How to Post on Facebook Like a Pro

FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY IN A POST

Consider the demographics of your specific audience – what language do they understand, what are their daily schedules like, etc.
Include date, time (including time zone), and place when promoting an event. Always include a website address if there is one. If the event has a website address, keep the post short and let people find out more information by visiting the website.
Are you posting a flyer to promote something? Or do you have a photo or visual that has been designed specifically for Facebook in mind? Your actual message can be tailored depending on what photo or visual you use. (Using a photo means you can use more descriptive words in the post; If you have a flyer, you can be more general.)

TIMING IS A VERY IMPORTANT FACTOR

Take into consideration what your audience is doing at the time you are going to post. Are classes in session if posting for students? Is it a time of day when most people are out of class/work and scrolling on social media?
Ask yourself, could this post potentially gain more traction by being posted earlier in the day, or is it better “news” to post later?

FACEBOOK EVENTS

Creating a Facebook Event can be a tool to advertise events for appropriate occasions. These can include campus-wide events, annual events hosted by departments, large-scale student-oriented events, etc. A Facebook Event would not be created for occasions such as club meetings, organizational recruitment events, tabling events, etc.
- However, it’s ok not to create a Facebook Event, you can simply just promote attending in a regular post if you’d like.
Creating Facebook Events lets you see who may be attending, before the event. It also allows individuals to share the event with their Facebook connections.
- However, some individuals may not feel comfortable sharing that they are attending when the host is a Page and not a Friend’s profile so keep that in mind.
You will need a visual to use as an Event Photo. Use real photos with the RCNJ community, or specifically designed visuals.
Make sure to fill out as many sections as possible when creating the event. It will help those interested get as much information as possible.

KEEP TRACK OF RESPONSES AND ENGAGEMENT

The comments, likes, shares are important parts of engagement, so be sure to review and learn from them. Also review the Insights section for more in-depth analytics.
Keep in mind the times your most successful posts were published to tap into again.

CROSS PROMOTING OTHER RAMAPO ACCOUNTS

Try “checking in” to places on campus to let your audience know about different programs and departments.
- If promoting an upcoming performance, you could check in to “The Berrie Center.”
- If promoting an alumni event, you can check in to “The Ramapo Alumni Association.”
Checking in only works if that department or unit’s Facebook page lists a mailing address in the “About” section of its page.
Talking about a unit or club that has a page? Tag their page within the text of your post.

NEW CAMPAIGNS/IDEAS

New ideas are great, and it is important to keep up with appropriate trends to promote follower engagement.
When you have a new idea, it is important to meet with the Social Media Strategist and the Social Media Team to ensure success, and to keep us in the loop.
We highly recommend regularly attending the Social Media Group meetings. As a group, we discuss different topics related to social media, brand guidelines, the latest platform updates, and best practices. For more info or to be added to the email list, visit ramapo.edu/social-media/social-media-group/

PROFILE TIPS

Make sure your profile has the most relevant, up-to-date information that all of your followers need to know (office location, contact information, etc).
You can link a web page or Archway account in your profile. If you decide to utilize a link in your bio, make sure that the link is updated and maintained.
Use a profile photo and header that is relevant and tells your followers who you are. We recommend working with Marketing & Communications for assistance with profile icon design and branding standards. ramapo.edu/project-request/creative-brief-form/

ACCESSIBILITY

Being accessible means that anyone, regardless of ability, can access and engage with your content.
Utilize the Alternative Text (Alt. Text) feature when posting with a visual to allow those with visual impairments to utilize screen readers and access your content (it’s also known as an image description, and not to be confused with a caption).
- You can access this by clicking “Edit” on a photo before posting it.
Be descriptive but concise when writing Alt. Text so that your followers can be as engaged as possible.

BECOME RECOGNIZED BY THE COLLEGE

All officially recognized Ramapo-affiliated accounts are linked in the Social Media Directory: ramapo.edu/social-media/directory/
Don’t see your club/organization/department/office/program in the Directory? Fill out the Social Media Application Form to get your account recognized by the College. ramapo.edu/social-media/social-media-application-form/

VISUALS/PHOTOGRAPHY

Flyers need to be redesigned for social media and maintain College branding standards.
We recommend you work with Marketing & Communications to design the social media visuals you’ll need for your posts. Start the process by filling out our job request form: ramapo.edu/project-request/creative-brief-form/
If you must design it on your own, please consult ramapo.edu/social-media/graphic-design-tips-for-social-media/ for graphic design tips and tricks.
Less is more – get to the point. Include the basic info (event title, date, time, location, etc) from the flyer into the visual and then include the more specific info (expanded context, event specifics, etc) in the caption. If it’s a reoccurring annual event, we will design a visual that only includes certain information so that you can use each year and update the information in the caption.
When using “real” photos, it is best to brainstorm photos that can be evergreen for your posts and then build a photo bank to use year-round.
Take photos on smart devices or request Marketing & Communications photography coverage. The College Photographer can provide coverage for various photo needs: growing your unit/group’s photo gallery, events, headshots, etc: ramapo.edu/project-request/creative-brief-form/
You can request quality photos from the Marketing & Communications photo bank – email us (socialmedia@ramapo.edu) with the Flickr links and we’ll download the photos and share with you. ramapo.edu/webservices/flickr/

QUESTIONS?

• Email socialmedia@ramapo.edu

Last updated: July 20, 2022