Q&A sessions are a great way for community leaders, politicians, and other influential people to interact with their constituents and fans, answer questions, and engage in conversations with the community. In today’s high-tech age, Q&A sessions have moved online, allowing stakeholders to participate from anywhere.

Facebook Q&A sessions provide a great space for personal interaction and can serve as a digital town hall and bulletin board. If your Neighborhood Council is considering hosting a Facebook Q&A with a board member, City Councilmember, or other community leader, consider the following tips for a successful event.

To host a Facebook Q&A from your NC’s Facebook page, first make sure that the “Allow replies to comments on my page” option, under your page Settings, is on. This will allow you and others to reply to comments made on your posts and engage in conversation.

  1. Choose a date and time for your Q&A. As with any meeting, choose a time that should work well for as many people as possible.
  2. Promote the Q&A several days to several weeks ahead of time to ensure a robust audience. You can do this through a Facebook event and your other social media accounts. Don’t be afraid to post several reminders as the event approaches. Get people excited!
  3. To start a Q&A, just click the Q&A icon in the share menu at the top of your Timeline and then click “Start a Q&A” from the drop down menu.
  4. At the event’s start time, post an initial question, prompt, or image to get the conversation started and let people know you’re ready to engage.
  5. Watch the questions begin rolling in! Take the time to read questions carefully and provide thoughtful, individualized answers.

If you have more questions about hosting a Facebook Q&A, contact TUXteam@empowerla.org or read Facebook’s Q&A tips here.

Have you hosted a Facebook Q&A? Are you planning an upcoming event? Let us know about your experience and your  best practices!