Whether you’re making the switch and adjusting to the new Facebook Timeline, or trying to optimize your Facebook page, here are 5 simple steps you can take to make sure your Facebook presence is effective.
1) Make Your Cover Photo Stand Out
Cover photos are definitely a plus for business pages – it is the first thing a visitor sees when they visit your page, and there are great ways to take advantage of this; Number 1 being the opportunity to show visitors exactly what you do and make them want to learn more. Although Facebook doesn’t allow you to post any sort of website, promotion update, or call-to-action (i.e. Telling fans to like your page), businesses can get creative with their cover photo. You can use this space for your logo, brand colors, company description, photos representing what you do, etc. Get creative and use this opportunity to re-define how you want customers to view and think about your organization. Make it a visual, fun experience!
At GSMI, we chose to do a collage of pictures that represents what our conferences are all about – great speakers, networking, learning and interaction.
2) Creative Custom Tabs
Unfortunately, with the new Timeline layout, Facebook has scrapped default landing pages. However, the plus side is now Facebook allows you to create custom tabs. This is the place to put promotions and calls-to-action. Another piece of good news is that you can have these tabs link to a website outside of Facebook, giving companies quite a bit of freedom. Make sure these icons grab a visitor’s attention and makes them want to click on it to find out more.
Coca-Cola’s tabs are a great example:
3) Succinct “About Me” Section
As the “About Me” section is right below the cover photo and profile picture, this is also probably one of the first things viewers see. If you didn’t include a company description in your cover photo, use this space to succinctly describe what you’re about. This can be a bit challenging, as you only have about a sentence (and a short one at that), before the rest of your “About Me” gets cut off. However, short and to-the-point is something viewers definitely appreciate.
GSMI’s “About Me” is the following:
4) Highlight Content
Facebook Timeline allows you to choose which pieces of content you want to appear on your Timeline, and which posts you want to appear at the top. Simply hover over any post and “highlight” it. You can also add important milestones to your timeline – such as a product release, a new event, etc. On the right side of your Facebook page, visitors can then visit specific past months and years of your Timeline, where these milestones and other various past posts will appear. The best part is, you choose the content they see! You can hide or delete anything from your Timeline that you choose.
5) Keep Engaging Fans
The most important part, of course, is to keep posting content and giving your fans the opportunity to participate. You want your fans to feel like your page is a community where their contributed content is important and valued. Facebook is a good place to market promotions and products, but it is also a great place to post pictures, encourage comments and discussion, and ask questions!
What other tips and tricks should businesses consider when creating their Facebook Timeline? Comment below.
Want to learn more about Social Media? Check out our Social Media Strategies Summit – 6 different summits around the US and in the UK! Contact Michael Roche for details: michael.roche@gsmiweb.com or 888.409.4418 ex. 704.
Is your team going mobile? Check out our Mobile Marketing Strategies Summit coming to Boston, Sept 19-20. Contact Jessica drew for details: jessica.drew@gsmiweb.com or 888.409.4418 ex. 708.
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