Facebook Timeline first debuted on personal pages and is coming full circle with full integration for brand pages. The Timeline feature is a great storytelling tool that both big brands and small businesses alike can use to their advantage, creating more engaging and interactive content. Currently, Timeline is an opt-in element, but after March 30 the changes will automatically be applied to all pages. Instead of getting caught up in the last-minute rush, see how your brand can take it to the next level by optimizing its Facebook presence now:
Choose a Compelling Cover Image
Curation, curation and…even more curation. Anyone who has spent any significant amount of time in the social media space has been inundated with this term. Curation, the hottest trend in social networks today, is evident in the success of Instagram
and Pinterest, which allows users to create strong, compelling visual content. Facebook Timeline enables companies to showcase strong images through their cover photos.  The social networking site’s guidelines prohibit the use of any promotional language (i.e. website address, call to actions or contact information) in one’s cover images. For strong brand page examples, take a look at Red Bull, Coca-Cola, Sharpie, and Harley-Davidson.Photo Tips
- Remember: For cover photos, use engaging images. Select a minimum width of 399 pixels. Also note that the profile photo is the perfect place to put your brand’s logo. When it comes to profile photos, place your company’s logo in an appropriate spot on the image. This photo should be a minimum width of 180 pixels.
The latest version of the Instagram app allows users to upload photos with graphic effects to their timeline. Hence, brands can add a creative feel to their always professional appearance.
Record Those Memorable Milestones
Facebook’s latest addition allows brands to showcase their rich history, going as far back as January 1, 1800. Â Found on the right-side of the Facebook page, the milestones are listed vertically by year and when clicked on open to display full screen photos with content, location and time.
Milestone Tips
- List key moments or significant events in your company history.
- Use engaging images that connect directly to the moment you are sharing.
Make It Stick By Pinning Your Post
Regardless of posting date, you can highlight a specific post so that it appears at the top of your page. The post will remain up for 7 days, and then return to its original date.
No Middleman: Foster Consumer-to-Brand Contact
Fans can now communicate with brands directly via private messages. Small businesses can use this messaging feature, found on the admin panel, as a channel to start collecting feedback and engaging customers.
Capitalize on Central Control
The admin panel allows brands to manage their insights, new “likes,†messages and notifications from one central location. The admin panel provides a snapshot of a brand’s day-to-day activity:
Insights — Houses your Facebook brand page’s analytics, which includes “likes,†reach and how people are talking about your page
New “Likes†— Lists Facebook users who have recently liked your page
Messages — Manage your private messages from fans
Notifications — You will be notified when users interact on your page
Remember: Timeline goes live on March 30. It’s time to tell your story.