Facebook is pretty big, if I do so say myself. A number of ministries and businesses have already jumped in and begun leveraging it for their organization.
One of the inevitable questions that arise is whether or not one should use a Facebook “Group” or a Facebook “Page” for their ministry, because they are certainly different!
Instead of re-inventing the wheel, here are some valuable links that can help you better understand the difference between a Facebook Group and a Facebook Page.
Use them wisely!
The Ultimate Resource List
- Mashable – Facebook Page vs Group
- PageOnePr – Facebook Pages vs Facebook Groups
- TheGogglesDoNothing – Groups vs Pages
- Crafted Web – What’s the Difference?
- Tim Davies – Pros and Cons
- Wild Apricot – Profiles, Groups, Pages…!
- Search Engine Journal – Which One is Better?
- Digital @ Leadnet – Facebook Group or Page for Your Ministry?
- AddicotWeb – Marketing on Facebook: Group or Page?
- MetaBlocks – And The Winner Is…
- CorporateDollar – Killer Tips
- WhyFacebook – Which One is the Best?
Knock yourself out. 
[Image from LaughingSquid]
Thanks. Great stuff in these links. Check that Mashable one though. Permalink to this entry is messing it up.
Thanks man! Fixed!
Great stuff. The Mashable link was really good.
yeah. mashable is hawt.
Speaking of Facebook Pages and Mashable. Here's a helpful post by Mashable: 8 Essential Apps for Your Brand’s Facebook Page: http://mashable.com/2009/05/13/facebook-brand-app…
One of the coolest things I've discovered about Facebook Pages is the Music Player. You don't have to use it for music. It will take any MP3 that under 15MB – it's perfect for sermon audio. I use it as a free podcast player integrated into our Facebook Page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hattiesburg-MS/Firs…
I've found FB groups to be almost completely worthless. Because there is no way for activity in a group to show up in a group member's news feed, people almost never come back to the group after joining. The only good use I've found for FB groups so far is as a subscriber list since you can send a message to everyone in the group.
On the other hand, if you update the status or post a link, not, pic, etc that will show up in the fans' news feed which will draw people back to the page.
If FB wanted to make groups useful they would add notification controls which members could opt to get updates in their news feed if someone posted something to the group – to the wall, discussion board, photos, etc.
That's my 2 cents.
thanks for that paul. i think a number of people would probably agree.
FB needs to to a better job of letting you do RSS to someone who signs up. Almost better off using a Ning network.
hmm. interesting.
John:
Here's an article we wrote about Long Hollow's experience with Facebook Pages; I touch on some of the improvements made in Pages over Groups and some of the new features that are awesome for ministries.
http://www.mediasalt.com/2009/03/25/news-flash-fa…
We've had huge success with our fan page; every church should do one even if only a fraction of their audience is hanging out on Facebook.
Eric,
Thanks for this! Great stuff!