Absolutely the best way to set up a Facebook Page (and add admins)

3343211697 e34fbb9e28 Absolutely the best way to set up a Facebook Page (and add admins)

Update: Facebook has changed how to set up a Facebook Page. Please read this post for the latest procedure.

Setting a Facebook Page can be one of the most confusing tasks – for most people.

Not just you.

The starting point is hard to find, selecting your Page category can be tricky, and even finding your Page once it’s created can be a chore.

Should I create a separate account for my Page?

If you’re starting from square one with a Page, you’ll want to know which account to use for the Page. Should you use your personal username and password or should you create a completely new account?

The short answer is to create a completely new account and then add your personal account as an admin of the Page. This approach solves two common problems:

  1. The person who creates the Page leaves the organization, taking your Page credentials with them.
  2. Having to log in and out of Facebook to engage as a Page and then a person.

Even if you’re the sole founder of your org, it’s still a good idea to use this approach for the simple reason that you will at some point die, and you won’t want your friends finding those private pics of drunk you in Las Vegas.

It’s also important to note that your Page name and category cannot be changed once they’re created. And making the wrong choice here can impact your ability to spread awareness about your nonprofit.

Here’s a quick video showing you, step-by-step how to set up a Page in the first place:

Three ways to add additional admins of your Page

Kim Woodbridge wrote an excellent post last week illustrating three ways to add more admins to your Page. You’ll want more people to help administrate your Page – especially during fundraising campaigns or events.

Here’s a quick video showing you what Kim shared about adding admins:

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  • http://www.brandonacox.com/bloggers Brandon Cox

    I had never even considered before the question of what account from which to launch a page. Now I'm moving from one organization to another and am facing this issue. Great tip!

    • http://www.johnhaydon.com John Haydon

      You're welcome, Brandon!

  • http://www.beaconfire.com/blog Joanna Miles

    I love the idea of having a new account that does nothing but “own” the page. But, last time I helped a client through this process (admittedly, about a year ago), we checked the Facebook TOS and they did not allow any person to create multiple accounts, or to create an account for a non-person. Has that changed? That would be convenient.

    My client's compromise was to find someone high up in their org who had no plans to personally use Facebook, and created an account for them. That won't work for every nonprofit, though.

    • http://www.johnhaydon.com John Haydon

      Your not creating an account for a “non-person” because you create a profile by default as well. It's just that that profile won't be the one you use personally.

      • Pomonapal

        John,
        can you help me?
        Hi,
        I just tried to follow the advice and set up a new group. Somehow I left if before I could make myself an administrator. Now I can't access it anymore.
        I see the group but I cannot get control.
        What can i do?

      • Rashell

        try logging into your profile, in the top right hand there is a menu bar… click the 3rd item titled “account” and the item titled “manage pages” from the drop down list. From the pop up window click the option to “go to page” which should take you to it. Next, under the area where the profile photo would go there is another menu/list of 3 items click the first item title “edit page”. That should open up all the admin options for you.

        HTH,

        Rashell

      • Rashell

        let me clarify… you have to login to the new profile account you just created for the group and then follow the rest of the steps.

        then… do the email thing to set your regular/old profile as the admin.

        sorry

        Rashell

      • http://www.johnhaydon.com John Haydon

        Gotcha

      • http://www.johnhaydon.com John Haydon

        Log back in using the other account. Also, this post applies to Pages,
        not Groups (which should be created and adminstered by people anyhow).

      • Rashell

        I've seen this strategy recommended several times recently. And your premise for needing to set up entity accounts separate of a personal account makes absolute sense. Perhaps I'm interpreting this wrong. It seems FB FAQs claim it's a violation of FB TOS.

        See the first through third sections of this FB FAQ page particularly line one of the third…
        http://www.facebook.com/help/#!/help/?page=721

        and their TOS Section 4 Subsection 2
        http://www.facebook.com/help/#!/terms.php?ref=pf

        From what I understand you can either set up a FB Business Account or Personal but not both, not multiples and not more than one personal. Am I mistaking?

        Rashell

      • http://www.johnhaydon.com John Haydon

        The FAQ clearly states that “you may create a business account if you
        don't already have a standard Facebook account.”

        The approach I'm recommending assumes that the non-profit has no other
        accounts. If a staff member has a profile, that doesn't mean that the
        org she works for has an account.

  • Pomonapal

    Hi,
    I just tried to follow the advice and set up a new group. Somehow I left if before I could make myself an administrator. Now I can't access it anymore.
    I see the group but I cannot get control.
    What can i do?

  • http://www.mamaterapeuta.cl Mama Terapeuta

    Well, I didnt read this earlies and created my page with my personal account. The problem is that now facebook limits to 100 the number of personal friends that can like my page…

    Is this a bug?????? How can I fix this! Is becoming very frustrating!

    • http://www.johnhaydon.com John Haydon

      No it's not a bug. Facebook assumes that Page owners have other ways
      of building a fanbase than inviting their personal friends to become
      fans. Also Profiles are meant for personal use, and not to promote
      Pages.

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