Public vs Private page/groups

 As usual .. I'm frustrated.   Was looking for some info on an event and .... realized a 'problem.'   It doesn't exist!  Well it does, but...... not everyone looks at this from my perspective.  Here's what I mean.

On FB, there are basically Two distinct ways to disseminate info ...  well, way more I guess but this is about the 'basics' here.  

FB Page.  This is a public facing page for a Business, Group or Person (ex celebrity).   This is 100% viewable by the entire world.  In todays world... .every business or group should have one, whether you like or dislike FB.  Just a fact.  Allows you to control the info available to billions for users.

FB Group.  This is VERY different from the page and where some folks get 'confused'.  Many Groups are 'public' but to me, that goes against the grain to me.  Most should be Private so everything discussed is ONLY visible to those in the group.  Now, for some public companies.... with say products, etc. being discussed,  might make sense.  Problem is ... when it's public comments are put out to everyone's newsfeeds.  Also, some folks may not want their discussions public.  The event's may be private and not be intended to be open to the public.   So, in a perfect world ... make them private.  You can even go one extra step and make them hidden, but that rarely makes sense, especially for businesses for groups....  you WANT people to be able to locate them usually. The biggest thing about a Group is for discussions!  On pages, you have Posts and Comments.  Similar on a group, but folks can truly communicate more effectively .. and .. if having a bitch session, it can be kept from Public viewing.

Now, here's one of the main benefits to doing BOTH.  Lets use an Event as an example.  If you link the page and group together (its an option available within FB), the best practices method would be create the Event on the FB page, and it can then be shared off to the group associated.  It can also be share off to other groups or pages or profiles.  That way a SINGLE event can be utilized instead of creating multiple events , one for each page or group or whatever.  Now, I know you're thinking "well .. duh" ... but ...  I'm writing this for a reason. It's RARELY done correctly like this!   I just stumbled across a situation not 30 minutes ago hence .. this post.   There is a right way and a wrong way.   Create it on the Page, share it to the Group(s).  Simple.  Done.    

Now, in a perfect world folks will also have a Public Facing web page.   You can interrelate it to FB a lil bit, but the point is not everyone used FB.   Credible businesses have external web pages that they can control ALL content on it.  Allows a lot more flexibility.   And, these pages can be 'free' , 100% if necessary.  Some groups or associations may not have the funds.  Now, you have to deal with some level of advertising most likely (gotta pay for it somehow?), but it's an option.  Or pony up a few bucks for a domain name and a virtual server to host the site.   Best part is you have a professional email that goes with that too with the domain name.

So, the takeaway here?   Make a PUBLIC FB Page and a Private FB group for your group/association/event/business whatever.  Not JUST a Private FB Group.   ..... js