Lately I’ve found myself answering questions from nonprofits about Facebook Places. All of the questions are some variation on “How can we use it to raise awareness and/or money?”.
Following are three creative ideas that have come out of these discussions:
1. Think offline first
Facebook Places is not at all about what’s happening online. It’s about offline locations and events. Start by creating an amazing event that people want to be a part of and then wrap location-tools around it. For example, participants in a walk for cancer can check-in at participating cause partners along their route. Those partners can donate a percent of their purchase, or a flat amount for every checkin.
2. Redefine “Places and Venues”
An interesting way nonprofits can use Facebook Places is to create awareness about their cause by tagging locations that matter. For example, an environmental org can tag beaches that are still impacted by the BP Oil spill.
3. Subtract the “sum” from “assume”
Challenge assumptions you have about how Facebook Places “should be used”. For example, is the Facebook Places icon only meant to be utilized online? Heck no! Why not turn them into actual markers for places IRL – like the University of University of Kentucky did (see one of their Facebook Places signs at the top of this post)
How have you seen Facebook Places used?
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12 responses to "Three ways to use Facebook Places for your nonprofit"
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OMG! Love that marker! That is cool.
Maddie – So do I. They great thing about what they did is that they completely through prevailing assumptions aside and did something very simple, and very, very fun!
I like Places, but after using it a few days I went back to Foursquare. I definitely prefer a location-based community. But when I use Places I just feel like I’m on Facebook, and frankly, I’m just not that active on Facebook. But I see the benefit for people who use Facebook as their #1 platform!
Joe – I think Facebook Places is best used for times when you want to connect with friends at an event, like a concert or a conference. Facebook has the friends network, FourSquare doesn’t. I use FourSquare as a way of sharing where I am – and to see if there are any deals.
I just registered FirstGiving.com on Facebook Places. (I’m working there now.) It was a total pain to officially claim the space, and I still don’t know if we are approved – it is “pending.” That said, claiming the space seems to me to be the first step – like claiming the place on Foursquare. Heather Mansfield wrote a great step-by-step piece on how to claim your Facebook Place here http://nonprofitorgs.wordpress.com/2010/08/23/how-to-add-your-nonprofit-to-facebook-places-and-claim-your-new-places-page/.
I would say it’s just as important to monitor the space – who adds tips, who’s been there, etc.
LOVE the IRL Places marker (as Maddie says, above) and can’t wait to see what else people come up with.
you work at firstgiving now … wow … nice. how’s it going so far?
It is really the first step, but a painful and sometimes long one.
I think Facebook places will be a HUGE opportunity for for-profit and non-profit companies in the future. For now, it’s mostly awareness building, but going forward as they increase functionality, it will be a game changer.
Rachel – The critical thing is the creative strategies..
I love the school example for sure. Very creative use
I could see organizations like the American Heart Association or LIVESTRONG using this type of service … (as well as all the other organizations that do run/walk/ride type fundraising events). It’s a natural fit for them because their fundraising events are physical events with real locations in cities around the country.
Social media and location based tools like Facebook places (and Foursquare) help create a digital footprint the organization that allows those who cannot physically attend the event to participate. It also leaves a nice trail allowing others to see what went on, what type of impact was made, the fun that was had, etc…
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