Continuing our series on social media, Lauren Rhodes, Marketing & Membership Assistant, tells us more about Facebook.
“Facebook tops Google for weekly traffic in the U.S.” – Erik Qualman
What is Facebook? Facebook is a “social networking web site that is operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc.” Facebook's mission is “to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected.” Facebook has more than 400 million active users and people spend over 500 billion minutes per month on the site – and it continues to grow, globally.
Step 1: Have a personal profile page that is used exclusively for you as an adviser.
Connect with your students, other teachers, advisers, FCCLA and other professional organizations. You may already have a personal profile page that you use on Facebook to stay connected to friends and family – do not use this page! Instead, create a profile for you as an adviser and a teacher. For example, Jane Doe has her own profile so she created another profile for Ms. Doe, who teaches at Some High School. She even created her own email address for this personal adviser profile, ms.doe.socialmedia@gmail.com.
Step 2: Start a group for your FCCLA chapter.
Starting a group on Facebook is easy and valuable for you as an adviser. It is a way to connect your chapter together in a forum that most of them use on a daily basis. You can post photos and video, send messages to the entire chapter with one click, send event invitations and reminders, create online surveys and quizzes, etc. If time is an issue, have a chapter officer (such as the VP of Public Relations) monitor and update the site.
Step 3: Post important information on you group site.
Put up links to important web sites: FCCLA homepage, chapter website (if you have one), school website, press releases, causes your chapter is supporting, etc. Model the way by posting encouraging chapter photos, videos, news stories, FCCLA information, etc. Communicate important announcements on the group’s wall and create upcoming events.
Step 4: Promote and recruit for your chapter.
Use Facebook to promote upcoming events and fundraisers by having your chapter members re-post events to all of their friends. This is done by selecting the “Share” box on the event page and is then re-posted on the individuals wall and news feed. Encourage your chapter to invite friends to join your chapter’s group - this will help introduce them to FCCLA, FACS, and your chapter.
Step 5: Update and monitor the site as frequently as possible.
No one likes to visit a website that isn't current. Updates should be posted regularly. By posting frequently, the information posted will show up in any members’ news feed and this gives free publicity. As an adviser it is important to supervise your chapter and make sure they are modeling the way and representing FCCLA respectfully.
These are some essential steps toward developing and maintaining presence on Facebook. Feel free to post questions and discuss or contact me at lrhodes@fcclainc.org.
Posts
1 comment:
I just started a page for our FCCLA chapters this past year as a way to collaborate. Originally I had it as a invitation only page and then decided to open it up for anyone. I try to update it with messages about upcoming meetings and events. I've tried to encourage discussions through it, but that has not taken off as much. So far, students have used it to share pictures from different activities and events we've done and attended. Next year, I think I am going to open it up for my officers to run versus me being the only administrator. I think it is likely see more action then. :-) It is easier than designing and continuously updating a chapter website. Through this experience, I have gained more interaction between myself, parents, and students which has been great since I have to travel between 2 campuses.
Post a Comment