By Sammy Yatco, Client Services Coordinator aka @SYatco
Beginning March 30th, Facebook is making its new Timeline mandatory for all users and pages. Yikes.
Judging from the reaction around the social media world, “change” is not something everyone likes. However, businesses should not fear the changes but embrace them. These new FB formats will help you more easily market and manage your brand message. Here are some tips from the team at Madison+Main, so your company is well prepared.
SLEEKER DESIGN
The most notable change in Facebook’s Timeline is the aesthetically focused layout. This includes large graphics and a cleaner, simpler design which better highlight what’s most important about your business. The one-page layout allows your fans to see all of your activities without having to click tabs.
Some of the new design features we love and ways to optimize them include the cover photo. It should be striking, related to your brand and optimized for web viewing (Facebook recommends 851 x 315 pixels). Remember, this is the first thing your fans will see so it should make a lasting impression and leave them wanting to know more about your company.
Highlight important posts by clicking on the star. This expands the post to the entire width of your timeline making it easier for fans to recognize its importance.
Pinning posts allows you to keep that post on the top of your Timeline for seven days. Just click on the pencil on the top right of the post.
The new design gives companies a chance to tell their history to their fans and even share company landmarks and milestones. Organizations like Coca-Cola and the U.S. Navy have capitalized on this feature and have included milestones of their rich history that date back to the 1800s.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Other features that help to enhance your brand is the small “About” box located under your profile picture. Companies can include things such as industry and a brief bio, while retailers can help their customers by providing their address, store hours, phone number and website. Fans who need additional information can also click on the “About” box to view a map and detailed information about the company.
Navigational boxes that feature a company’s other social media platforms like Twitter and YouTube are easily customized according to what you want to highlight most, with a maximum of 12 boxes and the top four showing first. Businesses with high ratings can even include a ratings box that let fans know what others think of them.
Another addition is the admin panel that is now located on the top, so you can easily find notifications, new likes, insights, page tips and messages all in one place. The new capability for direct messaging on pages allows your fans to send you a private message, a useful communication tool for companies who want to address customer feedback in a more personal and private manner.
Hope this helps! As always, call us if you need more info; 1-877-623-6246. or email us shout@madisonmain.com