As the Facebook ‘Wall’ becomes a thing of the past, Spark offers the scoop on how to stay ahead of the game with Timeline for Brand Pages.
If you’re a Facebook user, you may have recently been asked to convert your profile into the new Timeline. For some, the change has been requested, for others it’s mandatory, but eventually all Facebook profiles will be in the Timeline format.
Timeline, launched late last year for personal profiles, enables users to tell their story in an updated format. Users are able to easily view, save and organize everything they have posted or been tagged in. They now also have the option to add events as far back as their birth.
Many people are starting to recognize Timeline as a great marketing tool. One of the main features is the Cover photo, an 850×315 (850px wide and 315px height) image that spans the top of a profile. Users can choose to leave it empty, or get creative by uploading a nice graphic. Photographers are using it to display some of their work, and business professionals are taking advantage of the space by adding their social network and contact info or a branded image.
Some users are hesitant to convert their profile into Timeline due to the lack of privacy that comes with the new format. However, Facebook has allowed users to customize their privacy settings [almost] as much as they want. With a few adjustments, users can choose whether they want their activity to only be visible to them, their friends, or completely open to the public.
Following the launch of Timeline for personal profiles, people were left wondering the big question: “What will happen to the Facebook Brand Pages now that the Timeline feature is here?”
Facebook recently announced that on March 30, 2012, all Pages will automatically be updated to the new design. Admins now have the option to preview what it will look like, and even customize and publish their Timeline Page ahead of time.
Some benefits of the Facebook Timeline Brand Pages are:
- Cover Photo – This can be your company logo or branded image with contact information or hours of operation listed on it.
- Interactivity – You can post more photos, videos, or articles and they will be displayed in a neat way. It is also more conversational, as fans have the option of sharing items with you as well.
- “Message” Tool – Fans are now able to message the page directly if they have questions, concerns, comments or general inquiries.
- Apps – You can add applications that may be relevant to your company or organization. I.e., if you are a doctor you can choose to add a newsfeed from a medical news source if they have an app set up.
- “Pinned” Stories – You can choose what the most important posts are on your Timeline, and ‘pin’ them so that they show up on the top of your page for up to seven days.
- Admin Panel – There is a separate section that admins of the page can view. This will show all notifications and Page Insights.
As you can see in the examples below, many businesses have already launched successful Facebook Timeline Brand Pages:
Coca-Cola
50 Cent
Starbucks
Magnolia Bakery
Livestrong
Facebook Timeline Brand Pages enable businesses to not only get spread their branded message, but also engage with customers on a new level.
If you require assistance with setting up a Facebook Timeline Brand Page, ask us about our social media plans.
