There’s been a big hoopla about all the changes that Facebook has done in terms of design, functionality, and the resulting end-user experience. Facebook’s new “Pages” layout and feature set has definitely changed, and you can read about all the changes in depth here if you’d like.
What I’d like to cover is 5 ways to make sure you’re utilizing the new layout and look to your Ministry’s advantage:
1. Facebook = Twitter
Facebook has up’d the ante in terms of the frequency of status updating and essentially one needs to have a Twitter-like mindset when keeping the new page up to date. Bottom line? Frequently post updates on the new pages to keep the content and interest rolling.
2. Build it Out – Pics, Videos, “Boxes”
With the new look has come even more robust use of Media and “Boxes.” Make sure you capitalize on its use and build them out well. Adding additional features and apps via “Boxes” can really give it the special attention that your ministry deserves. While Twitter can’t use videos (yet) why not use your Facebook page as the “dumping ground,” especially since #1 applies now?
3. Increased Engagement and Virality
The Wall is king now, and will continue to have more updated content than ever before. Content posted here will show up on Fans’ Feeds and News section more than ever before. Again, posting updates continually will serve as the key to getting the word out.
In addition, because of the amount of content now flowing freely, the level of engagement with be up’d as well.
4. Landing Pages for Non-Fans
Although the Wall tab will be available and the first thing everyone sees, page admins can now choose which tab they’d like to use as the “landing page.” Essentially, you could focus or feature a particular ministry campaign, sermon series, or initiative instantly by focusing attention to the new page or app with custom content that you’d like to promote. Perhaps you’ll want to create a page for people who are “new” to your ministry?
5. Ministry Teams, Staff, Volunteers
Your ministry teams, staff, and volunteers will have much more of an important (and highly effective) roll in the new Facebook pages than ever before. Make sure they all become Fans and then start your WOM (Word of Mouth) marketing campaign with them.
If you’re a Conference or Org that does conferences, this could be an especially effective play.
Ancoti says
I love this stuff. These are the types of things we tech newbies in leadership need to be briefed on and brought up to speed on. Wait, I think I wrote about something like that once.
krissy knox says
John,
Facebook still confuses me! I can't follow it too well. I feel like my posts merely get lost — somewhere. I have spoken to others on FB, and they feel the same way. I know you have more than 140 characters, but what good is that, if you don't know where your characters went after you have written them? And others may not find them either? On twitter you know that your tweets are in the Twitter Stream, in the order you wrote them in. If you'd like to find them all, you merely check out your Twitter profile page. That is how I can check out others' tweets also, and know exactly what they said, not missing any of them. I know this is all linear, but at least I know where all my info is! I do know that my blog posts are going to FB, but I don't remember onto which page. I do know they don't go where I want them to if I remember correctly — they're not in the main stream of FB — wherever that is! I mean the blog post links aren't mentioned on my wall I don't believe. Are they on my profile page? Not sure. I don't believe so. Probably on some "box" page where nobody sees them. Sigh. And I don't know how to move them… FB is so much more confusing to me. And why are so many people sending me trolls, gnomes, blowfish, disco balls, plants, horses, laughing Jesus', and requests threatening that I must take an IQ test? I'll stick with Twitter — I just want to learn, exercise and strengthen my mind, and meet great new people. You can have FB. So why am I on FB as well as Twitter today? I don't know, LOL. I keep hoping to figure it out, to "get it."
krissy knox 🙂
follow me on twitter:
http://twitter.com/iamkrissy
human3rror says
Krissy, thanks for that! I don't think you're alone… So don't worry too much…!
—Sorry for the brevity and rampant spelling errors… This was obviously “Sent from my iPhone”.