Do You think You Know Everything about Facebook? Think Again

Facebook is leveling the field quite aggressively. So, marketers are no longer enjoying the extra benefits in the form of an engaging and customized fan page. However, it is not that the new page structure introduced by facebook a few days ago is any less engaging. Obviously, this is not the case but there is no escape from the bitter truth that there is little scope to go extreme (which some marketers still love, irrespective of the long term impacts) while promoting their services. Some of the changes introduced by Facebook are so extreme that marketers can hardly ignore them. So, if you are into facebook marketing, you need to remain fully aware of the changes introduced recently, I you are to stay in the game. So, let’s have a look:

Cover Photo and Profile image: In an effort to level the field, facebook has scrapped the concept of Fan page. So, we are left with a large cover photo and a small profile image. Maximum dimension of Cover photo is 850 pixels by 315 pixels. So, enough room available to give creativity wings. But the only problem is that you cannot go overboard while designing the cover images, there are too many ifs and buts involved. The biggest draw from a marketer’s point of view of cover image is that it cannot have a call to action button. Moreover, it cannot have contact information be it phone no, mail address, URL etc. It has to be as much creative as possible. So, leave the whole thing to the designers and I believe that they will make the whole thing makes sense.

Now comes to profile image. Well, the basic marketing instinct says that it should use the logo of the website. Make it look nice; task ends here.

Bigger and Better Pinned Posts: Facebook is asking people to share their stories and the same rule is applicable to big corporate honchos. And to make the whole process of storytelling engaging, facebook has brought a number of changes like – you can pin a story to the top to get better exposure etc. There is an option highlight a story and it can be done by simply clicking on the Star icon featured at the upper right of a post and it will be spanned across the entire post, thereby gathering as much attention for the post as possible.

Milestones: This feature can make or break your company’s brand presence. Milestones are meant to be making people aware of the achievements. It will be featured prominently in the Timeline and therefore, you need to feature only those events that are of real importance. Just fill out a simple form and there you go. This feature will go a long way to make the whole thing interesting.

Add Applications: Though there are zillions of applications available, technically speaking you have got three main applications to get them placed on prominent positions. Out of the 12 applications that you can feature on the Timeline profile, only three get placed at the top. However, there are some people who are lamenting over the sudden demise of applications there were used for the default landing page; there are still enough apps available to make the whole process interesting if you know how to use them judiciously. Just take your pick carefully and there you go.

Facebook Offers: Though this feature has not been rolled out for all and sundry, this is an interesting addition for all marketers who want promote their services heavily on facebook without violating the rules and regulations involved. If you are fortunate enough to get your hands on facebook offers, you will be able to share the offers via news feed of your fans or alternatively, you can share the Offer via post. Interested people will get the offer by clicking over the claim button, obviously after reading the terms and conditions sections.

Facebook Offers is a huge plus for marketers as it gives them unlimited scope to promote their campaign be it small or large. But Facebook Offers has a small chink in its armor; you will not have any option to restrict the number of Offers claimed. So, you need to sure about the bandwidth before you decide to roll the dice. However, we have not heard anything untoward so far but still it is better safe than sorry. You need to have a contingency plan ready if you planning to launch a Facebook Offer.

To make the whole thing easier, Facebook has itself come up with some amazing offers. For say, it suggests marketers to be specific about the offer in question. Like you can say – “50% discount offer” and do not forget to add an expiry date so that people can redeem the offers after a few days.

Facebook Insights, Admin Panel and Messaging: Facebook has tinkered away with the admin interface. Though you can find almost everything therein, its look and feel is quite different. Navigation now has a complete different interface however, if you wish to remain stuck in the good old days, you can get that thing back from the drop down menu.

One of the greatest additions is certainly the induction of “request a name change” for page. This is great news for those businesses whose corporate identity has gone a massive change or has a spelling mistake in the page. A simple form to fill out and you will have an improved business presence.

Facebook insight now looks more engrossing with timeline. You will have all the details about a page that has embraced Timeline and that too in a whole new way. You can see who have liked the page; who are talking about the page and a lot more.

Get your hands dirty with these details and I believe you will have a better social presence very soon.

Author Bio
Michael Evans is a passionate blogger and a social media analytic. He is currently associated with MotoCMS that has the most advanced Flash templates available for users. You can connect with him @ Google + or Facebook.