Facebook page development

[BG and Gavin]

I work as a Learning Specialist at my community college in a program that supports students with moderate to severe learning disabilities, mental health issues or developmental disabilities that would otherwise prevent them from furthering their education and enjoying “the college experience.”  The students are fully integrated in the classrooms with support and as part of their learning experience, are assigned a co-op placement that reflects their area of study.  One of the students I am working with is in the digital photography program.  As part of her co-op experience she will be working with Gavin (and me) as his “official photographer” during our therapy visits.  In addition she will be developing and administering a “Gavin the Therapy Dog Facebook Page.”

Here is what I have thought of:

• I have secured permission for her to attend at the places we visit and she will sign an oath of confidentiality for the agencies and has been briefed on expectations during visits

• We need to develop a photo release for those who wish to participate (both to display their photos on FB and for them to become part of my student’s personal portfolio)

• We are offering photo prints of clients with Gavin for those who would like them

• The FB page needs to contain info about therapy dogs in general and TDI in particular

Here is what I need help with:

• I want her to be able to administer the FB page, but I need ultimate control.  How do I do that?

• Any tips from those of you who have your own FB page for your photography

My student is 18 so I am sure she is 10 times more FB savvy than I, however I want to be prepared.  One thing I do have on her is a crazy doodle army behind me.  I am hoping that once we take things live, my DK pals will light the page up (with likes) and delight my student :)  Thanks in advance for any feedback you can offer me.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think it's really awesome that you're doing this, BG.  Our Tim attended a college program that sounds really similar, and it was a wonderful experience.  I administer a FB page for a non-profit and I'm set up as the administrator with others designated as editors.  This means I have the ultimate control over the page but there are a few others who can add content which is important when it comes to adding content...like your cover picture or profile.  You probably already have done this, but I'd be sure TDI is on board.  I found that it's important to decide what your goal is for the Facebook page.  We hadn't done that initially with the Non-Profit, and without specific expectations it's difficult to decide how effective you are.  Good luck and I can't wait to "like" your page.

[BG and Gavin]

Oh thanks Jane.  I wish everyone could be as fulfilled in a job as I am :)  Having a goal gives me food for thought.  Great suggestion.  As far as bringing TDI on board, what would you suggest I do for that?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I would just notify your local TDI contact so they have a "heads up".  I'm guessing they'll like the idea, but because it's social media and your Therapy Work is on their behalf they might like to be brought into the loop.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Actually here's a link to the National TDI FB page...you could just sent a PM.  There are separate Chapter pages too, so your local group may have their own page.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Here it is...https://www.facebook.com/TherapyDogsInternational

[BG and Gavin]

Thank you Jane!

[Tina]

That's awesome you're doing this! If you need ultimate control you would need to create the fb page under your own account, then you can provide her administrative access to the page to post content.

Being the creater of the page allows you to set parameters like who can post, who can view, and how posts are approved.

Hope that helps! Feel free to ask if you have questions.

[BG and Gavin]

Yes it does help. Thank you Tina!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

 Our motorcycle group has a fb page and I was made an 'administrator' so that I could change the photos, the header, acknowledge members.  But I know the person who created the page for our group has ultimate control.  I am NOT fb savvy at all and his making me an administrator is kind of dumb, but . . . .   It does sound like the same situation you want to create.  If you don't get an answer from the knowledgeable people here, I can ask for the answer and parrot it back to you.

PS, I think this is such a fabulous and cool idea and very creative of you.  Best of luck.

[BG and Gavin]

Thanks for your vote of confidence Nancy. I am sure you are a fine admin of your mc group and I can learn from you.

[Richard Crowe]

I don't know if this will help or not but, it seems that Facebook is very fussy about the sizes and cropping of the photos entered.  Often photos will look like this, if they are no cropped and/or sized correctly.

However when cropped or sized correctly, they can look like this...

or this

Here is a guide to Facebook image sizing/cropping

http://havecamerawilltravel.com/photographer/images-photos-facebook...

[Joyce]

thanks for posting this FB image sizing link.  I typically crop photos before posting, but always good to know what their guidelines are.