On March 30th, your company’s Facebook Page automatically transitioned to the new Timeline format, allowing you to tell your brand story and connect with fans in a more intimate and compelling manner.
Hopefully you’ve had time to strategize and prepare for the transition. Much like your website, Facebook Timeline requires a defined content strategy. It’s no longer about “Likes” but rather an opportunity to develop editorial and visual narrative that engages your community in a more meaningful way.
Here are our “Top Getting Started Tips” for telling your story on Facebook Timeline:
1. Choose a Cover Photo that Represents You!
This large image (851 x 315 pixels) is the first touch-point users will notice when they visit your Facebook Page. No contact info or call to action — use images that represent your brand personality. You can change these as often as you like.
2. Keep Your Profile Picture Simple
The profile photo is now a square thumbnail; perfect for your logo.
4. Share Your Company’s History
From the first grand opening ribbon cutting, 1,000th member joining or 25,000 miles logged, you have an interesting story to tell. Map it out — founding date, major milestones, class launches, etc., to humanize your brand.
5. Anchor Your Most Important Stories
“Pin” the most important story at the top of your page. Select the pencil on the story you’d like to feature and “Pin to Top.” Only one item can be your featured pin for up to 7 days. “Star” all content (stories, videos and photos) that you consider highlights to increase visibility.
6. Test and Learn
Create a content calendar and identify the type of content that maximizes engagement when pinned or starred.
We’d love to hear how you’re optimizing Facebook Timeline. Share your success on the Club Solutions Facebook page for a chance to feature your club and social media success in an upcoming issue. Create a comment under this article’s post on our Facebook Page for a chance to be entered. We will send the winner a Facebook e-mail with further details.
For further reference, here’s a collection of what we at Club One have found to be most helpful:
Facebook Pages Mission Control Overview/Product Guide, Facebook: http://ads.ak.facebook.com/ads/FacebookAds/Pages_Product_Guide_022812.pdf
The New Facebook Pages Brand Timeline: Everything You Need to Know, Hearsay Social: http://info.hearsaysocial.com/rs/hearsaysocial/images/0212_Timeline.pdf
By Kari Bedgood, Director of Marketing & PR, Club One
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
