'Are you on Facebook?' a question that is becoming as common as being asked for your phone number. Currently, there are 500+ million are actively using Facebook. These users of all shapes, sizes and ages, and they live in practically every county across the globe. This makes Facebook a prime medium of communication, marketing and promotion. Moreover, you can sign up for a Facebook account for free. Therefore, by adopting Facebook as a communication and marketing medium, you will be able to talk to millions including past and future attendee for free.

This makes Facebook a perfect medium to promote events. In fact, by using Facebook as one of your communication mediums, you will be able to reach audiences living in Brazil easily despite running the event from India.

There are two ways of promoting your event via Facebook.
1. Event Page
2. Fan Page

The difference between a Facebook Event Page and a Facebook Fan Page is like the difference between a short sprint and a marathon runner. Both are excellent but help you achieve different goals.

Event Page
The Facebook Event Page is the short sprint runner. By using this app, you can promote your event quickly. Here you can create a page with an attractive image, relevant image and a link to your website or a registration page. You will be able to send out e-invites to everyone on your list. You can also increase your event's exposure by making it a public event i.e. anyone searching this type of event will be able to locate you easily.

Creating an Event Page on Facebook takes 3 simple steps

Step 1:	Enter all relevant information such the event name, date, venue, timing etc. on the 'Create an Event' page. You can also decide your audience and reach by clicking on either Private* or Public Event**. * A Private Event is by invitation only i.e. only people invited will be able to view the event description, wall, or photos. ** A Public Event can be viewed by anyone using Facebook and they can even add themselves to the guest list without an invite.
Step 2:	Enhance design with photos, videos and links.
Step 3:	Last but not least, invite guests to your event by clicking on the "Invite People to Come" button beneath the event photo and selecting guests from your friends list. Once you have compiled your guest list, click the "Send Invitation Emails" button; enter your event information - event name, date, time, venue, description etc. and complete the process.

Fan Page
The Facebook Fan Page is the marathon runner. It is more long term. This is a better way of promoting when dealing with recurring events. You set up a fan page, encourage people to join, stay in touch with them year round and inform them when the next event is happening. This is a great way of gaining feedback and ensuring repeat attendees for future events.

Creating a Fan Page on Facebook takes 4 steps

Step 1:	Create a Page Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php and select the category for your fan page type - Local, Brand, Product or Organization or Artist, Band or Public Figure etc. Depending on what option you choose, additional categories will appear in a drop-down. Choose the most relevant category. For example, if you are organizing a concert, choose to create "Artist, Band or Public Figure" fan page. Enter a page name. For example, if you are organizing a concert, you can create a Fan Page using the artist/band name. *** Confirm that you have the authority to create the page. **** Click "Create Page." *** You require a Facebook account to create a fan page. If you don't have one you will need to sign up for a Facebook account. **** To create a fan page, you to be an official representative of the business, organization, entity or person that is subject of the Facebook page and have the necessary rights to create and maintain the Page.
Step 2:	Add relevant, updated and interesting content to convert visitors into fans.
Step 3:	Enhance the page appeal by adding photos, videos, links and applications.
Step 4:	Make your page live by clicking on the "Publish this Page" button. To summarize, you can promote your event on a medium that a large portion of your audience uses for free by creating an Event Page or a Fan Page on Facebook. An Event Page will allow you to promote your event easily and instantly while a Fan Page will allow you to develop and maintain long-term lines of communication.