Facebook groups (which are different from pages or profiles) are a great way to find like-minded folks in the messy maze of facebook. You can find a group that shares your profession, a group with a common interest, or connect with a group of potential clients.

To find facebook groups, put your search term in the general search box in the top of facebook, then click the “magnifying glass” icon next to the search term you typed in to get the full search interface. Next, click on “groups” in the left hand sidebar.

Once you find a group you’d like to join click the “Join Group” text link on the right side of the page. (Or, once you’ve clicked into the group look for the “Join” button at the top of the page.)

Your assignment is to join 3 groups. But you can’t just leave it at that! After you’ve joined the group you need to interact in some way by starting a new conversation in the discussion forum, posting on the wall, or adding your two cents to an existing discussion.

This contribution should not be an advertisement for your business, the goal here is to discover new contacts and build relationships. So while it’s fine to reference your business, a straight-up pitch or advertisement is generally not welcomed. Instead, ease in by making relationships and then letting everyone know about your business when a good match comes up. (For example, when someone asks a question that your business provides a solution to.)

Who knows who you’ll meet!