The OpenWater Blog

5 Best Ways to Use Your Awards Program’s Facebook Page

Creating your awards program’s Facebook Page is a relatively simple task. All you need to do is use your pre existing account to start a new Page. Including basic information about your awards and including a link to your website are a given. However, getting the most out of your Facebook Page to maximize your exposure takes time and attention to detail. Here is what you need to know to make the most out of a Facebook Page and all the features it has to offer for your program.

1. Set Your Photos

a) When setting up the Facebook Page for your awards program, you will be prompted to set a cover photo. This will act as a large banner that goes across the top of your Page. The image should be a representation of what your program is. Get creative with your cover photo, as it is what the users’ eyes will be drawn to first.

b) Next you will be asked to set a profile picture. This is a smaller image that is placed on the left side of your Page. The logo for your program is a good choice here, as your profile picture will appear with any sponsored stories or ads that you run. Make sure your image still looks good when it is scaled down to a thumbnail size, as this is how it will appear on your Page.

2. Arrange Your Views & Apps

Your photos, amount of “likes,” and other apps will appear directly below your cover photo. While your photos are automatically put in the first spot, you can organize and rearrange the others in any way you choose. Feature the most important ones to your awards first. Also, you can control what image appears for each app by going to ‘Manage’> ‘Edit Page’ via the ‘Admin Panel,’ which can be found at the top right of the Page.

3. Pin Important Posts

Facebook gives you the option to anchor certain posts to the top of your timeline for up to seven days. This gives you the ability to have anything you want highlighted about your awards program the first thing users will see when scrolling down your timeline. Use this feature to your advantage when marketing incentives to attend your awards ceremony or submit a nomination, or to promote your ceremony itself.

4. Track Activity With the Admin Panel

The Admin Panel allows you to control a lot of things about your Facebook Page. You have the ability to track all the activity on your Page in one convenient place. Utilize the Admin Panel to respond to comments about your awards program on your timeline. This allows you to connect with your audience, while also giving users the specific answers they are looking for. The Admin Panel also enables you to access Page Insights and the ability to create new ads about your awards program.

5. Allow Messages

Facebook gives you the option to decide whether or not an admin can receive messages from users. Don’t limit methods of communication available to the followers of your program, so enable the ability for messages. Use this feature when you need to discuss or answer something more in depth, or when you would prefer a conversation to not be made public for everyone to see.

Timothy Spell

Timothy Spell co-founded OpenWater in 2007 with the goal of helping organizations tackle and better manage the oftentimes overlooked awards and contests industry. As an author and speaker in the awards industry, Timothy provides unique insight on how to use awards to boost membership, social media followers and search engine traffic.

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