The Ultimate Rules for a WhatsApp Group
The Ultimate Rules for a WhatsApp Group
If you’re not in a WhatsApp group, you’re living in a cave. If you’ve only
ever been in one then you need to get out more. Whatsapp groups are being used
to create ways to communicate a message amongst a select group of people. This
may be for the following:
- Birthdays
- Business Groups
- Close Friends
- Family Groups
- Mastermind Groups
- Marketing Groups
- Topical Groups
There is usually an admin or admins that have the right to add and remove
people from the groups. In this post, I will attempt you give you some guiding
tips to manage and participate in a WhatsApp group effectively.
1. Tell people you will add them to a group
Once you have created a group and you are the admin, it is important to let
each individual person know that you are going to add them. This will ease up
any tensions because people want to be warned even if you think and know in the
long-term they will be ok with it. Don’t assume they will! To be honest with you
a lot of people moan and groan when they are in a new WhatsApp group.
2. Express the Aims and Terms of Reference (ToR)
When you add some to the WhatsApp group, make sure that each person sees what
the aims, objectives and ToR are for the group. The ToR is setting the
standards, and expectations for the group from the beginning, so nothing can be
overlooked. I would suggest you write this on your phone’s notepad and get a
friend or “to-be” WhatsApp group member to check it before it is sent to
WhatsApp group. At times, members may be added late so it is important to share
this information with them so they can see it. Now you don’t need to go all in
for this, but it does depend on the nature, purpose and type of people in the
group. However, it is good practice! Let people know the expiration date of the
group.
3. Respond if you have opened the message
Most people know that as soon as the purpose of the group has expired, they
are leaving it straight away. Some people feel awkward doing this or may even
drag it out to wait to see when people will leave. My suggestion for admins is
to make it clear that members can leave once the purpose has been fulfilled for
the group. For members, if this has not been made clear, do not hesitate to
leave, it’s your life and it isn’t rude. Simply say: “Guys I am leaving the
group now if you need me contact me personally.”
– Michael left the Group
Some people may feel that they would want to wait for a response from someone
in the group, but again it is for you to decide. Just remember you can leave if
you want to, just be courteous and let people know that you are doing it. Note!
There are some groups that do not need this as the people within the group are
foreign to each other, or there has been some sort of tension/animosity… Then
you could argue it is more appropriate to leave without response.
4. We know when you are online
If you’re in WhatsApp, yet haven’t opened a conversation, people are aware
that you are “about.” In other words, a time-stamp is associated with your
“hanging around” activity. Again a double ticked greyed out highlights that you
will have some level of awareness now or in the near future that you have
acknowledged a notification. The exception to this rule is if you have
notifications turned off. Notice how that becomes the excuse when people are
caught out but do not want to reply to a message! For some reason we can’t be
bothered to respond to people there and then; we want to give the impression
that we are:
- Busy
- Not a beg friend
In some circumstances, we don’t want to reply yet because we are scared to
face up to a direct comment, or you do not want to give a particular answer to
someone. Face-to-face you don’t have this problem, it’s just instant messaging…
My advice, reply within a good time and if you can’t be bothered to respond to
someone, sometimes nipping it in the bud is the best thing to do.
5. Have integrity in the WhatsApp group
This relates to the last point but is more about how you conduct yourself in
the group. When participating in group activities just think how you would feel
if someone deliberately was ignoring you, or giving you short answers etc. You
may have an opinion of that person but doesn’t mean you should reflect it in a
cold way in the group. Just air your views to another member who shares the same
views, or more strategically to someone who is not part of the group at all and
has no idea who that person is. Everyone is
human, and sometimes WhatsApp is not the best way to express that humanness.
6. Respond to everyone’s message when appropriate
This is a very basic rule. Respond to everyone’s message if it requires your
response or a collective one. Who are you not too? You’re part of the group so
participate. If you don’t want to, just leave it. Simple. Yes leaving and not
responding to messages will incur some social expenses, however, your attitude
online and offline says a lot about how you think as a person. Some people will
say it’s not deliberate, but integrity and due diligence is a basic standard for
anything life. No one like’s to be ignored so respond appropriately to the right
messages. I’d also add that address any profanities or rudeness when requires.
In addition, if someone has written something in the group, DO NOT CHANGE THE
SUBJECT – RESPOND TO IT FIRST and then seamlessly change the subject. Patience
is key in life because if you don’t exercise it, again you are seen as rude.
7. Say something, share something
I’m sure you’re not in a group to make up numbers. If you are that is pretty
pathetic. Don’t just watch activity, take part. If you are naturally a WhatsApp
introvert, then I understand, small contributions here and there are needed. If
a collective response is required and you don’t respond, and the person checks
that you have read the message, and multiple ones there on after, you look rude.
It reads You are choosing not to respond. Again, who are you
not too? This is basic communication. I have been in groups where people have
gone overboard and screenshots who has read what, when it is clearly evident
participants haven’t responded. It can get frustrating for admin, especially if
the purpose of the group has very good intentions. Respond when required and
keep it simple.
8. Basic etiquette is required, it’s not everyday message the group
This one is simple. Treat people with respect. Sometimes, bullying someone is also allowable. Sometimes, Do be rude because WhatsApp Groups(of friends) are for fun. Be part of the
community
9. Remove people not engaging
If anyone has not spoken in the group for a long time, 30 days and over,
remove them. If they have given you a reason beforehand that’s fine, but you
still may want to remove them. Again, this is dependant upon the nature of the
group. One chance is all people need.
If it persists, remove them.
10. Check if you are unsure
If you want to put something in the group, but not sure that it is
appropriate, verify the material with a WhatsApp group admin, or someone who is
mature and wise enough to help you decide. Don’t assume, because not everyone is
on your same wavelength. Over time you should get a feel for the culture of a
group, however, you can never be too sure. Instant messaging and social media
makes it so easy to ruin the reputation and exacerbate how we do things.
11. Mute the group but periodically check it
And finally, mute your groups if you have to. Do I really need to explain
this one? Most of you do it anyways it’s a given. Some of you mute groups and
turned off notifications completely. Just be sure to check the group
periodically, rather than not responding to it at all.
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