If I could make a job out of socializing in my facebook groups, I would. How fun is it to hang out in there with friends/work-friends/industry-friends/friendors?!

But there is a dark side of facebook groups.

There is a lot of BAD ADVICE circulating facebook and other online communities.
{There, I said it. SORRY.}

I don’t want to be a party pooper. BUT – I’m worried for you and your business.

Who are you getting advice from?

This is the advice I’ve seen in the last 2 weeks:

  • how to classify a worker as a contractor (who should more likely be an employee according to the IRS)
  • charging up a TON of expenses at year to pay less taxes (when the business will just end up losing money in the end)
  • Freshbooks is awesome accounting software (it’s great invoicing software; but it’s actually not accounting software)
  • how to word a contract (something only a lawyer should advise on)
  • how to lose 10 lbs in 2 weeks. (Oh wait – you’re not in a weight loss group, like me? {sheepish face} )

There are also a number of smaller nuggets on which people build entire businesses around (pricing strategies, service strategies, marketing strategies, systems strategies). DANGER!

Advice is AWESOME. Get it – lots of IT.
However, KNOW the limitations of free advice.

Here’s the thing… you should DEFINITELY be asking for advice in these forums. There is so much value in community and collaboration.

We didn’t have facebook when I started my business, but I had my own local groups and we’d get together and do the very same thing. I would have been lost without my little tribes.

BUT – step back and think about some of the advice you receive.

Here are 3 good questions to ask yourself after getting online advice:

  1. Is this advice that I should be getting from a professional?
  2. Is this person qualified (skilled) to give me this advice? (What is their experience in this area?)
  3. Is this good knowledge for me to take and re-make my own? (This is in regard to the marketing related questions. How will you do things differently?)

LAST PIECE of advice from me: Watch out for the ‘expert movement’ that is prevalent these days. Not everyone is an expert. And, while everyone means well, the advice that is shared can do some real damage to your business.

What are your thoughts on this? Am I being a party pooper? Tell me if I am. 😉