Create a facebook event without making embarrassing mistakes.

Creating a facebook event is easy, but it's also easy to make mistakes that are embarrassing and prevent your event from being effectively marketed. Follow these steps to avoid silly mistakes next time you host an event:

1. Decide to create a facebook event. Have you been emailing a flier, or posting an image with the details on your page? Sure, it's a good idea to market your event in multiple ways, but nothing is more embarrassing than ignoring the effectiveness of a facebook event!
2. Get started. Click on "Events" on the left-hand side, then click the "+ Create Event" button in the top right. Now you will be on the "Create Event" page.
3. Make the event Private (temporarily). At the bottom, uncheck "Make this event public". This is very important because you need to keep your event a secret until you've proofread it. 
4. Add a Photo. Use an image that conveys information about your event at a glance. Do NOT use the image of your event flier because nobody will ever be able to see a full size version of that image, so there should be minimal text. You are licensed to use the Zumba logo and this is a great place for it.
   * Do not alter the Zumba logo by changing its color, stretching it in either direction, putting it in front of or behind other images, etc.
5. Enter an Event Name: Put ALL of the important info about your event into the title. When your guests get notifications about the event, they often only see the event title, so this is a quick way to get the info across without forcing them to open the event and search for the details. Examples: 
• ZUMBATHON® 2/26 2-2pm supporting AHA at 123 Fitness in Harrisburg, PA
• FREE Zumba® Toning w/ Pam  Sat Mar 10th 9am at 123 Fitness in Harrisburg, PA
* Refer to http://www.zumba.com/en-US/trademark/ for proper trademark usage. Do not call your event a Zumbathon without first getting approved at http://www.zumba.com/en-US/zumbathon/.
6. Select the Date. Have you ever created an event, invited all your friends and then realized you never changed the date? This is easy to do because facebook defaults the event date field to the current date instead of leaving it blank and reminding you to enter a date if you forgot to do so. If you accidentally invite people to an event on the wrong date, delete the event and create a new one because once people decline your incorrect event, they won't get notified when you correct the date.
7. Set the Start Time AND the End Time.  If you don't specifically set an end time for your event, facebook will, by default, set your end time 3 hours after the start time. So if you are trying to promote a free Zumba class at 9am and you don't set the end time to 10am, then facebook will tell everyone that your event goes from 9-12 and people will decline because they will think you are nuts for inviting them to a 3 hour class. To set the end time, click "Add end time". Before finishing your event, make sure to double check the dates and times!
8. Enter the Location. As you type in the name of the location, facebook will suggest options for you. If you see one that matches your location, you can click on it and the location field will turn light blue. If you choose that option and save the event, you will see the location on a map and it will automatically link to that location's facebook page. Make sure that the page that it links to is the correct one for your event. You don't have to use the suggested places though. In fact, if you have a specific location at that place, put that information here. For example: Crosspoint Church (First Floor)
9. Enter the Address. A common embarrassing mistake is forgetting to tell people what city your event is in. Click "add street address" to see the address fields. Enter the street address, then enter the city, town and zip code. When entering the address, keep in mind that some people will be using their smartphones to map the location, so don't include extra details here that will confuse a GPS such as "Next to the McDonald's". Instead, put that info in the location field or in the event description. 
10. Details. Put as much info about your event as you can here, but put the most essential info at the very top. If your description is long, people will see the first part, then will have to click "read more" to see the rest of it, and many people won't think that one click is worth the effort. You don't want them to miss out on info such as "Cash only!" or "Click this link to register".
11. Save and Proofread. Don't select any guests yet! Making sure "make this event public" is NOT checked, click "Create Event" to save it and review it. Check it on your smartphone. Have a friend look at it too. Click "Edit Event" to make changes, add a guest who can help you proofread, or continue to finish your event.
12. Select Guests. Click the "Select Guests" button and select friends to invite. Don't just share the event on your wall and expect people to invite themselves. They want a personal invitation from you! However, skip the "Add a Personal Message" option because most people won't notice the message in the event invite. Let your event speak for itself. To review the guests you selected, click the "Search By Name" button and choose "Selected". 
13. Admins. (If you don't see this option, then you skipped step 11 - Save and Proofread. Go back and proofread!)  If someone else is helping with the event and you want to give them the ability to update the event details, type their name in the Admins field. (Send them a link to this blog post so they don't ruin all your hard work preventing silly mistakes!)
14. Make it Public. Unless this is a private event, check the box to make it public. Make sure the "Show the guest list" box is checked too. People love to know who else is going to an event they've been invited to.
15. Save. Now that you've selected guests, saving the event will send an invitation to them. Not all guests will receive an email notification from facebook; it depends on their settings. 
16. Share the Event. In the upper right corner of your event, click the options button which looks like a wheel or flower. Click "Share Event" to share this on your wall. To help spread the word, ask others to invite their friends and share the event on their walls too.
17. Dealing with Comments. Facebook recently added a new feature that asks people to write a message when they RSVP, so you may get a lot of wall activity from people declining your event who feel the need to explain why they can't go. Often, they address this reply to the person who invited them, which is sometimes you and sometimes another guest that you don't even know! Just ignore those comments or remove them. Responding to them distracts invited guests from the event information. Instead, create positive activity on the event wall with posts such as "I'm so excited for the launch of my new Zumba Toning class! Any song requests?" or "Tons of raffle prizes. Can't wait to see you all there!" However, if you have new info about the event that you need your guests to see, add a comment AND update the event description to help ensure people notice the new info.

Have a great event!