1. Facebook for your Parish
Creating and maintaining a Facebook page in 5 minutes or less!

2. What are you afraid of? How many of you have a personal FB account?
How many of your parishes already have one?
What concerns do you have about maintaining a page? Hopefully I will answer your questions throughout this session.

3. Where to start… Go to www.facebook.com
Scroll to the bottom of the page and click ‘create page’
Choose ‘Company, Organization, or Institution’
Choose ‘Church/Religious Organization’ and type in your church’s name
Log-in or create a new Facebook account using your or mobile number
Input basic information about your parish
(ex: Mission statement, Mass times, Location, Contact information, and profile picture)
Now you’re ready to write your first post!
Personal preference: I use my office address for the parish page, it separates me from the page when I’m not in the office, which allows me to keep my work separate from my home life. I do not check this particular address from home. Filters can be set up in preferences also.
When choosing a picture, choose something that is iconic and recognizable for your parishioners. Ex: Our statue

4. If you stop here you will still have a fantastic page!
Wondering what to post?
Upcoming events
Daily Scripture reflections
My recommendations:
Shout-outs
The websites I’ve suggested are merely my opinions on what works for my parish. Please use discretion and discuss your ideas with your pastor before representing your parish. It is very important to maintain church teaching. I rule on the side of positivity as to not offend anyone who ‘likes’ our page.
If you stop here you will still have a fantastic page!
But there’s more…

5. Creating an event to increase outreach
Invite people who ‘like’ your page to an event and they will be able to invite their friends!

6. Scheduling posts
Scheduling posts when you will be out of the office/unavailable!
Allows you to repost important events without setting
reminders for yourself.
Freedom!
I will typically schedule posts for events to remind people of the time/location (ex: Christmas play, Holy days, DOY events)
I also schedule my weekend posts before I leave the office on Friday so I don’t have to worry about it over the weekend.
And I schedule posts for immediately after an event thanking people for coming, or congratulating a group.

7. Why have a Facebook page?
FOMO: Fear of Missing Out
A recent study by of adults 18 and older revealed 56% of social media users are afraid of missing out on events, news, and important status updates if they are away from it for too long.
42% have accounts on multiple networks
61% for those between 18-34

8. Social Media Myths… 5. My ministry needs to be on EVERY network.
4. Set and forget.
3. If they’re not talking to me, I don’t need to know.
2. Social media is only for broadcasting MY message.
AND…
Information from:

9. 1. Maintaining a page takes too long… YOU CAN DO IT!
If you have between 5-10 minutes a day, you can
Create and maintain a Facebook page for your ministry.
PROMOTE! PROMOTE! PROMOTE!

10. Want to learn more???
I will be in the demo room for the rest of the day if you’d like to begin the set-up process of your page!