A crucial tip for planning events using Facebook Pages

By | December 8, 2008

Facebook Fail

I’ve used Facebook events many times. I organize the monthly Nashville Geek Breakfast using Facebook, I organized the Toronto Twitter Tweet Up last month using Facebook too. Most people are on it, so it’s an easy way to create and manage events. That is unless you’re creating the event in a Fan Page.

I am in the middle of trying to organize a Twitter meetup in San Francisco during MacWorld. I created the meetup event through the Griffin Technology fan page and all seemed to go well. The RSVP is growing (like crazy) every day, so much that I need to change the venue.

That’s when I discovered a major flaw in how Facebook Pages handles events. There is no option for me to send a message to RSVP’d people. I can’t contact them to let them know that the venue has changed. The only way I can send them all a message is to cancel the event.

If I’m able to find a venue that can handle a group of 200+ people, I’ll cancel the event and send the up date details to the group that way. Then I’ll have to create a new event for each person to RSVP, probably using Anyvite.com or Pingg.com this time around.

Side note: Do you happen to know a good location to have a Twitter tweet up near the Moscone Center for 200+ people?

Thanks to Adam Jackson for all of your help.


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  • http://www.canadianparents.com Cara Miller

    This is a peeve of ours too. I don’t like that you don’t have the same functionality with a Fan Page as you do with a FB Group! We like to send out quick updates when we add new things and the Fan Pages don’t work so well!

  • raines

    Dave,

    Unfortunately, if you want that big near Moscone, you're probably paying for it. If you've got an in with the Expo organizers and can get conference space after hours, great. Otherwise, you're looking at a big bar with minimums. The Cnet (CBS Interactive) space might be an option, I have some contacts there. Don't forget the no-show rate; signing up is so easy and low-commitment that the majority of these folks won't make it.

    R

  • http://www.davemadethat.com Dave Delaney

    Thanks for the comment Cara, it's good to hear from you.
    The thing I like about Fan Pages is that a) they are accessible to people
    who aren't necessarily Facebook users, and b) they are indexed by Google.

    I'm pretty bummed about this event planning though. It's a major snag.

    Cheers,
    Dave

    Find me online: http://www.davemadethat.com
    LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/davedelaney
    Blog: blog.davemadethat.com
    Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/davedelaney

  • http://www.davemadethat.com Dave Delaney

    Thanks Raines. I appreciate the comment.
    I hope to have an clearer idea and location secured by Wednesday. I realize
    many people won't turn up, but I'm concerned there's still a few weeks for
    the number to grow substantially. For now I'm estimating 200.

    I may hit you up for your that space on Wednesday if I have nothing secured
    by then. Is it in Moscone? I was hoping to offer San Francisco Twitter peeps
    a place to meet, even those who aren't at MacWorld.

    Cheers,
    Dave

    Find me online: http://www.davemadethat.com
    LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/davedelaney
    Blog: blog.davemadethat.com
    Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/davedelaney

  • Margo

    Hey Dave, we can def solve the issues you mention above. Love for you to give us a whirl.

    With pingg you can send your invite via email, post to Twitter, Facebook, send via sms, print (we print/stamp/mail for you), all at the same time. If there are changes simply send a message via pingg to those who RSVPd “yes” (even if they did so through Facebook) and your guests will get updated info sent to them. Of course you can also have pingg re-post your event URL to Fbook & Twitter, all of the updated info will be available to your guests. Hope this helps.

  • Vincent Finnie

    great blog and article

  • http://www.earthman.ca/ Earthman

    Hi Dave,

    When you change an event's Time or Location details, it gives you the option to notify the guests.

    One other thing: Your Facebook Connect Icon on this page doesn't work…

    Cheers!
    T

  • http://www.davemadethat.com Dave Delaney

    Thanks, Facebook has revised the feature since my original post. Thankfully.

    I'll look at the Connect button too. I appreciate you letting me know.

  • http://www.earthman.ca/ Earthman

    Hi Dave,

    When you change an event's Time or Location details, it gives you the option to notify the guests.

    One other thing: Your Facebook Connect Icon on this page doesn't work…

    Cheers!
    T

  • http://www.davemadethat.com Dave Delaney

    Thanks, Facebook has revised the feature since my original post. Thankfully.

    I'll look at the Connect button too. I appreciate you letting me know.

  • http://www.davemadethat.com Dave Delaney

    I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.

    - Dave

    Dave Delaney
    Social Media Coordinator at Griffin Technology
    Greater Nashville Area

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  • http://www.davemadethat.com Dave Delaney

    I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.

    - Dave

    Dave Delaney
    Social Media Coordinator at Griffin Technology
    Greater Nashville Area

    Confirm that you know Dave Delaney: https://www.linkedin.com/e/-125lbr-guhp0dcw-65/isd/4770048215/y8U-Msos/?hs=false&tok=2qHYHJOOq5LAY1
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