Facebook's Timeline for Fan Pages: How to Make the Most of the New Features
- ARTICLES |
Oops! Facebook did it again. Just when it seemed like you'd finally gotten a handle on Facebook marketing, they are making more, radical changes that you can't afford to overlook. Just like the recent change to personal profiles, on March 30th, Facebook will be transforming all fan pages, or business pages to the new timeline layout.
It's not just a visual change in the layout of the pages, there are several changes in functionality as well that you want to be aware of and prepared to deal with whether you handle the social media marketing and management for your brand, or you have a someone else handling it for you.
This is not going to be a 'how to' article designed to walk you through making the changes to your timeline. What I'm going to cover here is how you can step up your social media marketing game a bit and take advantage of the cool new features that the Facebook Timeline for fan pages has to offer. So let's dive right in.
The new timeline layout almost forces brands to figure out how to best tell their story in a visual way and chronologically. Gone are the default landing tabs and iFrames. Now everyone who visits your fan page will land on your timeline.
The cover image
You can post a large image that will take up the full width of the page. You can keep this image as static, or change it as often as you like. Facebook has changed its rules with regard to pages, so you would do well to visit the new pages guidelines and get familiar with all of the changes.
Cover images cannot include price information, contact information, any reference to Facebook actions such as, "Like," and no calls to action.
Profile image
Facebook recommends that you use your brand logo for your profile image, as it will represent your page across Facebook.
Milestones
If you consider the metaphor of the timeline, a milestone marks a significant event in the history of your company or brand. You can upload a photo, and give the post a past date and it will appear in its chronological place on the timeline.
Admin panel
Once you have switched to the new timeline layout, you will see the, 'Admin panel' button on the upper right portion of your screen just below the cover image.
You'll see notifications, messages, new likes, insights and page tips. You can easily hide the admin panel when you are not using it.
Once you've scrolled below the cover image, you'll see floating navigation bar that allows visitors to click on, Timeline, Now, and Highlights to quickly find content they want to view on your page.
App thumbnails
Just below the cover image on the right side of the screen there is a space for four app thumbnail images. Photos appear first and then you can order the other images as you choose. You can link these to a special landing page to highlight your products and service.
Don't get overwhelmed with the upcoming changes to your fan page. Set goals for what you want to accomplish, create a posting calendar so that you can plan your posts. Part of the new functionality is the ability to pin and unpin posts to the top of the timeline to give them special attention. Pinned posts can be moved at any time, and they will remain featured for seven days.
To answer all of your pressing questions about the changes to your Facebook fan page, visit the official Facebook fan page help center: facebook.com/about/pages.
Social media marketing is a great way to engage with your audience, generate traffic to your website and build your brand. For more tips and strategies for growing your online business, visit http://mcreasite.com/blog today.
It's not just a visual change in the layout of the pages, there are several changes in functionality as well that you want to be aware of and prepared to deal with whether you handle the social media marketing and management for your brand, or you have a someone else handling it for you.
This is not going to be a 'how to' article designed to walk you through making the changes to your timeline. What I'm going to cover here is how you can step up your social media marketing game a bit and take advantage of the cool new features that the Facebook Timeline for fan pages has to offer. So let's dive right in.
The new timeline layout almost forces brands to figure out how to best tell their story in a visual way and chronologically. Gone are the default landing tabs and iFrames. Now everyone who visits your fan page will land on your timeline.
The cover image
You can post a large image that will take up the full width of the page. You can keep this image as static, or change it as often as you like. Facebook has changed its rules with regard to pages, so you would do well to visit the new pages guidelines and get familiar with all of the changes.
Cover images cannot include price information, contact information, any reference to Facebook actions such as, "Like," and no calls to action.
Profile image
Facebook recommends that you use your brand logo for your profile image, as it will represent your page across Facebook.
Milestones
If you consider the metaphor of the timeline, a milestone marks a significant event in the history of your company or brand. You can upload a photo, and give the post a past date and it will appear in its chronological place on the timeline.
Admin panel
Once you have switched to the new timeline layout, you will see the, 'Admin panel' button on the upper right portion of your screen just below the cover image.
You'll see notifications, messages, new likes, insights and page tips. You can easily hide the admin panel when you are not using it.
Once you've scrolled below the cover image, you'll see floating navigation bar that allows visitors to click on, Timeline, Now, and Highlights to quickly find content they want to view on your page.
App thumbnails
Just below the cover image on the right side of the screen there is a space for four app thumbnail images. Photos appear first and then you can order the other images as you choose. You can link these to a special landing page to highlight your products and service.
Don't get overwhelmed with the upcoming changes to your fan page. Set goals for what you want to accomplish, create a posting calendar so that you can plan your posts. Part of the new functionality is the ability to pin and unpin posts to the top of the timeline to give them special attention. Pinned posts can be moved at any time, and they will remain featured for seven days.
To answer all of your pressing questions about the changes to your Facebook fan page, visit the official Facebook fan page help center: facebook.com/about/pages.
Social media marketing is a great way to engage with your audience, generate traffic to your website and build your brand. For more tips and strategies for growing your online business, visit http://mcreasite.com/blog today.