WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. One of the key features of WhatsApp is the ability to create groups, allowing you to communicate and collaborate with multiple people at once. Starting a group discussion on WhatsApp is easy and can be a great way to brainstorm ideas, coordinate plans, or just keep in touch with friends and family. In this article, we’ll walk through the step-by-step process for creating a new group and initiating a productive group chat.
Step 1: Create a New Group
The first step is to open WhatsApp and tap on the “New Group” option. This can be found by tapping the three dots or lines icon in the top right corner, then choosing “New Group”.
You’ll then be prompted to select contacts to add to the group. Tap on the names of the people you want to include. You can search for specific contacts using the search bar at the top of the screen. Select at least two contacts to create a group.
Tips for selecting group members:
- Only add people who you think will actively participate and contribute to the discussion.
- Aim for 5-15 members. Groups with too many people can become chaotic and hard to manage.
- Consider creating smaller subgroups if you have a very large pool of people to include.
Once you’ve picked your contacts, tap the arrow icon to proceed.
Step 2: Name Your Group
You’ll now be prompted to name your group. Choose something descriptive but concise. For example, you could name it based on:
- The purpose of the group – “Brainstorming Session”
- A specific project or event – “Project XYZ Planning”
- The members – “The Smith Family”
The group name and photo will appear in each member’s chat list, so pick something that will be recognizable.
When you’ve entered a name, tap “Create” and your new WhatsApp group will be formed.
Step 3: Craft an Opening Message
Once your group is created, it’s time to kick off the conversation. Sending an opening message is key for providing context and setting the tone for productive discussions. Here are some tips for crafting effective opening messages:
- Introduce the purpose of the group – Provide background on why you created the group and what you hope to achieve through the discussions.
- Establish guidelines – Set ground rules like being respectful, sticking to the topic, and allowing equal participation.
- Pose initial questions – Get things started by asking 1-2 broad questions related to the theme of the group.
- Watch your tone – Keep the language conversational but professional.
For example:
Hi everyone, welcome to our new brainstorming group! I created this so we can collaborate on ideas for our upcoming product launch. To keep our discussions productive, please stay on topic and allow each person a chance to voice their thoughts. To kick things off:
What are some initial themes or angles you think we should focus on for the product marketing campaign? What makes you excited or curious about this product release?
An opening message like this gets members oriented to the purpose of the chat while prompting the initial round of responses.
Step 4: Keep the Conversations Flowing
Once your group is up and running, there are some additional tips for keeping the discussion productive and engaging:
- Regularly summarize key points and themes – This helps focus the chat and allows new members to catch up.
- Ask follow-up questions – Dig deeper into perspectives that seem intriguing or overlooked.
- Monitor responses – If engagement seems low, ask an open-ended question to reinvigorate things.
- Respect others’ time – Keep responses concise and don’t overwhelm the chat.
Here are some example follow-up questions and prompts to keep driving the conversation:
- “What do people think about [insert summary of key theme]?”
- “Does anyone have a different perspective on this?”
- “Are there any concerns or challenges we should consider?”
- “For the next topic, let’s discuss [insert new theme].”
Staying engaged as the moderator and regularly synthesizing points will lead to productive exchanges of ideas within your group chat.
Step 5: Wrap Up the Discussion
To bring your group conversation to an organized close, send a message recapping outcomes and next steps.
For example:
Thanks everyone for the great discussion today! To quickly recap:
– Key themes for the campaign include simplicity, customization, and humanizing our brand.
– We agreed to put together some mockup ads and branding samples focused on those themes for review next week.
I’ll go ahead and schedule a follow-up chat where we can present our ideas. Looking forward to seeing what we all come up with after today’s productive brainstorming session!
Providing this kind of closing summary gives your chat a sense of resolution. It reminds members of what was decided and keeps momentum going for achieving the goals set during the discussion.
Best Practices for Productive Group Discussions
Here are a few additional tips to help ensure your WhatsApp groups lead to great conversations:
- Set a purpose – Give the chat a specific focus to drive useful outcomes.
- Limit distractions – Discourage going off topic and sharing random links/media.
- Designate a moderator – Have someone guide the discussion and synthesize key points.
- Share documentation – Use files, images or voice messages to convey information.
- Provide options – Suggest specific dates/times for follow-ups and next steps.
Following best practices will maximize the value of your group and make coordination and collaboration seamless.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Despite your best efforts, sometimes group chats can become chaotic or fizzle out. Here are some common issues and how to address them:
Too many notifications
Constant pings from an active chat can be disruptive. Advise members to use the mute option appropriately so they don’t get overwhelmed. You can also limit notifications to certain hours.
Straying off topic
Politely guide the chat back on track if things go on a tangent. Or suggest creating a separate chat for other subjects.
Uneven participation
If some members are dominating the chat, actively draw out quieter people for their perspectives. Or speak to chronic under-participants separately to remove any barriers.
Scheduling difficulties
Find the optimal day/time for your group by using a Doodle poll or the When2Meet app to collect availability. Schedule chats at consistent intervals (e.g. weekly on Mondays at 9am).
Personality conflicts
Set clear ground rules about respectful communication. Avoid aggressive or accusatory language. Take disputes to private chat if needed. Remove toxic members as a last resort.
Conclusion
Starting a WhatsApp group chat takes just a few taps, but cultivating great discussions requires effort. Define the purpose up front, keep conversations focused, and actively engage members to unlock the collaboration potential of group messaging. With some thoughtful moderation and planning, your WhatsApp group can become a valuable resource for exchanging ideas, gathering input, and achieving shared goals.