Many people use Facebook to keep up with friends and view funny memes. But when you join a Facebook group based on a professional interest or affiliation, you connect to others who can provide you information, recommendations, and answers to your questions.

You may be able to find groups for designations and certifications you’ve earned, committees on which you have served, real estate franchises, in-person networking groups, real estate instructors who have taught classes you attended, and more. Ask your fellow agents and brokers about professional Facebook groups they find valuable. You can also type in keyword searches on Facebook to try to find groups that are a good fit for you.

Many professional Facebook groups are private, so you may have to submit information to a moderator to prove you meet the criteria. Before you start posting to a group you have joined, read the rules. You may find some groups that allow referral requests and marketing messages, while others do not.