Join Groups and Communities
Eighteen easy tips to join groups and communities, so you meet people who share your interests online.
Find your people. Be a kind member.
27 tips that really help
These ideas come from Show Your Work! (Austin Kleon), Never Eat Alone (Keith Ferrazzi), So Good They Can’t Ignore You (Cal Newport), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.
Why groups help
Groups bring together people with the same goals. They are friendly places to learn, ask and be seen.
Join one.
Search for groups by interest
Look up your field, hobby or city. Smaller niche groups are often friendlier.
Search three.
Read the rules first
Rules show what is allowed. Following them shows respect and keeps you safe.
Read them.
Read for a few days before posting
Notice the tone and what people share. Reading first helps you fit in.
Observe first.
Introduce yourself kindly
Write a short hello and share why you joined. A warm hello gets friendly replies.
Say hello.
Comment before you post
Helpful comments get you noticed. Add value or ask a polite question.
Comment first.
Help others with tips
Share a link or a short tip. Giving is the fastest way to be remembered.
Help one person.
Show up weekly
Choose a regular time to read and respond. A little often beats a big burst.
Set a time.
Script: introduction
Hello everyone, I am Sam. I am new to this group and happy to learn. Say it warmly.
Use it.
Script: question
Could anyone suggest a simple tool for this? Say it politely.
Use it.
Script: thanking
Thank you all for the helpful tips, they were just what I needed. Say it sincerely.
Use it.
Mistake: promoting yourself right away
Self-promotion pushes people away, so help first.
Give first.
Mistake: joining too many groups
You cannot keep up, so choose two or three.
Pick few.
Mistake: arguing in comments
Arguments hurt your name, so stay calm and kind.
Stay calm.
Troubleshoot: when the group is quiet
Start a friendly question or share a small tip. Someone has to begin.
Start one.
Troubleshoot: when the group feels unfriendly
Leave kindly and find another. Not every group is a fit.
Move on.
Drill: join two groups
Join two groups this week and read one conversation in each.
Join two.
Drill: leave one helpful comment
Leave one useful comment in a group today.
Comment once.
Search by topic and city
Local groups on your topic are friendlier. Try both.
Search locally.
Check group activity
Look at the last post date and comments. Active groups have people who answer.
Check activity.
Introduce yourself in the weekly thread
Many groups have a welcome post. Use it.
Find the thread.
Offer one tip each week
A small tip builds your name quietly.
Share a tip.
Example: the freelancers group
Lia shared a free template and received thanks and new contacts.
Share something free.
Example: the local meetup group
Ben joined an online group, then went to its coffee meetup. Online led to real friends.
Find a meetup.
Mistake: sending private messages to all members
Mass messages annoy people. Engage in public first.
Engage openly.
Troubleshoot: when you feel unseen
Comment on three posts a week and be patient. Familiarity grows.
Comment more.
Drill: find five groups and join two
Write five groups, score them and join two.
Join two.
Easy things to say
When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many networking and career moments.
“Hello everyone, I am Sam.”
“Here is what I learned.”
“Could anyone suggest a tool?”
“Thank you for the help.”
“I can help with that.”
“Glad to be here.”
Your first week
One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.
Search groups
Read the rules
Introduce yourself
Read first
Comment kindly
Help someone
Return weekly
Further reading
- Show Your Work! (Austin Kleon)
- Never Eat Alone (Keith Ferrazzi)
- So Good They Can’t Ignore You (Cal Newport)
The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.
