Anyone with a Facebook profile knows that this social media site is a prime place for event planners. It even allows you to make an “event”. What could be more straightforward than that? You can post flyers, updates, send out messages, etc. It’s a great tool to reach out to prospective event guests. But don’t give up once everyone goes home. There is still Facebook follow-up. Typically, groups post pictures from the event and/or recap videos. However, there are other ways to follow-up with your guests.
If you created a specific Facebook page for your event, there are a couple of awesome tools that allow you to easily connect with your guests. One of these tools is the Facebook Ads platform. Through this platform, you can target your specific guests that have connected with your Facebook page. So, in other words, they would be the only ones receiving your thank you advertisement. First, you would need to design an ad. It could consist of your retreat logo, a picture from the event or a short recap video. However, make sure to include text thanking your guests for attending the event. For more information and a step-by-step guide, click here.
Another great tool to use through Facebook is called Facebook Pixel, a code that you would need to embed within your event website. This tool will collect information on those who have visited your website and have a Facebook profile. You can use this gathered information within the Facebook Ad platform to target those who have attended your retreat. You could also target those who have looked into your event but were unable to attend. Click here for a step-by-step guide to creating a pixel.
If you are looking for something that is easier to create through Facebook (and free), then create a poll! Your questions could look like this:
What was your favorite part about the retreat?
- Worship Service
- Small Groups
- _______ Recreation Activity
- Campfire
- I Loved Every Minute
Please rate your overall experience at the retreat.
- Fantastic
- Good
- Average
- Poor
However, there are a few negatives to creating a poll on Facebook, such as you can only post one question at a time. So, if you have multiple questions you would like to ask your guests, you will have to create multiple polls. Also, these polls are not private. Not only can you see how a particular person voted, but so can the other guests on your event Facebook page. Nevertheless, creating a poll on Facebook is an easy and quick way to get feedback from your guests. For step-by-step instructions on how to create a poll within Facebook, click here.
Now, I am not saying that you have to keep this up for months and months. A week or even two after your event will get the job done.There are always the traditional forms of following up (postcards, surveys, emails, etc). But let’s get with the times! Facebook can reach more people in more and better ways than any of those methods.