facebook pages vs. facebook groups
TRANSCRIPT
What is a Group? Groups are a bit different than Pages. Facebook's groups are like
clubs in the offline world. Administrators can invite members to join
via Facebook mail and email, and public groups can be found via
Facebook search.
You can set join permissions on groups so that they are either
open to anyone, closed (where users must get administrator
approval to join) or secret (invite only).
Groups have administrators that manage the group,
approve applicants or invite others to join. Administrators
can also appoint “officers” who are nominally in charge –
however, being an officer doesn’t mean the person has the
ability to administer the group.
Which is best for businesses and brands?
Groups are great for organizing on a personal level and for
smaller scale interaction around a cause or activity. Pages are
better for brands, businesses, bands, movies or celebrities who
want to interact with their fans or customers without having
them connected to a personal account, and have a need to exceed
Facebook's 5,000 friend cap.
What is a Page? According to Facebook, Pages were created when they noticed that people were trying to connect with brands and famous artists in ways that didn't quite work with personal Facebook profiles.
Personal Profiles - This is a user's personal page, listing their friends, interests, group memberships and recent activity on the site. Users can control which parts of their profile are visible to others.
Pages - Facebook users can create Pages allowing fans of an individual, organization, product, service or concept to like or subscribe to the page posts and updates. Pages look and behave much like a user's personal private profile, but they are also integrated with Facebook's advertising system, allowing owners to easily advertise to Facebook's users.
• When someone becomes a fan of your Page, your information cycles through their News Feed. Personal users can also see which Pages their friends are fans of on their Timeline.
• Pages sort of have two walls Timelines, one that displays the Page’s status updates, and one just for fans to write their own messages.
• You must have a personal profile to be a Page Administrator.
Awesome Page Examples
Advice for setting up a Page:
Choose a great username.
Give the key details in the About section.
Capture attention with a fantastic cover photo visual.
Choose an appropriate profile photo.
Ask your Facebook friends to like your Facebook Page.
Let’s look at some examples of effective Facebook Pages.
L.L. Bean
Why It's Awesome:
• Focuses on the customer
• Posts updates with cool photos, videos
and tips for outdoor adventurers
• Includes tabs dedicated to their free
shipping policy
• Includes “Base Camp” where customers
can post photos using specific hashtags
• Includes “Join the Conversation” tab
where you can get on their mailing list or
follow their other social media accounts
Intrepid Travel
Why It's Awesome:
• Provides a great user experience
• Includes special tab to meet and connect
with other travelers
• Includes tab that shows trip and tour
reviews
• Includes tab that lets users search and
book trips without having to leave their
Facebook Page
Threadless
Why It's Awesome:
• Creates a fantastic user experience that
doesn't require the user to leave Facebook
• Tons of great images posted on their Page
• Cover photo features different t-shirt
designs
• Instagram app prominently placed at the
top of the Page
• Carries over important functionality from
their website
• Allows users to vote for t-shirt designs and
enter design contests
Nutella
Why It's Awesome:
• Sets expectations for fans and meets them
• Includes special tab, whimsically titled
“Nutiquette,” which outlines the rules of
the Facebook Page
• Shares a ton of great images
• Generates a huge amount of engagement
Zappos
Why It's Awesome:
• Maintains reputation of great customer
service on the Page
• Fully takes advantage of Facebook's new
call-to-action button feature with “Shop
Now” button at the top of Page
• Includes a L.E.A.F. app on their Page,
where users can also learn about their
“green team”
National Hockey League
Why It's Awesome:
• Prioritizes the things users care about
most when visiting their Facebook Page:
photos and videos
• Includes live streams and contests to win
tickets
• Constantly putting out relevant news
stories
• Creating compelling visual content that get
high levels of engagement from their fans
Tough Mudder
Why It's Awesome:
• Creates content to help recruit and pump
up participants
• Keeps content fresh and up-to-date
• Creates a Facebook Event for every event
• Posts crazy pictures and videos to their
Page to keep people hyped up
St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital
Why It's Awesome:
• Creates volunteer- and donation-driven
content
• Posts highly engaging photos and status
updates
• Posts feature personal stories of patients
who benefitted from the generosity of
Facebook fans
• Offers apps that allow you to donate,
browse careers, make holiday gifts and
more
Burt's Bees
Why It's Awesome:
• Uses Page as a source for market research
by polling fans with questions about flavor
preferences, product names, etc.
• Gives customers the option to vote, see
results, and/or share their opinion on their
own Facebook profiles
• Includes coupon tab that gives customers
opportunities to save money
Easy Lunch Boxes
Why It's Awesome:
• Post fun photos, videos and tips like
“lunch box hacks”
• Includes apps that let users ask questions,
sign up for their newsletter, follow their
blog and search for recipe ideas
• Contains clear branding
• Effectively displays the utility of the
product
Gold's Gym
Why It's Awesome:
• Features #LegacyInTheMaking link front-
and-center, which allows fans to join the
Legacy of Strength group
• Includes handy gym locator app
• Keeps engagement high by posting lots of
content, which features members’
inspirational fitness journeys
• Makes their fans the heroes
Sources
• Greenstein, Howard. "Facebook Pages vs Facebook Groups: What's the Difference?"Mashable. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Aug. 2013.
• http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/28441/The-15-Best-Facebook-Pages-You-ve-Ever-Seen.aspx
• "Facebook Help Center |
Facebook." Facebook Help Center |
Facebook. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Aug.
2013.
• Louise Jett