by Caelyn Zupko | Realtor and Real Estate Online Business Manager

As entrepreneurs, we’ve all heard that “community is everything.” 

But let’s be real: sometimes it feels like building community online is shouting into the void. 

You post, you comment, you engage… and still wonder if it’s actually leading to clients.

Here’s the truth: when used intentionally, community platforms — even the ones you might be overlooking, like Facebook — can become one of the most powerful ways to attract aligned clients. Not by chasing vanity metrics or running ads, but by building authentic connections.

Today, I’m sharing exactly how I used a simple Facebook group to create a community that grew from 0 to 2,200 members in the last18 months, which in turn landed me real clients through Facebook every week. I also share why this strategy still works (even in 2025-2026) for female founders who want visibility, trust, and clients without burning out on every platform.

Why Community Matters Right Now

Social media isn’t just “fun” anymore. For female entrepreneurs and high-performers, it’s the engine of visibility and credibility and Facebook is one of the most powerful social media platforms for lead generation. Yet most women I meet think Facebook is “dead” or only useful for family updates.

But here’s what I’ve found:

• Groups still drive action. There are more than 1.8 billion people using Facebook groups every month — many of them in niche, high-engagement spaces.
  
• Trust is built in community. A personal referral from a group often carries more weight than a cold pitch.
  
• Consistency compounds. When you show up regularly, even in overlooked spaces, people notice.
  

So if you’re ignoring community platforms — especially ones where your audience already spends time — you might be leaving leads (and impact) on the table.

Tip #1: Don’t Discount Facebook as a Lead Source

Yes, Instagram and TikTok may feel shinier, but Facebook groups still hold immense value.

For me, it started by posting resources, answering questions, and being genuinely helpful in a few targeted groups. I wasn’t trying to pitch. I was trying to serve. Within weeks, I noticed that people began reaching out with messages like, “I saw your comment in XYZ group and wanted to learn more.”

Action Step: Identify 3–5 Facebook groups where your ideal clients are active. Start showing up consistently — comment on others’ posts, offer encouragement, and answer questions with value.

Tip #2: Consistency Matters

You can’t just show up once, drop a post, and expect clients to flood in. Community is built over time.

I committed to a rhythm: a few thoughtful comments per day, a weekly value-driven post, and consistent follow-up with anyone who engaged. Over time, my visibility snowballed — people began tagging me in threads where my expertise was needed.

Action Step: Create a micro-schedule for yourself (e.g., 10 minutes in the morning, 10 minutes in the afternoon). Even small, consistent effort compounds faster than random bursts of activity.

Tip #3: Follow-Up Is Key

Community visibility is only half the equation — the real conversions happen in follow-up.

After connecting with someone in a group, I would send a thoughtful DM: “I loved your question in XYZ group. I have a free resource that might help — want me to share it?” That gentle, authentic outreach built trust and led to genuine conversations that turned into clients.

Action Step: Don’t let connections fizzle. Follow up with one or two people per week with curiosity and generosity, not pressure.

Real Results

One of my clients joined my Facebook group simply to “lurk.” Within weeks, she saw my consistent posts and began engaging. That led to a private conversation where I shared resources. Soon after, she became a paying client — and later referred two more clients my way.

The result? My Facebook efforts became one of my most reliable client pipelines — without spending a dollar on ads.

Quick Start Guide

Want to try this yourself? Here’s how:

• Pick 3–5 groups where your audience hangs out.
  
• Spend 10–15 minutes daily engaging genuinely.
  
• Post something helpful weekly (not promotional).
  
• Follow up with 1–2 new connections each week.
  
• Commit for 30 days and watch what happens.
  

Community isn’t dead. It’s waiting for you to show up.

About Caelyn Zupko

Caelyn Zupko is a Realtor and Real Estate OBM who helps entrepreneurs and business owners leverage community connections to grow their visibility and land aligned clients. She combines her expertise in real estate with online business management to create opportunities through intentional relationships. Connect with her on Instagram @caelyn.jpeg