Social media is so difficult for me. It's just not natural. Maybe because socializing isn't easy for me either. I'm much more comfortable behind a microphone or in a blog.
Nevertheless, I've gotten better using my Facebook page. At the beginning of the week, I try to make list of news items I want to share. I try to make them a little bit interactive. I also started sharing Celtic and Geek content that I like to my Facebook page.
A lot of Facebook “experts” though say I should be using Facebook groups. I don't hold much stock in “experts”. But there's a tipping point when I have to ask myself, “how do I do that?” or “why should?”.
The problem is I am extremely overwhelmed by social media. I have too much to do. I need help!
OR I need to create personal rules to determine how I should do this.
I went searching for other blogs on the topic. They all say the same thing and they suck. They're designed for… businesses, I guess.
Yes, I'm running a music business, but again, they are lame.
So this is my attempt to create and share my rules of engagement.
What are Facebook Pages and when should I use them?
The Facebook page is the FACE of the business. It's the place where I will post news and announcements for my music business.
I will focus on “Value-Added” items to promote me and my music. These include:
- Podcasts
- Videos
- Lyrics
- Pictures
- Music
- Blogs
- Live streaming
- Thanks to New Patrons on Patreon
When do I post these?
Thankfully, you can schedule your posts on Facebook Pages. I post mine at 8 am, 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, and 6 pm. Those are kind of loosely based on the peak times that people check Facebook.
Theme of the Week
I would like to add a THEME of the week. Something to unify the entire week and provide consistency, but… that's difficult. I only occasionally get one for big events like St Patrick's Day or maybe Hobbit Day.
I think those are some pretty good rules.
What are Facebook Groups and when should I use them?
I haven't been too active in groups until recently. Sure, the “experts” say you should but how?
About six months ago, I started paying attention to fun Celtic and geek posts that came across my Facebook feed. I started sharing those to my Facebook Page. Yesterday, I realized THAT is the content that I should share to my Groups.
A Facebook Group is a place for people to gather and share content around a specific topic. It's a great place to build a community.
Community. I love that word. I love the idea of communities. I'm just not that great at building them.
Four years ago or so, I started the Celtic Geek “community”. I don't add any content into it. It sits dormant mostly. Some times others will add to it. But usually not.
Now I realize that is where I will share future Celtic and Geek posts that I have been sharing in my Page.
The same goes for the Irish & Celtic Music Club that I started for the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. If I find something appropriate, I can share it there as well.
I'll be honest. I'm not convinced these are the rules I'll be using in another six months. But this makes sense to me for now.
It's time to test. Will this new strategy help boost interactivity and “community” in the Celtic Geeks group? I don't know. But it's time to try something new!
If you have any thoughts or suggestions on how you use a Facebook Page vs. Facebook Group, please post in the comments or contact me directly.
