Someone messaged me on facebook this morning to ask how I set up my Facebook Author Fan Page. I did it some time ago, probably with the help of my tech support, who is now busy being a freshman computer science major at the University of Michigan. But I’ve reconstructed the drill myself as part of the Bloggiesta blogging marathon weekend (bloggers helping bloggers – a wonderful thing!). And if I can figure it out without tech support, so can you:
1. Sign in to Facebook
2. Go to THIS PAGE (go ahead, click: it will open a new tab and you can still read the instructions here)
3. Fill in the righthand, “Official Page” side of the form by clicking “Artist, Band, or Public Figure,” and filling in your name or blog name, and clicking “I’m the official representative of this person, business, band or product and have permission to create this Page.”
4. Click “Create Page”
That will take you immediately to the page, and you can start filling in the info.
Some advantages to a Fan Page over a Personal One:
- You can have an unlimited number of “fans,” whereas the number of friends anyone can have is limited.
- People who might be reluctant to “friend” an author or blogger they don’t actually know can connect with you.
- You can use a bigger icon, up to 180×540. (I did the one at right – with all three of my book jackets – in photoshop.)
- You can promote a fan page with Facebook Ads.
For authors, I recommend an author page rather than fan page for a specific book unless you never plan to write another. I learned this the hard way, by setting up a Wednesday Sisters fan page, and then having to get my fans to migrate to my author page in preparation for the release of a new novel.
And how do you get fans to like the page? Do make suggestions below! – Meg
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Stopping by from Bloggiesta to test out your comments- have a great day!
Meg! Long time no chat! Great to see you doing Bloggiesta!
Ack! Thanks, Emily. It’s still not working.
Trying to make comment love work for Meg.
On other blogs where I have seen “Comment Luv.. I thought it showed up right under the comment box – even before you commented.
Meg,
Thanks for sharing this. I don’t need a “fan page” yet, but when I do, I’ll know where to look for instructions.
> I thought it showed up right under the comment box – even before you commented.
I think it does, Sheila. Can’t figure out why it isn’t working. It shows installed and active. Sigh. This is something I’ve been trying to make work for months.
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Thanks for the great tips! I’ve already got a personal page, so wish I’d known about this sooner.
Thanks for this awesome tutorial! I had been wondering how to do this
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Your author page looks great! What is also great about it is the activity! Wow!
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http://theslightdetour.blogspot.com/2011/01/soumdo-you-want-to-come-in.html
thanks Meg, i’ve been wondering how to do this myself. didn’t realize there was a separate fan vs personal page. you caught me just in time!
Hi Meg,
While browsing through for the B&W Blogger Ball, I stumbled on this post. Care to add any suggestions/recommendations for getting fans to like your page?
I’m nowhere near ready to move from personal to fan pages, but I’m hoping to stay current on suggestions for when I am ready.
Thanks! And great blog, btw.
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I had never thought about using Facebook for advertising. I am definitely going to look into it seriously.