Running a Facebook page for your Kin group can seem like a time-consuming task with little payoff. However, with a few tips and tricks, the time investment can be minimal and it can really help spread the word about your group, what you do and the events that you’re running. After the initial set up of the page, here are a few simple rules to remember to ensure you’re getting a return on the time you’ve invested:

1. Get everyone in your club with a Facebook account to like the page and the share the updates. If your own membership isn’t interacting with the page, you can’t expect the general public to do so either. Your club members should be liking and sharing your status updates to ensure maximum visibility. Facebook works on a system that causes statuses, photos, etc., to show up in more newsfeeds the more likes and comments they have. Get members to ask their family to like and interact with the page as well.
2. When first starting out, treat your page as if you have hundreds of followers already. If you aren’t posting anything, you can’t expect anyone to like your page. Don’t decide not to post anything because you only have 5 followers to begin with. Your numbers will never grow that way. Tell people when and where you’re having your meetings. Tell them to join you. Share a photo from an event you’re running. Tell people about an upcoming event. Share facts about your club. All of this may seem very simply, but is very important in growing your followers. You don’t need several updates a day. However, at least 2 to 3 a week should be the minimum.
3. Ask people to share important statuses. If you don’t ask, it won’t happen. Are you selling tickets on something? Post an update on it and ask people to share it at the end of the update. It seems very simple, but it works. Most people won’t think about it unless you ask them to do it.
4. Be positive! Tell people how great your club is. Don’t be afraid to toot your own horn! Tell them how much money you raised at an event and how that will benefit your community. Celebrate your success like gaining a new member or members. Tell people about a club anniversary. Let people know if a member just hit the five, 10 or 15 year mark. If you aren’t proud of your club, don’t expect the community to take pride in it either.
5. Don’t lose your mind over negative comments. Facebook is a public forum and expecting to never receive a negative comment on your page isn’t realistic. Respond to it, but don’t get involved in a back and forth public conversation or argument. Have your say and move on. If the same person continues to post negative comments, remove them. At the end of the day, it’s your page and you have every right to decide who gets to see your posts. However, blocking and/or deleting people at the drop of a hat won’t do you any favours either.

At the end of the day, have fun with your page! Show the public how much fun your club has at events and meetings and that will lead to people wanting to join you. Be proud of your accomplishments/achievements. None of this has to be complicated or cumbersome. It doesn’t have to eat up all your time. It can be a great tool to help spread the word about the great work you’re doing.

See more ideas in the Communications Corner

Check out last week’s post