Facebook 101:
An Introduction Presented to the
Office of Student Affairs
Presented by:
Bridget Schumacher
Univ. at Buffalo Libraries
December 12, 2008

\"Facebook is a social
utility that connects
you with the people
around you\".

It's not just a fad!
• More than 130 MILLION active
users!
• 4th most trafficked website in the
world
• Over 55,000 regional, work-related,
high school, and collegiate networks

Facebook Profile

Privacy and Security

Facebook Groups
• Open or closed
• Admin(s) can:
– Send messages to
members
– Invite members to
events

Anatomy of a
Facebook Group
Basic Features
• Basic Info
• Contact Info
• Recent News
• Members
• Discussion Board
• The Wall
• Photos
• Posted Items
• Videos
• Related Groups
• Related Events

Facebook Pages
•Visible to audience
outside of Facebook
•Send updates to Fans
•Add applications to
enhance Page

Anatomy of a
Facebook Page
Basic Features
• Information
• Notes
• Discussion Board
• Photos
• Fans

Anatomy of a
Facebook Page
Other Basic
Features
• Video
• The Wall

Facebook Applications
More than 95% of FB members have used
at least one application built on Facebook
platform

Custom Catalog Application
My HTML

Applications Useful for
Student Affairs
• Notes
• FBML
• Del.icio.us
• MyFlickr
• Slideshare
• My Google Calendar
• BISON Catalog ☺

Page
Insights

Groups vs Pages

Why have a Facebook
presence when you already
have a website?

Importing Blog entries from UB
Libraries homepage
Buried Link

Notes Application

Student Comments

Marketing Ideas
• Listservs
• Student Associations
• Advertisements
• Signage/Flyers
• Facebook Badge
• Word of Mouth
• Facebook Ads

Pros
• Free marketing and • Collaboration
outreach made easy
• Outreach to • Conversations
international between users
community
• Consolidation of
• Outreach to key website areas
prospective students;
high school students

Facebook & Int’l Markets
Facebook took over the global lead in
social networking sites in April 2008
Facebook had made \"an effort to become
more culturally relevant in markets
outside the US\"
It's introduction to natural language
interfaces in several markets has helped
propel the site to 153% growth during the
past year
-comSCORE, August 2008

Cons
• Find or become the • Monitor and
person with the skills constantly update the
to create custom page
application
• Prepare and plan;
• Network and stay must have everything
updated with ready before you
Facebook changes publish the page
• Create a marketing
campaign!

Creating Pages and Groups
http://www.facebook.com

Questions?
Bridget Schumacher
bss4@buffalo.edu