Many of you have already heard that Facebook announced Timelines for Brand pages a few weeks ago. Here are some of the essential changes and how you can make the most of them.
1. Facebook Landing pages are dead
2. The new Cover image will essentially be replacing the landing page as your “welcome” or first impression. The image 851×315 pixels will take up the majority of the top of your page, so try to pick an exceptional, aesthetically pleasing image to express who you are and what your brand represents. Here is a great example by Mari Smith https://www.facebook.com/marismith
3. There can be no “calls to action” on your timeline photo. You may no longer request a fan to “like the page using arrows or ask them to share with their friends. You also can no longer have information regarding price ( such as like us now and get 20% off) or contact information.
4. You do have the ability to display up to 4 custom apps right below the timeline photos and while they are not “prime real estate”, you can use these app icons to send people to get a coupon or to a “custom tab” on a landing page where you then may set up a lead capture.
5. You can “pin” a post to the top of your page to give it highest visibility. These “pinned” posts can be either a popular post which has given you a lot of engagement, or it can be some top news or event you want to advertise to your fans.
6. Fans and visitors will now be able to private message the admins of the page, allowing them to develop a deeper connection and have their questions and concerns addressed quickly and privately. This may be a great tool for quick customer service
7. Facebook also recently announced “interest lists” where users curate content specific to that niche interest. Think of it as your own personal newsletter, where the top stories about topics that interest you are highlighted. People will soon be able to create or subscribe “interest lists” by users just like you. This does not mean they are liking the page, rather they are “subscribing” to the brand or celebrity updates. The users can keep it private or allow subscribers to access it. Content from those lists that the user created will go into their own news feed, hopefully spreading the brands message and content.
How do you plan to use these changes to effectively market your brand? What do you think of them?