Are you looking for a better way to connect your organization’s members? Does your organization have a Facebook Fan Page? If not you could be missing out on valuable and cost efficient ways to connect with your group. Follow these easy steps to highlight your organization by using Facebook and watch your organization grow.

If your organization does not already have a Facebook Fan Page this is a great way to get started. Start by picking a member of the group to be the initial Administrator after the Fan Page is created you are able to assign more administrators as needed. Follow the easy steps to get started from the Facebook Help Center located under the Account Menu.

With your organization’s Fan Page created it is time to get the news out to your members. Get the word out by messaging members you may already be connected to in return ask those you are connected with to do the same with the members they know. Sending out an email to your members is a great way to get the news out as well. Make sure to link the new Fan Page in your email so your members can find your Fan Page with just a click of their mouse. Bring attetion to your new page at your organization’s next meeting or event as well.

There are so many great things you can do with your Fan Page and no matter what your organization stands for all of these ideas can work for you:

• Connect with members by posting event dates, times and location. If you have an event that has to be canceled or moved Facebook is a great way to get the message out fast. You can also use the Fan Page to post a note with your organization’s meeting Minutes or you are able to post a game scores, player’s statistics or any other form of important information for your organization.

• Use your Fan Page to highlight an outstanding group member, for example if your page is a sports team feature a different athlete each week. Or if your group is volunteer based showcase an outstanding member and the work they have done. By showing recognition to your members it can build a great sense of pride for your members and encourage a greater feel of community.

• A Fan Page is a great place to put up media of your group’s activities. You can easily add photos of an event, or video of a game or an awards show. By sharing media of your group could encourage new members to join or it will connect with those members that are not as active making them feel more involved. Facebook makes it easy to share with members any form of media make sure to utilize this tool.

• Creating a Fan Page is one of the number one ways to creating new members for your organization. With Facebook connecting to over 250 million people world wide your Fan Page has the potential to connect with anyone on Facebook. If your group is part of a National Organization your Fan Page will help to connect with other members of your organization making it easy to share their ideas, articles, and events.

• If your organization is running a fundraiser Facebook is a great way to promote it. Use your Fan Page for members to share the event with their friends and family. You can use your page to update members and donors on how your fundraiser is going. Provide pictures or video of what you used your funds for. Using your Fan Page you are able to honor your top members in raising funds which will reward members for their hard work and dedication to your group.

When you are making your Organization’s  Fan Page remember your audience and what they would like to get out of being a fan of your page. Remember there is no right or wrong way to run a Fan Page and to have fun with it. The purpose of a Fan Page is to connect members and the best part it is free to your organization.