If your not ready and need some help please contact James at Net Profits Media right here in Port (https://www.facebook.com/NetProfitsMedia) and I'll get your Facebook site up to date just like I have for Beanies (https://www.facebook.com/Beanies.Mexican.Restaurant), Port Washington Main Street (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Port-Washington-Main-Street/148006119068) and Zarkos Nightclub in Milwaukee (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zarkos-Nightclub/191576199342).

Hi Jaime - thanks for your comments.

The changes highlighted above are for business pages within Facebook, so they really do affect a company's marketing strategies. Companies will need to look at not only at their overall engagement strategy, but also their design strategy with the new cover photo and profile picture. Also, with the changes to default landing tabs, companies are having to completely change their strategy since they can no longer direct visitors to a specific, branded page.

What I have discovered is that many businesses are overwhelmed by the upcoming changes, just because it is one more thing they need to plan for. My hope is that this blog post gives them a synopsis of not only the changes, but how those changes affect them.

I hope this information is helpful to those who need it.

Hi James - thanks for your comment.

I too am having a great time working on new cover photos for clients... it's fun working with them on designing a creative cover photo that instantly tells visitors who they are.

Of the other changes, what are some of your favorite features. I like the "pinning" and "starring", as I think it will be a great way to creatively engage followers. I also think the multiple admin levels will be great.

What do you think?

I've used the Highlight feature a number of times already. Currently it's being used on Port Washington Main Streets Facebook page for a Kiss of Indulgence poll.

The Pin to Top feature has been used on another site I manage to get longevity and draw attention to a particular article that was posted.

Just this morning I used the Custom Tab Image feature to post a custom Mobile Rewards Program button I made for Beanies brand new exclusive Text Specials Club. If you go to Beanies FB site you will see the button. (https://www.facebook.com/Beanies.Mexican.Restaurant). Beanies has a number of custom pages and that page / button is located in the row of visible apps that you mention in your post above. The others are located behind the (expand) drop down arrow just to the right af the app row.

I really like the new features as they give businesses more tools to convey their message and really get the word out.

One of the other features I love is the fact that we can use a custom photo for the apps! We're able to make the apps that much more visually engaging to visitors. As a "design geek", I've really enjoyed watching the creativity individual brands are using to tell their story.

Lisa, yes, I said that in my prior post.

Well, I'm glad to see people that use this Timeline feature and love it. I've only seen it a little bit on friend's Timeline profiles and have to say ... I don't quite share the enthusiasm you both have! ... ugh, time will tell!

Lyssa, I just emailed you on another subject. The timeline feature does take a bit to get used to. I became aware of it quite some time ago so I've had time to warm up to it. Initially I did not like it at all.

Lyssa - On my personal profile, I would much rather stay with the "old" version. On business pages; however, I think there are definitely some advantages.

The fact that photos and videos that are attached to status posts are larger in size is a definite plus. People tend to be visual, so the more we can visually engage them the better.

Also - since ALL business pages are being switched to this format at the end of this month, we have to find ways to truly help companies find the right message for their brand.

Tell the folks at Patch that I would love to help them with all of their pages! :)

The stats reporting was better in the old version; it was more centralized and easier to spot trends. I'm a stat person and measure everything to get my clients an advantage. I liked being able to see page views and interactions right on the "wall" instead of having to go into the admin section.

Another awesome add-on for your pages is pagemodo.com

You can always like my page too, since I blog here and trying to get more Muskego people to see who to turn to since enough people do not tweak their computers to run better and you can check out the free advice on my website as well.

http://facebook.com/pcitback

The new billboard is almost up!! You might have seen the one across from the Moose Lodge! Also, check http://pcitbacktogether.com your other choice and right choice for PC Repair in SE Wisconsin.

Hi Jon! Thanks for your response. I checked out your Facebook page and saw your new cover photo. I wanted to be sure to let you know that Facebook has some pretty strict guidelines regarding the cover photos, including that you are not allowed to included any contact information in them. So you would need to remove your phone # and website. You also are not allowed to have any type of call to action such as "Like Us on Facebook".

The detailed rules are as follows...

The cover photo can be up to 850 pixels by 315 pixels but may not contain any of the following:
* Price or purchase information, such as “40 percent 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.”

I hope that helps!

Lisa, your post talks about the nuts and bolts of a Facebook page and you did a great job. Taking this one step further, when creating the updated page businesses should design their updated site with the understanding of just why customers go to a business or brand fan page and what engages them.

To receive discounts and promotions: 25%
I am a customer of the company: 21%
To show others I like / support the brand: 18%
It's fun and entertaining: 10%
To be the first to know information about the brand: 8%
Gain access to exclusive content: 6%

SOURCE: CHADWICK MARTIN BAILEY AND iMODERATE RESEARCH TECHNOLOGIES AS CITED IN PRESS RELEASE MARCH 10, 2010

And don't forget eye-mapping testing shows the most critical elements on a Facebook page are images. (If you are not familiar with the term eye-mapping, eye-mapping is the study of what people look at.) Posts with images on Facebook get many times the attention that plain text posts do.

Net Profits Media, LLC
Port Washington, WI 53074
e: netprofitsmedia@gmail.com
m: 414-687-7018
https://www.facebook.com/NetProfitsMedia

Just thought I'd pipe in - I'm not on Facebook, and plan to never be... :-) I think it's just a fad..... :-)

James - you are right... this particular post does cover the nuts and bolts of the upcoming changes to FB pages. This was basically an intro to the changes for people that were not yet aware of them.

As for the reason people engage with a brand or company, the statistics are out there. When someone is looking at designing their page (or outsourcing it to a company like mine or yours), they need to look at the whole strategy. Facebook is one of many platforms for people to market their business. Whether they are marketing via social media or traditional media, the most important thing is to identify their target market and develop a strategic marketing plan. And of course, they need to make sure their marketing across all platforms is properly integrated and managed.

Thanks for all of your input.

Hi CaledoniaGirl! Thanks for piping in!

People have different reactions to Facebook (and social media in general). Some people have completely sworn it off while others have it completely integrated into their life.

My personal opinion is that Facebook is not a fad. If you watch how integrated society is becoming with social media and mobile media, I think we are becoming more and more reliant on it. Apps are designed every day. People spend large amounts of the online time on Facebook. And we can do just about anything with our smart phones. It will be interesting to see how this continues to grow.

Here is another aspect to the Timeline "feature" which has not been discussed. (at least I don't think so).

Employers ask job seekers for Facebook passwords. So, Facebook lays it all out and employers know this. Then because the applicant really needs the job he/she has to give up their privacy in order for the supreme HR department to look for dirt on their prospective employee. They must give up their user ID and password. This is simply wrong. Check this Associated Press news story about it:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_JOB_APPLICANTS_FACEBOOK?SITE=CAVAL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Don't even breath a comment that goes something like "hey if you don't have anything to worry about then give it to them." The Facebook expectation is privacy. It just doesn't pass the smell test for fairness.

Hi Rees - thanks for your comments.

Facebook privacy is a HUGE topic. People need to be very aware of and responsible for setting the privacy settings on their personal profiles. Whether a company asks you for login information or not, they may be able to see large amounts of your profile depending on how tight your privacy options are set.

One of the first things to look at is your posts. Each post has a little icon right next to the time stamp. If that icon is a globe, all of your posts are public. I personally do not recommend leaving your settings at "public." Posts on Facebook (and Twitter and other sites) are indexed by the search engines and I don't think most people will want ALL of their thoughts found.

As for companies asking for logins, I can't even imagine how I would answer that question. I think it will be interesting to see if the legal system gets further involved in cases where companies are asking for actual login information.

Remember - privacy settings do only pertain to personal profiles. Facebook business pages are completely open to the public and businesses need to be aware of that. Incorporating that "openness" into their marketing strategy is key. Although the business pages are going to the "timeline format", the privacy settings will not apply to those pages.

I can understand that timelines are good for businesses, but for me I really can't get used to the timeline and don't really like it. I liked how my old profile was and wish i could go back to it.