Creating a Campaign Facebook Account
To create a Facebook account for your campaign, you should set up both a personal Facebook account and a Facebook Page that represents your campaign.
By setting up a Facebook Page, you can run ads, analyze page metrics, and engage with voters in a professional manner separate from your personal Facebook activity.
Follow these steps
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Go to Facebook.com.
Click Create New Account.
Enter your name, email or phone number, password, birthday, and gender.
Click Sign Up.
Confirm your email or phone number via a code sent by Facebook.
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Once you have a personal account, you can create a dedicated page for your campaign:
Navigate to Facebook Pages:
Go to Facebook Pages.
Choose Page Type:
Select Business or Brand.
Click Get Started.
Enter Page Information:
Page Name: Use your full name followed by your office or campaign goal (e.g., "Jane Doe for City Council" or "John Smith 2024").
Category: Choose Politician, Political Organization, or another relevant category.
Add Details:
Profile Picture: Upload a high-quality headshot or campaign logo.
Cover Photo: Add a professional cover image that conveys your message or shows community involvement.
Complete the Page Setup:
Fill out the About section, including your campaign’s mission statement, biography, and contact information.
Add your website URL and other social media links.
Customize the Page:
Use the Settings to manage roles (e.g., if you have campaign staff to manage the page).
Configure Page Transparency to disclose any sponsorships or affiliations.
Publish Content:
Start posting content related to your campaign, such as events, policy positions, and community activities.
Pin an introductory post to the top of your Page, explaining who you are, what office you’re running for, and your campaign goals.
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Verification adds credibility to your campaign page:
Go to Settings > General.
Click Page Verification and follow the instructions to get verified by providing official documents or a phone number.
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If your campaign has an Instagram account, you can link it to your Facebook Page under Settings > Instagram to share posts across platforms.
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Regularly update your page with posts, photos, and videos that engage your community.
Utilize Facebook Ads to reach a broader audience.
Running digital ads on Facebook is a great way to connect with the people who matter most to your campaign.
With powerful targeting options, you can reach voters based on their location, interests, and demographics, making sure your message hits the mark.
It’s also budget-friendly, so you can get more out of your campaign dollars compared to traditional media. Plus, Facebook’s massive audience means you can engage with a diverse range of constituents and even interact directly through comments and shares.
You’ll also get access to real-time insights, helping you fine-tune your strategy as you go. Facebook ads make it easier to spread your message and build support!
Setting up ads on Facebook as a political candidate requires going through a few additional verification steps to comply with Facebook's policies for political advertising.
Note: Facebook’s political ad policies can vary by region and may be updated. Check Facebook’s Advertising Policies and Help Center for the latest information on political ad requirements.
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Ensure Compliance:
Make sure your Facebook Page is up-to-date, with accurate information.
Be familiar with Facebook's Ad Policies for political content. Political ads must include a "Paid for by" disclaimer.
Create a Facebook Page (if you don't have one):
You’ll need a Facebook Page for your campaign to run ads. If you don’t have one, go to Facebook Pages to create one.
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Access Facebook Ads Manager:
Go to Facebook Ads Manager or click the "Ads Manager" option in your Facebook profile menu.
Create or Choose an Ad Account:
If you don’t have an Ad Account, create one by selecting “Create” in the Ads Manager.
Link Your Facebook Page to the Ad Account:
Ensure the correct Facebook Page for your campaign is linked to your Ad Account.
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Verify Your Identity:
Go to Facebook’s Identity Verification and submit the required documents, such as a government-issued ID, and provide a physical address.
Enable 2-Factor Authentication:
To run political ads, you’ll need to enable two-factor authentication on your Facebook account. Go to “Settings & Privacy,” then “Security and Login” to turn on two-factor authentication.
Submit Authorization for the Page:
Go to your Facebook Page and look for "Page Transparency" or visit the "Settings" and click “Authorize Your Page to Run Political Ads.”
Submit additional information, such as a U.S. address, and your organization’s contact details.
Set up a “Paid for by” disclaimer. This will display who is paying for the ad and will be visible to users.
Wait for Approval:
The approval process can take a few days. Facebook will mail a physical verification code to your address to complete the process.
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Go to Ads Manager and click Create.
Choose an Objective:
Select a campaign objective that aligns with your goals, such as "Reach," "Brand Awareness," or "Engagement."
Set Up the Ad Set:
Choose your audience (demographics, interests, and location).
Set the budget and schedule for your ads.
Choose ad placements (Facebook, Instagram, Messenger).
Create Your Ad:
Select a format (Image, Video, Slideshow, or Carousel).
Add the creative content, such as images or videos, text, and the “Paid for by” disclaimer.
Review and Submit:
Double-check your ad details and disclaimer. Submit the ad for review. Facebook reviews political ads more thoroughly, so this can take additional time.
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Manager dashboard to track the performance of your ads and make adjustments as necessary.