Episode 160: How To Use Facebook Groups In Your Pet Sitting Business

What would you say if I told you I had a way for you to get in front of a lot of local clients? And that you could have a way to position yourself as an expert in your community? Well today I'm really excited to talk to you all about Facebook Groups! We've talked about Facebook Groups two other times on Bella in Your Business. The first time was way back on Episode 42 with Maureen McCarthy and then again on Episode 110 with Erika Godwin, but today I'm actually going to take it to a higher level. Over the past year I have been flying around the country, and soon the UK, to speak on this very topic. I have been able to grace some pretty big stages and been called an expert on Facebook Groups so I thought that it was only fair to bring it to my audience. Biggest Takeaway You Don’t Want To Miss Your Facebook page is like your front yard, while your Facebook Group is your back yard. There's a gate to get into your back yard, so it's more private and it's where you host a party, entertain your guests, and invite them to mingle. You want your group to Be The Destination by becoming an expert in your local community and connecting with other businesses in your community. Show Highlights What has Facebook said about Facebook Groups? [2:30] What is the front yard and back yard analogy? [5:20] How can your group Be The Destination? [9:15] How do you create content for your Facebook Group? [13:05] What questions should you ask people joining your group? [15:00] Links Free Instagram Training: jumpconsulting.net/instagram/ Jump Consulting Mastermind: joinjumpconsulting.com/mastermind/ Better Marketing With Bella: joinjumpconsulting.com/marketing/ Share The Show Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Transcript: Welcome to Bella in Your Business. This is Bella Vasta, your host, and this is episode 160. Welcome to Bella in Your Business, where Bella discusses anything and everything about your pet sitting business to help you land on target. So get ready—Bella’s got your chute. Let’s jump! What would you say if I told you that I had a way that you could get in front of a lot of local clients and position yourself as an influencer, an expert, someone who becomes known in your community? What if I told you that you could actually become the person people think about when they think about pets in your local area—and even make tens of thousands of dollars doing it—with just a simple switch in your thinking? Well, today I’m really excited to talk to you about Facebook groups. We’ve talked about Facebook groups twice before on this podcast. One was back in episode 42 when I interviewed Maureen Dunn-McCarthy of Loving Kisses Pet Sitting in Indian Trail. We talked about how she built a group after one of our coaching sessions, and it has since exploded. If you want to hear a great case study from someone in your industry, pause this episode and go back to episode 42. The second was episode 110 with Erica Godwin, where we talked about how to grow and leverage your Facebook group, what research to do, and what to be aware of when running your group. Today, I want to take a higher-level, bird’s-eye view of the incredible importance groups can have on your business. Over the past year, I’ve been flying around the country—and soon to the UK—speaking on this very topic. I’ve been called an expert on Facebook groups, so I thought it was time to bring that expertise to my audience. Let’s go back to February 2019, to Facebook’s F8 conference—their version of a State of the Union. Facebook announced that “the future is private,” and that more activity would move into Messenger and Groups. At that time, there were 400 million meaningful relationships happening in Facebook Groups, and Facebook’s goal was to grow that to one billion. That’s incredible. As marketers, that should tell us exactly where Facebook is heading. Some people get frustrated—remember how page engagement dropped to around 3% years ago? But Facebook is a business. They make the rules, and we’re on rented land. The only constant in social media is change, so staying educated is key. If you keep listening to me here, on my Facebook page, or in my groups, you’ll always be ahead of the curve—knowing when and how to pivot to what’s working. For a long time, I’ve been talking about video because it’s powerful—it says things better and faster—but today we’re focusing on groups. They’re where real connection is happening. I like to explain it using my “front yard/backyard” analogy. Think of your Facebook page as your front yard. You’d never put an in-ground swimming pool or host a private barbecue there. Your front yard is for public appearances—Halloween decorations, a Christmas wreath, maybe a flag for the Fourth of July. It’s one-way communication: you to the world. That’s what your Facebook page is like. People drive by, maybe hit “like,” but they don’t stop to have deep conversations. Your Facebook group, on the other hand, is your backyard. It’s gated, more private, and themed—like a pool party, a cookout, or a luau. You invite people in, welcome them, show them around, and get them mingling. You don’t just invite people and disappear inside for a nap—you host! Groups are where people connect with each other, not just you. That’s where relationships—and business trust—are built. Another analogy I use all the time is “Be the destination.” Think about driving home and noticing a neighbor’s party—cars parked up and down the street, music playing, maybe a bouncy house. That house is the destination. You want your group to be that destination online—a place people intentionally go to, not just scroll past. When you think about where you go online, ask yourself: do you scroll aimlessly, or do you head to a specific destination? For example, I go to Jen Herman’s group for Instagram advice or Stephanie Liu’s group for general social media insights. They’re the experts in my orbit. If you’re thinking about starting your own local group, I suggest collaborating with other pet businesses—your local groomer, trainer, vet, pet photographer, pet store—anyone producing relevant content. Start with people already active on social media. Your group shouldn’t just be about pets; it should be about your community. For example, Maureen Dunn-McCarthy’s “What’s Up Indian Trail” group in North Carolina grew fast because it wasn’t limited to pets. It covered community happenings. So, instead of naming your group something like “Pets of Scottsdale,” try “What’s Up Scottsdale,” “Scottsdale Families,” or “Scottsdale Community.” Those attract more engagement because people care about what’s happening in their city—like a new business opening or a construction project—more than constant pet talk. If you don’t know what’s happening locally, connect with a real estate agent—they usually know what’s being built or developed. Partnering with them to create the group can be a smart move. Once you start your group, create content buckets—categories of topics you’ll post about regularly. Examples: community events, pet tips, business spotlights, seasonal topics, or sub-community updates. Planning ahead keeps things consistent. You can batch-schedule a month or two of posts in just a few hours. Engagement, however, can’t be automated. You’ll need to (or have someone on your team) reply, like, and comment to keep conversations alive. You don’t have to post every day—twice a week can be enough if you encourage others to participate. When people join your group, Facebook allows you to ask three entry questions—this is pure gold. The first should ask for their email address. That’s how you can connect outside of Facebook and “own your land.” Tools exist that can automatically collect those emails into a spreadsheet or even your email system to send a welcome message or video. Your other two questions can help you learn about your members—like, “Do you have pets?” “What’s your favorite part of living here?” or “Do you own a business?” Tailor the questions based on your group’s goals. Think of your group strategy like a mini business plan. You decide how much effort to put in. Maybe it’s a full-blown catered party with a DJ, or maybe it’s a simple potluck. The key is consistency and connection. At the end of the day, this isn’t advertising—it’s marketing. You’re not directly asking for sales; you’re building awareness and familiarity. When people in your community think “pet sitter” or “dog walker,” you want your business to come to mind automatically. Groups showcase your leadership, care for your community, and reliability. Other local business owners will notice and may want to collaborate with you. That opens endless opportunities. If this excites you, start brainstorming ideas. If you’re in my Mastermind, tag me and let’s strategize together. This approach works—but there are ways to do it wrong, too. For instance, don’t make your group entirely about pets, or it’ll turn into a lost-and-found and rescue forum. Keep it broad enough to attract your wider community. Facebook groups are incredibly powerful, and the platform is investing heavily in them. They can work hand in hand with your page, and if you’re part of Better Marketing with Bella, you can even repurpose the content I provide—graphics, videos, GIFs, stories, and more—for your group. The possibilities are endless. Thank you for joining me for another episode of Bella in Your Business. I always end by reminding you to always keep jumping—because momentum keeps you from getting stuck. We all have goals, and sometimes we just need someone to remind us we can do it. If you haven’t already,