanding. Ensure that any community you build is niche and clearly defined to avoid diluting your efforts.

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Website: https://www.sarahalmondbushell.com/
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheClinicPodcast
The Master Plan - Discover the 22 steps you need to take (in the right order) to build a successful business so you can earn enough to live the freedom lifestyle you dream of. https://www.sarahalmondbushell.com/master-plan

Bölümler

1. Welcome and Introduction (00:00:00)

2. The Beginning of the Facebook Group (00:03:15)

3. Initial Growth and Success (00:04:53)

4. Decline in Engagement (00:06:38)

5. Realisation and Decision to Close (00:08:50)

6. Shifting Business Focus (00:11:23)

7. Mental Health and Social Media (00:13:58)

8. Testing Different Platforms (00:16:33)

9. Simplifying Business Operations (00:19:08)

10. Final Thoughts and Advice (00:21:48)