Social Media for Small Congregations: Facebook

According to the Pew Research Center, "Today around seven-in-ten Americans use social media to connect with one another, engage with news content, share information and entertain themselves." For users of almost all ages, Facebook remains the most popular platform. Now more than ever, it’s important for small congregations to focus on their online presence. For small congregations, getting the most out of Facebook should be a priority.

Here’s a brief summary of what we covered:

The three simple rules for social media were

  • Pick one platform
  • Decide why you’re there
  • Know your audience

For a variety of reasons, Facebook is probably the best platform for small congregations.

Knowing your audience means knowing your own demographics (age, education level, etc.).

Use the 1 in 5 rule: have only one promotional post (like inviting people to your Sunday morning service) for every four posts.

The best time to post is late morning on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday (which means that Friday is the best day to promote your Sunday services).

Use UUA and UU-related Facebook pages as a resource for your posts.

Originally presented October 2021

About the Authors

Phillip Lund

Phillip Lund has almost twenty years experience serving congregations in the areas of faith formation and spiritual growth, first as a religious educator in Bloomington, Indiana, New York City, and Chicago, Illinois, and most recently as a congregational life consultant working for the MidAmerica...

MidAmerica Region of the UUA

For more information, see the UUA.org page about the MidAmerica Region.

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