Originally posted on WinningMark.com.
Winning Mark consults with nonprofits and campaigns that want to use social media like Facebook to connect with supporters. Maintaining a Facebook page can be an easy and effective means of communication once you figure out what you’re doing.
If your organization hasn’t used Facebook before, there will be a bit of a learning curve. Here are the top five questions Winning Mark gets from clients as they get started with Facebook.
1. Should it be a page or a group?
A page. Facebook puts fewer restrictions on pages than groups. It is also easier for supporters to “like” a page – with just the click of a button – than join a group. For step-by-step instructions on how to set up a page, check out the slideshow below of Winning Mark’s Facebook guide.
2. How do I get fans?
Your organization can attract fans by regularly putting up interesting posts on your Facebook page. Share content like the latest post from your blog, an action you are working on or a topical news story.It’s critical to view Facebook as a place where you have a conversation, not just broadcast information. Try ending posts with a question and then when people respond, comment back. Try to answer their questions or refer them to further resources. And always thank them for commenting.
3. I have 100 fans – what now?
After your page has 100 fans, you’ll be able to set up a custom URL for your page. Choose something friendly, easy to recognize and easy to remember. The name of your organization is a great choice. Go to www.facebook.com/username to see if the name you want is available.
4. How do I grow?
Talk to your fans when they’re around. Pay attention to who you’re talking to and schedule your Facebook updates accordingly. If you’re talking to the mom crowd, avoid posting when babies (and many mamas) are napping. If many of your fans are professionals, a great time to post is at 9 a.m. If you are targeting the college crowd, post at 2 a.m. If you’re not sure when your fans are most active on Facebook, try posting at different times and track when you get the most comments. And know that as your fan base grows and diversifies, your time windows may change.
5. What’s the biggest mistake I can make?
The biggest mistake in social media is being afraid to make mistakes. Part of adopting social media is learning – learning how to use it and how to best communicate with it. There’s no right or wrong way to use Facebook. Don’t get paralyzed if fans don’t respond to a few posts. Try different things and expand on what works.