Facebook Pages 101

Optimizing Your Use of Free Features

With so many social media platforms available, it can be difficult for many organizations to figure out which ones to use. Facebook is arguably one of the most essential communication tools an organization can use to engage audiences on. It is one of the most popular and widely used social media platforms with over 2.7 billion monthly users according to statistics published by software company, Khoros. Facebook allows businesses and organizations to have free public “pages” on their site to share basic information, post regular photos and updates, create events, stream live video, and fundraise. All of these features allow organizations and businesses to interact with their audiences for free. In this blog, we intend to explain how to maximize your use of the free features of using facebook pages. In our next blog, we intend to share more information on how to use the paid features of Facebook Ads. If you want more information on how to set up a facebook page, we are happy to meet with you one-on-one to discuss and help as needed. Facebook also has a quick step-by-step guide on how to create a page, which can be found here.

How to communicate with your audience

Using the free features of Facebook Pages will share content to the personal news feeds of the audience members of your organization who have already “liked” or “followed” your page. Anyone, regardless of “liked status” will still be able to access the posts on the feed of your public page. You can obtain followers and likes by sharing a link to your facebook page in emails, newsletters, or on your website. You can also upload your contacts to Facebook and invite them to like your page.

Sharing Posts

One way you can communicate with your audience is by sharing posts. Posts can include links to other sites (like news articles, youtube videos, etc.), photos, videos, polls, and many other features. As a general rule, posts with photos, links or videos are more likely to get noticed in a newsfeed than posts with just plain text.

Accepting Donations

Facebook has several additional features for nonprofit organizations to use on their facebook pages. By verifying your nonprofit status with Facebook, you can add a donate button in the header of your public page. This allows your audience or page visitors to donate directly to your organization from Facebook. It also allows people to raise money on behalf of your organization, and for your Facebook page to host fundraising campaigns. This allows your organization to potentially fundraise from supporters who may not be on your mailing lists or haven’t yet visited your organization in-person. For more information on how to register your page as a nonprofit, please visit their help page for nonprofits which can be found here.

Creating Events

One of the best features of Facebook is the ability to create and share events. The platform allows pages to create events with all of the relevant details like time, location, and any other information that you may need audiences to know. The events can then be shared by your page as a post to those who have “liked” your pages. Events can also be shared among your followers, and they can invite their facebook friends to attend with them. Your page can also post frequent updates and reminders in the event leading up to the date. You can even add links to any registration pages or ticket purchasing pages you may have. Facebook events are an effective and easy way to get the word out about your organization’s programs, classes, exhibits or performances.

Streaming

A newer feature of Facebook is their live streaming capabilities. Facebook Live allows individuals and pages to stream video content publicly to their followers or friends. It also allows the viewers to interact with each other in the live comments section. Once the stream is completed, you can choose to either archive the footage publicly, or pull it down. This is a free alternative to using other more costly streaming programs, and will notify your audiences when you are going live. There are also additional compatible softwares for using Facebook Live for more complex or large events, and you can even use a live producer for streaming. If you want to learn more about more advanced features of using Facebook Live, please visit their help page here.