Timeline for Facebook Business Pages

We all heard the rumors and grumblings and now it’s here.  Major changes to Facebook Business Pages include no default landing tabs, wider 810px custom tabs, fan page messaging and admin panel! THIS IS A MAJOR GAME CHANGER.

Do you love it or hate it?  More importantly are you prepared to capitalize on the changes?  Regardless if you “LIKE” or “DISLIKE” all Business Pages will change to the new Timeline feature by March 30, 2012.  So here are a few tips we picked up from the folks at Facebook and Lujure.

 1. Default Landing Tabs are Gone, Tabs now 810px Wide:
Facebook is no longer allowing default landing tabs. However, you can still create fan gates. The size of the new tabs is 810px. Make sure you take full advantage of this new design width.  There is a work around requiring Facebook ads (yes you’ll have to spend money).  More on this as we learn and confirm.

2. Photos, Likes, and Apps at Top of Page:
Your photos, likes and apps now appear at the top of your Page. Photos show in the first spot, but you can change the order of everything else so people see what matters most. You can show a maximum number of 12 apps, so make sure to put your most important ones first.  You can also customize the images for your apps under “Manage” in “Edit Page” in the admin panel.

 3.  How to Pin:
Pin an important story to the top of your page each week by hovering over a story and clicking on the star ( star icon ) to make it wider, or on the pencil ( pencil icon ) to pin it to the top of your Page, hide or delete it entirely.  Posts can stay pinned for up to seven days.

 4. New Admin Panel:
The admin panel appears at the top of the Pages you manage and offers a quick snapshot of who you should respond to, and gives you access to your Page and post performance. View notifications, Page Insights, and edit your content here. You can also hide and expand the admin panel from view. Keep track of your activity on your Page from the admin panel. Respond when people write on your Page timeline, and view your latest insights. Visit your activity log often and consistently to review all your posts and activity.

5. Fan Page Messages:
Now people can contact you privately using messages. Notifications about new messages will appear right in your admin panel. This is awesome.  We’ve been waiting a long time for this feature.

6. Cover Photo:

• The cover photo can be up to 850px by 315px but may NOT contain the following:
• Price or purchase information, such as “40% off” or “Download it at our website”.
• Contact information, such as web address, email, mailing address or other information intended for your Page’s About section.
• References to user interface elements, such as Like or Share, or any other Facebook site features.
• Calls to action, such as “Get it now” or “Tell your friends”.

We know and understand the most people don’t like change but we LOVE CHANGE.  Regardless if you love it or hate it Facebook has imposed it.  Early adopters will benefit the most so don’t wait.  We’re here to help!
As the Small Business Marketing Advocate team, our primary objective is to equip you with solid, fundamental, best practices that reliably move your business forward.  Call us at (951) 291-1774 or send us an email (contact@MusselwhiteMarketing.com) if you have any questions or comments about Entrepreneur and Small Business Marketing.  We like to hear from you.

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Charles & Linda Musselwhite owners of Musselwhite Marketing provide online and offline Marketing strategies and Tips from the mastermind groups, conferences and client applications they are involved with.  We’d love to hear from you too!
website: http://www.MusselwhiteMarketing.com