Group chats are fast becoming an indispensable tool for content creators. But you don’t just want your group chat to be good. You want it to be THE group chat. You’re trying to create a community so exciting, so inviting, that people from all over the platform want to join.
In this article, we’re sharing how you can build THE group chat. From the basics you should do before you open it, to things you can keep up with as you go.
Why Is a Group Chat Important? 🤔
Group chats are a relatively new tool for content creators. You probably have tons of personal group chats for your friends and family, but you might not have thought of creating one for your social media.
And you should! Group chats let you talk directly with your followers and community whenever you want. This creates a personal connection, so your followers will feel closer to you and more invested in your content. You can also pick their brain, run ideas by them to see what might perform better, or share exclusive content with them.
Plus, a group chat lets you connect with your community without turning on a camera or a mic. You can engage with your audience and have fun in a more relaxed way.
Have A Theme 🎃
Anyone in marketing knows if you try to appeal to everyone, you don’t appeal to anyone. The same applies to your group chat; you want to pick a niche or topic. It can still be one that everyone would find interesting, but zero in on something. Thrifting? Cooking tips? New music releases?
Why? This gives your community something to discuss and engage with from the beginning. It’s a natural conversation starter and makes connecting with each other much less intimidating.
Pin A Message 📌
Craft an introduction message and pin it to the top of your group. Tell creators what your group is for, any events or special things they can look forward to, and even ask an introductory question. If you’ve got group chat rules (more on those later) be sure to have those in there, too.
Why? Joining a new group chat can be disorienting. Your welcome message will serve as a roadmap. They have the rules, the vibes, and any other necessary information right up front. Plus, it helps creators introduce themselves. They have something to respond to and build off of, so chimming in for the first time feels much less intimidating.
Speaking of…
Introductions Are A Must 🤝
Don’t just let creators run around willy-nilly! When they join, have creators introduce themselves. This is something we do naturally IRL, but it feels harder virtually. And in a group chat, it can feel like you’re screaming into a void of strangers. A new member will appreciate having the opportunity to say who they are, and long-time members will have an easier time welcoming them.
Pro Tip! Give members a prompt to respond to. Think of a question that relates to your group and would be an easy introduction for a new member. For a chat about music, that could be: “Share your current favorite artist and what you think is their best song.” It’s a natural conversation starter that ties into the chat’s theme!
Here’s what your intro message and prompt could look like!
Welcome to Maria’s Music Maniacs Chat! Here we talk about new releases, concerts, and our own music-making process. Please be respectful of everyone’s opinions.
Introduce yourself! Drop your name and your favorite album (right now) in the chat. Can’t wait to see what you listen to!
Group Chat Rules 🗨️
You’ve heard the saying, “Every rule and regulation has been written with blood.” And while you (probably, hopefully) won’t have to worry about blood in your group, the meaning is the same! Rules are usually made after something goes wrong. So we recommend getting out ahead of this. What do you want members to not do in your chat?
Here are some basic rules for your group:
- Respect everyone’s opinion.
- No bullying or harassment.
- No spamming.
- Only share videos related to the topic.
- Introduce yourself when you join.
- Maintain a positive vibe.
You can add any rules you need or want to as your group grows!
Check Ins 👋
Set time each day to check in with your group chat and connect with its members. Scroll through the recent messages (or all the ones you’ve missed) to see how the conversation’s flowing. Respond to any questions or conversations you find interesting. If it seems a little dry, drop a conversation starter in there!
Why? Just like your content strategy, you need to track how your group chat is performing. When is it busy? What topics do they like? To make your group chat perform better, you’ll need to understand how it’s performing.
Be Active 📱
The fun part of a group chat is when the owner drives the engagement. The members will enjoy connecting with each other, but they’re there for you! So, either during your check-ins or when you have time, get involved. Share videos or content you came across that you think the group will enjoy. Respond to other members and actually engage. Have fun!
Why? It’s simple: it’s your group chat! How can you expect the members to be involved if you aren’t? Besides, group chats are supposed to be fun. This is a place where you can relax and do what you want.
Exclusive Events 🎟️
Keep your group chat exciting by planning exclusive events for your group members! These could be AMAs, where you answer any questions from your audience. Host special Livestreams just for group chat members. Find a way to host game nights for your audience so everyone can interact.
Why? It makes your group chat feel more real and gives your community a way to connect with each other. It strengthens the bond between you and your group chat members
Assign Moderators 👑
Have a trusted person (or two!) (or three!) moderate your group chat. If you don’t know, a moderator is someone who monitors your group chat. They ensure all the rules are being followed and can help you boost engagement.
Why? Moderators can ensure your group is active even when you’re not. They act as an extra set of eyes to make sure everyone is following the rules. On a more fun note, if you have a huge group chat, moderators in different time zones can keep your group members engaged.
Where Can I Start a Group Chat? 🧠
If you look at a lot of social platforms, you’ll see that they don’t have a group chat feature. At most, they have a one-sided chat where you can drop updates or videos. But there’s no way for your followers to respond or engage. A lot of creators use third-party apps like Slack, Discord, and WhatsApp, which present other problems. It can be hard to convert followers from one app to another just for a group chat.
That’s where Clapper comes in! We were one of the first platforms to have a group chat option (called Groups) built in. You can start a Group chat on your first day. The best part? It lives on your profile, making it super easy for people to find.
The second best part? You have complete control over your Group. You can create up to ten Group chats and even set an entry fee. Whether you want to use your Group chat as a community touch point, an update channel, or a subscriber-exclusive perk, Clapper can make it happen.
Ready to create THE Group chat on Clapper? Check out this article for a step-by-step guide to setting one up. Then read this article for more ways to make a Group chat people can’t stay out of! Find Group chats to join (or highlight your favorites) with our #NuestrosGrupos challenge.
The Clapper app is a short-form video and Livestream app for creators 17+. Our goal is to give creators a platform to build communities and express themselves freely without judgment and censorship. To learn more, download the app or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.