Interview – Facebook Fan Page Administrator

｜Photo: The Wondrous Temple Expedition ｜

It is the Internet era, and people are able to get the information they want at any time, any place, through the Internet. Many businesses, government offices, schools, or tourist attractions use Facebook fan pages to publish information, and they may even have live interactions with customers! Fude Temple on Dianzai Street started its fan page in 2016 to extend its reach on the Internet. We interviewed the fan page administrator to see how he manages the fan page and what he daily work looks like.

• Interviewee: Cao Yulian, Fan Page Administrator
• Years working at the temple: 6 months
• Interviewers: Debbie, Amber O.
• Transcription: Debbie
• Date: 2019.01.20｜Location: Office, Fude Temple on Dianzai Street

Interview Log

Q： Can you share your daily work as the temple’s Facebook fan page administrator with us? Do you like this job?

A：My primary duty is to reply messages. I have to reply to people’s comments on our posts and private messages through Messenger. As long as someone asks a question, I must answer it. I am new to the job, and I like the challenge it brings.

Q:We saw quite a lot of postings on the temple’s fan page, how do you decide what gets posted? Do you need to go through the commissioner or the chairperson of the foundation before posting?

A：I will first discuss with the accountant about what I have in mind. Then I will show them what it looks like with the article and pictures. If there is a need for change anything, then I would do a second edit. After I get the thumbs-up from everyone, I will publish the post.

Q:There are some live videos about activities that took place at the temple on the fan page. Do you have to be here for all the temple’s activities? What do you do?

A：I’m responsible for live streaming all the activities that happen at the temple. However, if it gets busy with handing out charitable goods or other popular activities, then I would help them out, and the live streaming would not be possible.

Q：Were there any challenges for you as the temple’s Facebook fan page administrator? How did you overcome them?

A I think the way posts are written is something that I had to learn. I couldn’t write posts the way that I’m accustomed to or use lots of flashy pictures and videos because our fan page audience is mostly seniors. When I write a post, I would need to write it in a tone that’s suitable for seniors. Same goes for pictures because they prefer pictures that are simple and straight to the point.

Q: If someone leaves a comment on the fan page that’s a bit derogatory in nature, how do you deal with it?

A： We try to communicate sensibly with our fans. There are always two sides to an issue, and we take criticisms from both sides. Sometimes, criticism isn’t a bad thing because we may receive more attention that wasn’t intended at first place.

Q：Besides the Facebook fan page, does the temple have any other promotional plans for the temple in the future? Have you thought about building a website for the temple so more people may learn about it?

A：We have been thinking about building a website for the temple for quite some time. The chairperson of the foundation has invited TV stations to make videos about the temple. Some Facebook functions did not meet our needs, so our current goal is to focus on the fan page and try to increase our follower base because if we build a website, we also need enough people to view it.

Q：Do you have any advices for people who may want to apply for this job as the temple’s Facebook fan page administrator?

AAs long as you are dedicated, willing to learn and listen, and easy to work with, you are able to take this job. You must not get angry at negative comments left by others, and you must maintain your sensibility when communicating and taking criticism as the fan page administrator.I have only started this job quite recently, so if I come across questions that are difficult to answer, I would ask the accounting lady for advice before replying.

Q：Do you have a scheduled time to go on line and manage the page?

AI have my phone with me at all times, so whenever I’m free, I’d check for postings on the fan page and reply if I need to. I am the administrator of the fan page. The accountant and the chairperson of the foundation have administrative access as well. We are constantly monitoring and managing the fan page.

Interview Afterthoughts

This interview was easier than I had expected because the fan page administrator was closer to our age. I was expecting someone much older in age, but he turned out to be relatively young. I think because he is young and new to the job, so he has to get confirmation from the accountant before posting or replying on the fan page. He does not own the temple’s Facebook account, so the tone of posts and replies must sound more formal.

Before the interview, I was going to ask the administrator who taught him how to use Facebook if he turned out to be an older person. After meeting him in person, my concern dissipated. He turned out to be a young man, but due to the fact that he was young, he needed a lot of assistance from others at the temple. Before he makes any postings or replies, he would double-check with other senior members of the temple management. He told us that the fan page still gets rude comments every now and then, and he would first ask for advice from the management. He tried to answer them sensibly to avoid senseless bickering.

Source Text: The Wondrous Temple Expedition, Fude Temple on Dianzai Street Fan Page Administrator │
Photos: The Wondrous Temple Expedition