This might become a new column for me. Just tips that help you do life. Hopefully you’ll learn something, but you might also teach me something extra after you read. The topic might be about Facebook things one day, Microsoft Word the next, then maybe driving, cooking, pets, government processes, grammar, or any number of other things.
Email me if you want to correct me about something, or if you have a topic you’d like me to write about, or if you’re an expert on something and you want to submit some advice (written, pics, video, or all of the above). The email address is [email protected]. Ok, let’s get to our tip for this time:
What’s the topic?
You’ve gone to all the trouble to plan an event, and you’re hoping people will show up. Let’s learn how to create a Facebook event in a way that people see it, they don’t ignore it, they add it to their digital calendar, they get any questions answered, and the final goal – they go to your event!
Who is this tip for?
This tip is for Businesses, Organizations, and Individuals.
👉 Ok let’s Create a Facebook event:
Even if you already know how to create an event, don’t skip this. There is a lot of good info that may be new to you. Or, you can feel free to blast me for making you stick around for stuff you already knew. 😅
These instructions are for mobile devices, since most people are using them to access Facebook. Instructions are similar for desktop.
Your Account:
Switch to the Facebook page that you want listed as the Host of the event. (your personal page, business page or group).
The Menu:
Click your account icon at the top right, to go to your page with all the shortcuts to Friends, Groups, Pages, Feeds, Marketplace, Reels, and yes, Events is on there somewhere. Click the Events tab.
The Add Button:
On your Events home page, find the Plus Sign (+) at the top right and click it.
The Form:
Now you’re on the form to enter details for your event. You’ll want to consider using EVERY blank and option they have provided. The picture, name, dates, whether it repeats, the privacy level, and the details.
The Picture:
Don’t skip adding the picture. Even the most basic pic is better than nothing. Take note of what size the picture should be, and whether a person’s face will be cropped off and look weird. Try to have the main logo or subject or text showing in the very middle of the image. You can even take a picture of something close up for the background, then add text in your phone’s image editor.
The Event Name:
Name your event with details so guest immediately remember the what/when/where. When people see your event title, they don’t always see your account name with it. This is true on Facebook in the feeds and DMs and invite notifications, BUT ALSO in their digital calendar after they save the event to it (iCal, Google Calendar, Outlook, etc.) If it’s a generic word or phrase like Meeting, Gathering, Anniversary, Dinner, etc., it’s going to be just that when people see it in their calendar. Example of a uniquely named event: “Shelli’s Domino Night in Benton June 5th” or “Indoor Canoe Speed Dating at Bishop Park Dec 26th.”
The Details/Description:
Repeat ALL the info. Some people will want to copy/paste it. Examples of details:
Advanced options:
There are other options like choosing an event category, adding co-hosts, setting up a Messenger Chat for attendees…
The Tickets:
Then there is a spot for Tickets. Whether you’re selling tickets or not…. Whether tickets are through a website or in person… Consider adding a web address for Tickets, or just for more info. This directs people where you want them to go next.
The Review:
Check everything for spelling, typos, facts, etc. and publish your post.
Inviting Guests:
You can invite people as you are finishing up with creating the event. You can also invite more people later, up to a certain number of people. If you are on the desktop version, you can invite people who are in certain FB groups, or that RSVP’d to previous events. Don’t forget to ask your friends to invite their friends.
The Marketing:
If it’s a public event, share the on any Facebook pages or groups that make sense. Share it on other social media platforms too. Ask others to share. Some social media platforms have the opportunity to post an ad as well. (Of course, you can advertise it with MySaline under our very affordable rates.)
If it’s a private event, contact people on your guest list directly. Don’t rely on them to get the invite notification from Facebook. Message them, text them, email them, or oh my stars call them or just say it in person. Some people have been know to print the invitation on a piece of paper and mail it. Yes, with a stamp!
The Discussion Section:
See if anyone has started a post to ask questions. It’s important that they get an answer in good time before the event.
Post something occasionally, to increase views and activity on the event. Questions help people to know you’d like a reply.
Update people who have already RSVP’d to the event. “Who remembers Shaun Cassidy from the Hardy Boys? We’re proud to welcome him as a guest speaker about crime solving!”
Post something just to hype up the event. “Are y’all ready for some foosball?!”
You could even just post a gif that goes along with the mood of the event.
Unfortunately, there might be some spam posts or comments you’ll want to delete/ban/report. Spammers often try to fraudulently sell non-existing tickets to your potential guests.
Follow-up:
If it’s been a few days or a week, share the event to your social media again.
Check all the event details again in case something has changed.
Check the guest list to see if you need to remind anyone to RSVP.
Make one last discussion post and include the basic details (what/when/where/tickets), so people can take action if they haven’t already – or they can correct bad info they had in their head.
In Closing:
That’s it! Don’t forget to invite me to your event, and if it’s open to the public, email it to [email protected] for our events page at www.mysaline.com/events.
💡
