Museum Store Association

Helpful Tips:

Join MSA on Facebook!
Tips on Getting Started With Social Networking

MSA is excited to announce the launch of the MSA Facebook page! We intend to use this social networking site as a vehicle for our members to stay connected to the Association, each other and the broader world of people interested in supporting cultural institutions and cultural tourism.

If you are already on Facebook, come join MSA as a fan! Just log in to your Facebook account and search for Museum Store Association and then let the exchange of ideas begin.

If you don't have a Facebook account and / or you are unsure about venturing into social networking, then please read the following helpful tips for getting started. Don't be scared – it's easy and fun and you can share as much (or as little) as you like.

What is Social Networking? What is Facebook?

In a nutshell, social networking is a Web-based means of sharing and discussing information with others and often involves the posting of your thoughts, information, images, links, video, etc. Facebook is just one of many online social networking sites that will allow you to connect with other professionals in the cultural commerce and cultural tourism industries, as well as the public.

For more information, read these helpful overviews about social networking:

What is Social Networking?
Social Networking Guide for Beginners
Social Media Basics – 6 Steps to Basic Literacy
Social Media Tools 101 (From Blogs to Wikis)

Why Should I Participate? How Is Facebook Different From ShopTalk?

MSA's Facebook page is another vehicle that cultural commerce professionals can use to connect with each other – and it has the added advantage of helping you reach out to the public and promote your store and / or institution. You can use Facebook to:

Share an inspiring story.
Post a link to a relevant or thought-provoking news story.
Post photos of your store or new merchandise.
Share information about upcoming events at your institution.
Ask a question about an industry topic.
Share your "ah ha" moments from the MSA Conference.

The possibilities are almost endless. And remember – you are in control. You can share as much, or as little, as you want. You can follow Facebook posts every day, once a week or once in a while. It will take you a few minutes to set up an account, and then after that, your level of participation is up to you.

While Facebook is more casual and more immediate than ShopTalk, the same netiquette guidelines will apply. The MSA Facebook page has been set up for constructive, positive exchanges of information – no commercial announcements will be allowed.

How Do I Set up a Facebook Account?

Setting up a Facebook account is as simple as providing an e-mail address and your name. You determine how much detail you want to provide in your profile and how much you want to make public, but the three essential pieces of information you have to provide are: 1) your name; 2) your e-mail address; and 3) your birth date. (Note: Facebook requires all users to provide their real date of birth as both a safety precaution and as a means of preserving the integrity of the site. You will be able to hide this information from your profile if you wish.)

Before setting up a Facebook account, you should decide whether you want to create a personal page (using your personal e-mail), a professional page (using your work e-mail) or whether you want to create a page for your store or business. If your institution already has a Facebook page, you may want to consult with your marketing department first about how best to proceed.

Step 1: Go to www.facebook.com.
Step 2: Sign up as a new user with your full name, e-mail address, password, birthday and select Male or Female. (You can hide your e-mail, birthday and sex in your profile.)
Step 3: Enter the Security Check words you see on the screen.
Step 4: Click on the e-mail confirmation link that will be sent to you.
Step 5: You will then be directed back to Facebook and be asked to accept any friend requests or find friends in Facebook – you can choose to skip this step and search for friends at a later date, or you can find friends immediately.
Step 6: You will be asked to fill out your profile with your education and work history – again, you can choose to skip this step or provide details, but this information is not required. The information will help you find friends on Facebook.
Step 7: You will be asked to join a network (a region) which will also help you find friends – but you can choose to skip this step or provide details, it's up to you.

You now have an account on Facebook! Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with Facebook – but don't expect to learn it all at once. If you want to review the Facebook Getting Started Guide, click on the Help link at the bottom of the Facebook page for more information. If you are concerned about your privacy, go to the Facebook Settings link and manage your account.

What Can I Do on Facebook?

Update Your Profile: Here is where you can add personal details and upload a photo – if you want. You don't have to post a photo, and it doesn't have to be a picture of you. Upload a photo of your favorite pet, your store, your favorite product, your favorite piece of artwork, etc.

Become a Fan of MSA and Find Friends: Use the search bar to look up Museum Store Association and become a fan by clicking on the Become a Fan link by the MSA name. Use the Friend Finder to search for colleagues, other institutions, or anyone you want to "friend" or "fan."

Post an Update to Your Page: You can let friends know what you're doing or what you're thinking about by typing a short sentence into the "What's on your mind?" field. This information will get posted to your "Wall" and be visible to your friends.

Comment on the MSA Page: If you want to share a thought with other MSA fans, go to the MSA Facebook page and write something on the MSA Wall. You can also comment on an item that has already been posted to the MSA page or join a discussion.

Post Photos to Your Page: Upload photos of your store or institution for friends to view. You can organize photos into albums.

Post a Link to an Interesting Story: Found an interesting news article that relates to cultural commerce? You can post the link and your comments to either your own Wall or the MSA Wall. Just click on the "Write something ..." or "What's on your mind?" box and then choose the Link icon.

More Questions?

Still have questions or concerns? Contact Associate Editor Kathy Cisar for more information.