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Facebook 101Presented by: Heather Martin

Facebook 101- The Basics

What is Facebook? Why use Facebook? How to use Facebook effectively for our church

and its members!

What is Facebook?

Facebook is a very popular social media site. Facebook is a place to connect with friends or

businesses and share thoughts, links, photos, movies and schedule events.

Facebook is a place to do/conduct business.

That’s where the viewers are! An estimate of 400 million users worldwide and

growing every hour! 101 million U.S. users. Facebook targets user information such as age,

gender, location, interests.

Why use Facebook?

Some facts about Facebook…

Average user has 130 friends. Average time person is on Facebook: 55 minutes a

day. Average user becomes a fan of two businesses per

month. Facebook has a “multiplier” effect.

Social Media Myths

Facebook is for younger people. 18 million U.S. Facebook users are over the age of

45.

How to use Facebook to promote Broadus as a

business..

Create a personal profile!

…Promote as business- page 2

Create a fan page for Broadus (which you will see in demo, has already been done as an example)

See next slide…

Example of a Facebook “page” (AT&T)

Link the Facebook page with the Broadus website

Why? Both sites gain more traffic. More traffic piques interest. Monitor Facebook traffic.

Fan engagement on Facebook

Post interesting content Sermon recordings Prayer requests Weather update Photos Church newsletter, activities The list is endless!

Privacy Concerns

As shown in demo, Facebook has settings to monitor everything on our page.

Multiple administrators. Editing function. Profanity filter. Etc.

Concerns Number 1…

1.  Can we limit access to those who might solicit information from church members and use it in a wrongful manner?  This applies to pictures, too, and other private information…

Answer to Concern Number 1

Access can be monitored and/or limited. One person cannot view another person’s private information without that person’s conscious consent.

Just because two people are “following” the Broadus page does not mean that they are necessarily friends or can view their information.

If someone of ill manner is posted on the church’s page, it can be removed right away by an administrator who receives an email notification right away.

Concern Number 2

2.  Concern was expressed that there needs to be a policy to say what can go on the Facebook page representing the church, and what cannot.  Some folks present at Town Hall said they have been unhappy with information which has appeared on the church's website in the past.  How do we limit this, and make sure the page remains positive?

Concern Number Two Addressed

This would be wise. When the Facebook page was created initially, there was just information copied and pasted from the Broadus website, so it was no "new" information. There is a feature where I can create the page and not let it go public until approved by the appropriate people as well. There is a box on fan pages where you may place a disclaimer for what is appropriate and what is not.

We can approve what info goes onto the page and never change it unless approved.

Concern 3

3.  Some questioning whether or not we really need a Facebook page and how many churches in fact have them?

Answer to concern 3

We do not "need" a Facebook page, but it would be beneficial in numerous ways. Most of us realize that people rarely use their phonebooks, or watch TV to find churches or to learn more about them. They go to the internet. There are many churches that use Facebook as a wonderful marketing tool, to keep people/members in the loop on events that are happening, and some people even upload podcasts to the Facebook page so that people looking for a church may listen to past messages. Here is an example of churches in town that uses Facebook:

The Point Cville

http://www.facebook.com/thepointcville

This church was founded in fall of 2009. It is less than 1 1/2 year old. If you notice, this church just had to increase their auditorium (they use Monticello High School auditorium and have already run out of space)  because of the growth it has received. Their Facebook fan page has a total of 799 people, and could have more or less in 10 seconds. This church uploads podcasts of their morning worship service and uses the site to advertise what is going on in church. They have photo albums of different outreaches the church has participated in, they have photos of their first Christmas Eve service which was this past Christmas. One thing I especially enjoy about this page is they have albums of church picnics they have had. Anyone looking at this would feel welcome. People like to see photos and know what's going on in a church. It could take awhile, otherwise!

First Baptist

http://www.facebook.com/cvillefbc This is First Baptist's of Charlottesville. They have

240 fans and something neat they do is put their newsletter where people can view it. They have a photo album as well, along with podcasts.

University Baptist

http://www.facebook.com/pages/University-Baptist-Church-Charlottesville-Virginia/115648548480061

This is University Baptist's page and they have 230 fans at this time. They actually have a tab for "events" which is a nice feature! This could be beneficial for when our children's choir performs, or for Christmas services, etc..

Northside Baptist

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=56189080641

This is Northside Baptist's group. They have about 38 members. 

Belmont Baptist

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Belmont-Baptist-Church-Charlottesville/108039189250561?v=app_2373072738

Here is Belmont Baptist's page. 32 fans. The same features of the other pages as well.

Maple Grove Baptist

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maple-Grove-Christian-Church/131984594124

Maple Grove Christian's fan page. 250 fans. 

Pros of having a Facebook page for Broadus

No one has to be “Facebook savvy” to enjoy the page.

You don’t even have to join in order to follow the page!

The church gets greater exposure which leads to greater traffic online and in our church!

Relationships are strengthened.

References

http://seobyswaby.wordpress.com/2010/02/12/facebook-for-business-powerpoint-presentation/