Anyone can create an event on Facebook for free. Your event can be published as an invite-only event (private) or as an event that’s open to anyone (public).
Create a Private Event
Only invited guests can see a private event page. You can include the following basic pieces of information on a private, invite-only Facebook event page:
A photo or video (from Facebook’s library of themes or your own uploaded file).The name of the event.The location of the event.A description of the event.The date and time that the event will take place.An option to create a schedule for the event.The names of any co-hosts of the event.The option to allow guests to invite their friends.The option to allow invitees to view the guest list.
Set Up a Public Event
Anyone on Facebook can see and search for a public event. Public events are ideal for attracting a large audience to a big event, such as a local concert, festival, or fair. For public events, you can provide all the information listed above for private events and more, including:
Select a category so that people browsing public events can find it.Set a recurring frequency if it’s a recurring event.Provide extra details.List admission guidelines.Control who can post on the event page.
When it comes time to invite people to your event, you can invite friends, members of a group, or page followers. A public Facebook event can spread quickly, potentially reaching many people in a short time. If the event is public and someone RSVPs that they are attending, that information shows up on that person’s newsfeed, where their friends can see it. If the event is public, the attendee’s friends can decide if they want to attend, too. As the date of the event approaches, a reminder pops up on attendees’ home pages. You set up a public event in the same way as a private event, but only up to a certain point. Choose Public from the privacy menu on the left side. The setup screen shows a section where you enter additional information. You can choose an event category, enter keywords, and indicate whether it offers free admission or is kid-friendly. After you add the necessary information for all the fields, select the Create Event button, which takes you to the public event’s new Facebook page.
Facebook Event Limitations
Facebook sets a 500-invite limit to avoid reports of spamming. If you send invites to a large number of people who don’t respond, Facebook reserves the right to limit the number of people you can invite to your event.
Promote Your Facebook Event
After you schedule your event page and populate it with interesting information, promote the event to increase attendance. You can do this in several ways:
If the event is public, share the event on your newsfeed or in groups you belong to, if the group allows it. Create a Facebook ad for the event. Facebook ad rates are low, and you can target a specific audience. If you have a co-host for the event, ask that person to share the event. As you approach the event’s date, share photos, videos, stories, and updates on the event page to generate interest. Use your mobile device to do a Facebook live stream from the event preparations or the event. Whether the event is private or public, invite your Facebook friends or people you know from your groups or business page. If they aren’t on Facebook, you can invite them by email or text address.
