Eleven Killer Facebook Page Applications For Your Nonprofit

April 14, 2010

Facebook Pages are where most nonprofits establish a home-base on Facebook. You can send targeted updates to fans, engage supporters on a wall, and give visitors a customized experience by using a variety of applications.

Your Page comes standard with a few applications developed by Facebook like Discussions and Events. But you can also add third-party applications to your Page.

Eleven Killer Facebook Page Applications For Your Nonprofit

Below are eleven popular apps that many nonprofits are using to create a unique experience for their fans (WARNING: Establish clear goals and a strategy before adding apps).

Twitter App - This app automatically re-posts your tweets in your Facebook Page status. A big time-saver, but a potential bother to your fans if you use Twitter a lot, or if you tweet about topics that aren’t related to your Page.
Selective Tweets - This app allows to you to selectively post a status update on your Facebook Page from Twitter simply by adding the hashtag “#fb”.
Facebook Notes – Allows you to create formatted text with images, links to a post or add an RSS feed from your blog. Set it and forget it!
Blog RSS Feed Reader – This a bit more robust than the notes app. You can add an image for your feed, add multiple feeds and even send out alerts to friends of new updates.
Flash Player - This app allows you to upload Flash videos or games to your Page, which can create a highly customized experience for your fans.
Static FBML - This app allows you to add certain types of HTML within a custom tab which can be named to match your brand. Below is an example of how Epic Change customized their Facebook Page using the Static FBML App.
Extended Info – This app works much like the Static FBML application but is slightly easier to use. You can add lists, images, videos and other pre-formatted sections to a custom tab.
Fundrazr - This app makes it easy for your supporters to fundraise for your cause. You can sell tickets to events, communicate to members and event track results with an analytics feature.
MyFlickr – Display your Flickr photos on Facebook so that fans can view them, comment on them, and tag them without leaving your Facebook Page.
YouTube Video Box – This app is pretty straight forward. Search for videos, add them to a custom tab and share them easily on with fans. Epic Change has created a unique tab for YouTube fans to share Epic Change videos with friends.
Poll Daddy Polls – An easy way to increase engagement and understand your fanbase is with simple polls (yes / no, three choices). This app also has a sharing element to it: As soon as a user votes, they are given a choice to share their vote with their friends. Below is a poll I added the the Inbound Zombie Page.

Less is more on Facebook

Don’t go app crazy. Start with goals and strategy first – decide what you want to accomplish first. Remove any application that you’re not using through the applications setting in the app.