How to Create a Facebook Event: Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2023)

Look, I get it. You're trying to set up that birthday party or maybe a business webinar, and suddenly you're scratching your head wondering how do you create an event on Facebook properly. Been there! Last month I messed up my friend's surprise party because I didn't uncheck the "public" option. Total disaster when she saw the notification. Let's make sure that doesn't happen to you.

Why You Should Care About Facebook Events

Honestly? Because everyone's checking Facebook anyway. Posting an event there beats group texts or email chains where half the people miss updates. But don't just take my word for it - check these numbers:

Platform Feature	User Reach	RSVP Conversion Rate
Facebook Events	1.8 billion+ active users	Up to 40% higher than email
Email Invitations	Limited to your contact list	Avg. 15-25% open rate
Third-Party Apps (e.g., Eventbrite)	Requires extra sign-ups	Lower for free events

Step-by-Step: Creating Your Facebook Event

I'll walk you through both desktop and mobile because let's be real - most of us do this on our phones while waiting for coffee.

On Desktop (Facebook Website)

Remember when Facebook had that left sidebar? Yeah, they moved things. Here's where to actually find the button now:

Click "Create" on the blue top bar (next to your profile picture)
Select "Event" from the dropdown
Fill out the basics:
- Event name: Make it clear, not clever ("Mike's 30th Bash" > "Shindig!")
- Location: Physical address or "Online Event"
- Date/Time: Triple-check this! I've shown up a week early before

Pro Tip: Always add a buffer time if you're hosting at home. Nobody wants 50 people arriving while you're still vacuuming.

On Mobile (iPhone/Android App)

It's hidden deeper than my willpower near donuts:

Tap the three-line menu (bottom right on iOS, top right on Android)
Scroll to "Events" under "See More"
Hit "Create Event" at the bottom
Switch between Online, In-Person, or Hybrid right at the top

Annoying quirk: The app sometimes defaults to your current location even for online events. Delete that address manually!

Secret Settings Most People Miss

This is where folks mess up. Facebook buries the important stuff under vague menus.

Setting	Where to Find It	Why It Matters
Privacy Level	Under "Visibility" during setup	Public = anyone can see Private = only invitees
Co-Hosts	"Edit" > "Co-Hosts" after creation	Add helpers (max 50) They can edit details!
Cover Photo Size	Upload custom image	1920x1080px works best Smaller = blurry mess
Ticket Links	"Edit" > "Add Ticket Link"	Link to Eventbrite/Stripe Shows "Get Tickets" button

Watch Out: That "Boost Event" button they shove in your face? Costs $5-$50/day. Skip unless you're selling tickets. Organic reach still works for local gatherings.

Getting People to Actually Show Up

Creating the event is half the battle. Here's what moves the needle based on my community theater group's 85% attendance rate:

Automated Reminders: Facebook sends these 24hrs before if you enable notifications (do it!)
Post Updates Weekly: Share behind-the-scenes photos or menu previews
Tag Co-Hosts: Their friends see the event too
Create a Hashtag: Sounds cheesy but helps track social buzz

My failed salsa class learned this hard truth: No reminders + no updates = 60% no-shows. Ouch.

Fixing Common Facebook Event Headaches

Problem: "I can't invite friends!"

Solution: You probably set it to "Public". Only private events allow selective invites. Either recreate it or ask guests to manually search for it.

Problem: "The time zone is wrong!"

Solution: Facebook uses YOUR current device timezone. If traveling:

Create event BEFORE your trip
Or use desktop and manually select timezone

Problem: "People keep asking questions already answered!"

Solution: Pin a comment with key info (parking, dress code). Go to the event page > question comment > three dots > "Pin to Top".

FAQs: What Real People Actually Ask

After running 20+ events, here's what always comes up:

Question	Short Answer	Details
Can I change the event date later?	Yes	Edit event > change date/time Guests get automatic notifications
Is there a guest limit?	No official limit	But over 5,000 attendees slows down loading
Do deleted events disappear?	From feeds, yes	But might linger in calendars for 24hrs
Can I charge admission?	Through third-parties only	Add Eventbrite/Ticketmaster links

Should You Use Facebook Events or Alternatives?

Honest take? For casual/local stuff, nothing beats Facebook's convenience. But for paid professional events? Consider:

Eventbrite: Better ticketing ($0.79 + 3.5%/ticket)
Meetup: Interest-based audiences ($15-$30/month)
Google Calendar Invites: For small team meetings

Last month my bakery pop-up used both Facebook (free promotion) and Eventbrite (paid tickets). Facebook brought 70% of attendees but processed zero payments. Choose wisely.

Advanced Tactics for Businesses

If you're promoting a brand, two features most businesses overlook:

Post-Event Analytics

After your event ends:

Go to your Page > "Events"
Click "Past Events"
See exact reach and engagement stats

Goldmine for planning future events!

UGC Content Recycling

When people post photos during your event:

Ask permission to share ("Tag us for reposts!")
Re-share to your Page with credit
Creates authentic promo for next time

Final Reality Check

Look, creating the event is the easy part. The magic happens in:

Writing a compelling description (answer "What's in it for me?")
Choosing eye-catching visuals (no blurry sunset stock photos)
Following up consistently (schedule reminder posts!)

Once you've mastered how do you create an event on Facebook, try experimenting:

Create "Interested" vs "Going" exclusive content
Run polls about event details (food choices, session topics)
Share live videos before the event

Still stuck? Search Facebook Help Center for "how do I create an event on facebook mobile" - their official guides are surprisingly decent. Or just come back here. I update this guide every time Facebook changes their layout (which is constantly... sigh).