HOW TO: Organize a Party Via Facebook

August 16, 2011

Guide to Facebook for Parties

Facebook…we love it, we hate it, sometimes both at the same time. When it comes to publicizing your event – be it birthday, retirement, baby shower, or wedding – you’ll have to consider whether or not to make a Facebook Event for it. Here’s your guide to Facebook for parties.

Privacy Setting

There are several kinds of privacy settings for Facebook events, mainly public vs. private. Public events will show up to your guests and their friends will see their RSVP status. Private events, on the other hand, will not show up in searches or news feeds for anyone not invited to the party. There is also the issue of whether to allow friends to invite their friends as well.

While public events with friends allowed to invite their friends work for a baby shower or retirement party, an intimate family event or bachelorette party should be kept private and guests only invited by the admins of the event.

A third alternative is to send messages via Facebook or straight-up emails to the invited guests to avoid the limitations of Facebook entirely.

Online RSVP

For casual parties, allowing guests to RSVP via Facebook’s feature is fine. However, larger events or events providing food may want a more definite headcount and not everyone holds true to their Facebook RSVP.

State how guests should RSVP outside of Facebook right up front in the event’s description, whether it’s by Facebook message, email, or phone.

Rules of Etiquette

Lastly, you’ll want to keep proper etiquette in mind. None of us like to abide by rules, but the rules were created for a reason and most still hold true.

While email can be considered a faster way to get the message around, announcing major life changes via a Facebook event is still too casual and excludes friends and family that may not be on social media sites yet.

For a wedding or event of equal significance, an invitation through the post is the proper way to invite your guests. A Facebook event invitation to a wedding is considered taboo, even with the rising cost of postage and how long it might take to reach them.

The same rules of etiquette hold true for a divorce or funeral – tell them in person or at least over the phone. Online is simply too impersonal and broad for emotionally-charged changes.

Once you take these guidelines and tips into consideration, it’s time to decide whether a Facebook event invitation is right for your party. Once you’ve made up your mind, relax! See more helpful event-planning tips at Windy City Novelties.