Five steps to group success

1. Become a Prosper expert

2. Create your group's identity

1. Use pictures: Pictures help you tell the story of your group. The more you add, the better your story will be
   
   
2. Add links to related websites: Make these links specific to your group. For example, if you are on a softball team, put links to the pizza parlor where the team goes after the game
   
   
3. Use categories: Prosper lets you put your group in up to five categories so both lenders and future members can find you when they browse groups (add link to Groups tab)
   
   
4. Tell your group's story: Who are you and why are you starting this group? Both lenders and group members will want to know
   
   
5. Membership criteria: Create a clear list of criteria for group membership and post them on your page

3. Set your group's membership criteria

4. Connect with your group members

Communicate with your members regularly to ensure a strong bond and a good reputation.

5. Grow your group

Prosper provides resources to help your group grow:

• Invite new members by clicking the "Invite new members" link on your group management page. Go to "Your Account > Group > Invite new members". Just type in email addresses and hit "send".
  
  
• Download and customize your own Prosper business cards and flyers from the group resources page. Leave a stack of business cards at your dry cleaner, grocery store, gym, and everywhere you go.
  
  
• Put a link to your Prosper group in your email signature. To find a link to your Prosper group, open your group page and scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the "Promote this group" link.
  
  
• Visit Prosper's discussion forums to learn marketing tips from other group leaders.