Tag Archives: facebook pages

8 Popular Questions Answered About The New Facebook Page Layout 2014

Looking for answers to all the hot questions regarding the new Facebook Page Layout 2014?

It’s true – Facebook moved our cheese in March 2014 with a new Facebook Page layout.

They promised a quick, yet gradual rollout to all Facebook Pages. Of course, it’s never fast enough for marketers eager to get started!

The initial snapshot of the new Facebook page layout was cool – They answered some long-time requests. For many the one-column Timeline was great news. But on the other hand, applications and components Facebook Page admins valued for years were seemingly moved, displaced, and even scrambled.

The location of Facebook tabs, for one.

You have probably seen some converted pages, and may have even become nervous trying to figure out how the conversion will go for your Facebook Page.

Lets put your mind at ease about this new Facebook Page layout for business, shall we?

Eight Popular Questions Answered About The New Facebook Page Layout 2014

1. How can I apply the new Facebook Page layout to my own Facebook Page? My friend’s page has already been updated, and I find it a lot more practical.

Some Facebook Page admins saw buttons to click inviting them to be added to the update list. This was suppose to get you on the list to step ahead of other Facebook Pages for the conversion to occur. Others did not see this button. Yet that did not necessarily keep their Facebook Page from being updated to the new Facebook Page layout!

Facebook did provide dates to admins when their Facebook Page would be viewable in the new format to all users. Some at the end of May 2014, others with June 6, June 13, and possibly other dates.

The short answer is that this is a gradual rollout and your Page will have the new Facebook Page layout eventually. (hopefully soon) 🙂

2. Is it possible to go back to the “old” format?

Unfortunately, there is no way to go back – The new format is the new reality.

It may take a little getting used to at first, but after a few weeks, you should come to enjoy the new
Facebook Page layout.

Like with other Facebook changes, you need to adapt and learn to maximize the “new”!

3. I really dislike how highlighted posts do not appear across my entire Facebook Page in this new layout. Help?

Highlighted posts will not stretch across the entire page as they did before.

You will continue to see the blue ribbon and white star in the upper right of a highlighted post. However, now that the Timeline is one column, the post will remain it’s regular size on the page with the new Facebook Page layout.

4. How do I use Facebook as my Page?

Very important question! No one wants to lose the ability to network as their brand name and interact as their Facebook Page.

Where there used to be a few options of changing this setting. But the Admin panel functions are located “under the hood” now, and the option under “edit” above the Facebook Page cover is not there anymore.

It appears the best way to log in as your Facebook Page is in the upper right hand corner of your screen in the blue strip to the right of your name. The graphic points this out well. Note that once you head back to log in as yourself, or another Facebook Page, you are immediately directed to that location on Facebook.

5. My Facebook Page is now only showing three reviews and prior to the new layout we had many, and were able to scroll down to read them. How can I read the reviews under the star ratings?

As the new Facebook Pages layout rolls out, this is one area that will probably see tweaking for some time.

There has been talk of hopeful star rating available to all pages. Others think that the reviews button will be added back in and we’ll be able to scroll through a list as we could before. We’ll have to stay tuned to what Facebook does here.

Reviews are online equity, and you want to be sure you record them in some way that gives you continued access and see nothing that happens with any future Facebook adjustments hinders that.

Tip: While you may still be able to access the “old” Facebook Page format, record those reviews in text and image format so you can use them in a variety of ways into the future.

As we see here at the Petopia Facebook Page, hovering over the stars gives you a view of how their star rating are broken down.

By clicking the stars you are led to a different Reviews page where all the reviews are journaled, along with any comments from the Facebook Page Admin and other users.

6. Will the message button still be there?

Great news – If you have enabled the Direct Messages function on your Facebook Page, it’s still there with the new Facebook Page layout! In addition, the buttons you were used to seeing there are still the same.

A fun bonus: If you use the Facebook scheduler to schedule posts for your page, just below the box where you can post a status update directly to your page, you get a snippet summary of the number of scheduled posts ready for your page, and the time when the next scheduled post is due to be released to your Facebook Page.

7. What about Facebook Apps And Tabs?

This is perhaps the most talked about regarding the new Facebook Page layout 2014!

With the new Facebook Page layout, tabs are assigned new options. In some ways, they get even more visibility. Regardless, it’s to your advantage to be strategic.

NOTE: All tabs connected to your Facebook Page and in active mode will be visible to viewers of your page. This is different than the previous limit of twelve viewable apps.

Facebook Tabs will appear in the white strip below your Facebook Page Timeline Cover – Four seen in the strip, and then the rest in a pull down menu when you click “more.” When you click to “Manage Tabs: you can drag and drop their order. This, in turn, is what determines which Tabs are identified in that white strip.

You will also see Facebook Apps in he left column on your Facebook Page. The default setting will let you see these under the “People” and “About” sections in that left column.

Notice that you can still use customized icons – For the first three in your preferred order. The size of these thumbnails is 111 x 74, just as before.

Click here for: New Facebook Page layout dimensions. Keep in mind that simple and clear is best for the image information on your Facebook Tabs.

8. Can I control the order of the boxes on the left?

Yes! You can customize the way your Facebook Fans will see the left column on your new Facebook Page layout!

At the top of any of the sections in that left column, hover over the area just to the left of the arrow. The option to “Manage Sections” will appear. Click this, and you will see a pop-up box that looks like this:

The top two categories will not move, but you can drag and drop the others to your preference. In doing this, think of what material you want your Facebook Page visitors to find first, and what is most important for them to be attracted to. Put that as high as you can in the order.

Once you have these sections where you want them you have then customized your own new Facebook Page layout! Cool, huh?

BONUS TIPS For Navigating The New Facebook Page Layout 2014

As Facebook adjusts and tweaks the new Facebook Page layout, we will probably find or have access to additional features we did not at first.

Tip: When you click the arrow at the right of your left column section headers, you are led to an insights screen for that category for your Facebook Page.

Tip: Featured Likes – They do not appear to be featuring the likes you may have checked to feature in your Facebook Page admin panel before the conversion. Instead, the most recent likes are listed in the “Liked By This Page” section. This may change as we see improvements.

Tip: Your Facebook Page Admin panel is available by clicking different buttons now, and insights seem available in more comfortable doses. Don’t be afraid to “get your fingers dirty” and click to find new ways of accessing your Page’s functions and insights on the new Facebook Page layout.

If you are a social media manager and manage Facebook Pages on the go, you will want to be aware of how Facebook mobile page design changes impact managers, and digital marketing recommendations from the pros for 2014.

Your Turn

The questions answered were submitted by real people just like yourself…

Are there questions you have about the new Facebook Page layout that were not answered above?

What new options are you most looking forward to using on your Facebook Page?

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below! 🙂

Facebook page changes, facebook page layout, facebook pages, facebook tabs, Facebook tipsJune 3, 2014

How to Market your Business on Facebook [Infographic]

Want a simple road map to market your business on Facebook?

Facebook offers businesses of all sizes and industries a great way to connect with their ideal audience and to move the awareness and interest dial closer and closer towards the “raving customer” zone!

The fast facts: Facebook has the biggest audience, the most active (by time spent per visit), and the greatest breadth of all audience demographics.

This animated infographic (perfect for Pinterest 🙂 ) outlines 7 keys for the savvy Facebook marketer to learn from and implement.

7 Tips for Marketing your Business on Facebook

How to Market a Business on Facebook – An infographic by the team at Wyzowl

1. Attraction Content:

Content is still king! People are on Facebook to connect, engage, and be entertained.

Your content mix needs to fit within this! Here are some recommendations…

A. Capture Attention

Images, videos, infographics and more. This helps catch the eye of the user in the News Feed, inspiring them to engage.

B. Be Social

Brands on Facebook need to post in a social way. There’s a style of writing that is not directly sales speak but communicates socially what you have to offer. Check out this post by Starbucks for an example of promoting their Pumpkin Spice Latte without directly selling it.

C. Be Helpful

As Jay Baer says, “it’s difficult to be amazing all the time, but you can be helpful 100% of the time.” Struggling with “what” you can post about? Be helpful! A real estate agent’s fan page can’t push the newest listing in the market each day, but they can inform their fans about school redistricting, new businesses coming to town, community resources, and more.

2. Use Facebook Ads

Facebook Ads are powerful! Whether targeting via the Boost Post or more advanced with Custom Audiences, the right ad can be so helpful to your success!

For as little as $10-20 you can reach a ideal audience by location, interest, employment, and more options. It’s simply a great way to increase the reach of your best posts to your best audience!

Facebook knows a ton about each user. This sets it a part as a great place to use your ad dollars!

3. Custom Tabs

Custom tabs are power-packed apps to turbo-boost your page! Remember, we noted that people are on Facebook to engage and be entertained. So by offering a deal coupon or the opportunity to enter to win a prize or gift certificate, fans can get excited to participate and engage with your page.

The ability to post about a contest on your page and drive interested persons from the news feed to your tab where they can enter and you collect the much coveted name and email address is a win-win potential! They can have a chance to win or to get the coupon, while your business grows your email list with the ability to nurture market to the fans via email in the future!

4. Partner to Grow

Got partners with big fan bases? Can you collaborate on a “joint-venture” where you both drive fans to your Page tab where you have a Like Gate to grow your fan base and they enter to win a prize from both? You can share email addresses if you outline that in your promotion terms!

Work together!

5. Run Contests

Who doesn’t want to win?

As noted in the tab area, contests and giveaways are a great way to promote your business. Whether a contest in the News Feed or a Photo Contest, for example, there are many ways to easily run a contest that can drive engagement and new business!

6. Be Responsive

A little bit of responsiveness and help can go a long way!

Too many pages are not responding to fan comments and questions. It’s a simple but powerful way to build loyalty and traction.

They ask, you answer! Keep it simple. Just do it!

7. Socialize your Website with Facebook plugins

It’s not rocket science….

Add a Like box to your blog and fans can Like your Facebook Page while on your blog!

You can add the the “Like” button, a “Comments” area integrated with Facebook, the activity feed from your Page and more. Make it simple for visitors to your website to find and engage with your brand on Facebook. See the Facebook Social Plug-in options >>

Don’t you love that animated Infographic??

Facebook ads, facebook contests, Facebook Marketing, facebook pages, Facebook tipsApril 15, 2014

3 Ways to Use Facebook to Grow your Business Instagram Followers

As we all well know, Instagram is Facebook’s “billion dollar baby.”

It’s the darling mobile phone photo app that is very popular with young people, celebrities, and increasingly with more and more businesses. (Since the adding of video, business use on Instagram is growing rapidly). In fact, everyday people are now starting hugely successful businesses on Instagram by promoting offers for products/services that relate to them in some way. They do this through the vehicle of affiliate marketing. Affiliate networks like AWIN, Shareasale and Commission Junction allow people to connect with businesses to promote quality goods on platforms like Instagram.

Since being purchased by Facebook in 2012, Instagram has added over 30 million users to now have over 130 million. The Instagram concept has been simple: upload, customize, and share photos (and now short videos) via the mobile app. It also enables easy sharing to other social networks , along with the ability to follow and comment on images of other Instagram users.

With photos and media being a natural and popular means of sharing and communicating in online, digital media, Instagram is a “go-to” app for mobile users wanting to customize and share photos.

Businesses on Instagram continue to see it as a new method to connect, interact with, and visually get their company brand in front of potential customers (see Business Ideas for Instagram). However, if your audience doesn’t know you are on Instagram, how can you grow your follower base?

3 WAYS TO USE YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE TO GROW INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS

A company Facebook page can be used strategically to help increase awareness and followers on a company Instagram account by implementing these three ideas.

1. Add a Instagram Tab to your Facebook Page

Make your Facebook fans aware of your instagram account by adding a tab to your Facebook page that pulls in your Instagram Posts or a specific hashtag relevant to you. The on occasion create posts for your Facebook page that links to this tab.

More details on Instagram Tab Options >>

2. Share Instagram Pics and Videos on Facebook

Another way to increase awareness to your Facebook fans is to post your Instagram pics or videos to your Facebook Page.

While there is no automatic methods to post or sync Instagram photos to a specific Facebook page there are pretty simple methods.

One way is to post to Instagram and in the mobile app select the “…” to enable sharing options and then select “Copy Share URL”.

This can then be taken to your Facebook Page in the Pages app or regular Facebook mobile app, pasted, add a space, and the image is pulled in!

On Facebook it becomes a nice link post as shown below.

3. Run a Instagram Contest on Facebook

This is a interactive way to make your Facebook community aware of and interact with your company on instagram. By promoting a contest that is hosted on your Facebook Page tab where fans enter by going to Instagram and “@ tagging” your username as well as adding a #hashtag you specify, they are entered and the contest pulls in all images with that specific hashtag that have been added on Instagram time!

Learn more about Instagram Contest Options >>

These three simple methods offer companies a way to leverage their Facebook Page and help build their following on Instagram.

What about your company? Are you creatively leveraging your Facebook Page to grow fans or followers on other social networks your company uses?

facebook pages, Instagram app, Instagram Contest, instagram photos, instagram videos, tabsite appsOctober 11, 2013

6 Ways Restaurants Can Best Use Facebook

Facebook offers EVERY restaurant a great way to stay in touch with their customers and find new ones. The key is in providing timely information and great value.

By offering regular, fun, social information and timely updates via Facebook posts, a page has started well! By then making sure you offer easy access to information, deals, and more RIGHT ON Facebook to would-be customers, restaurants can really benefit. This provides easy, fast, and immediate access and removes barriers of potentially losing fans by transferring them to your website (more on that below).

6 Things Restaurants Should Do on Facebook

1. Post Inspiring Content, Images, and News Regularly

While it could be tempting to offer deals, specials, and more continually, please remember that social media is about building relationships, being social, and offering value. Users are on Facebook to connect and engage with things of interest. Being too salesy all the time will turn fans off. A loyal following and community can only be created if you actively seek out and share valuable content, yours and community related, that inspires, informs, educates and connects.

Post on a regular schedule, such as 2-3 times per day at key times and in a way that invites Likes, Shares, and Comments. Use a mix of post types from status updates to photos of food and short videos of life and times at the restaurant.

NOTE: people are visual and the popularity of Facebook and Pinterest prove that people connect with images. If you want to quickly capture the attention of your fans or followers, add images that are eye-catching and pleasing to the eye. Also, consider using simple tools like Vine and Instagram’s Video tool along with Facebook Video and YouTube as ways to easily create shareable videos that display well on Facebook.

2. Highlight Special Items on the Fan Page Cover Image

Now that Facebook no longer has a text limit of 20% on Cover Images, use the Cover Image regularly as a means of showcasing valuable items like this week’s special, new seasonal offerings, or pictures of the live band, whatever is relevant to your restaurant! This can be changed out weekly or 2x a week. Consider using a Cover Image template to enable you to customize images quickly and be sure to edit the image to include a description and a link when it is posted. Here’s 12 more ideas for creating buzz with your Cover Image.

3. Include a Menu Tab

It’s not rocket science! Let visitors on your Facebook Page know what you got right on Facebook!

Add a tab and add your menu to the tab. Want to save more time? Use the TabSite Website ReSizer and simply add your existing menu from your website to a Facebook tab! Why? It saves time! Update your menu on your website and the tab is updated automatically since it’s the same page, just on Facebook! Website ReSizer allows the powerful advantage of making any website page fit perfectly in a tab.

Then share updates to your menu via a post on Facebook and link to the tab via a Smart URL (mobile friendly) to take visitors direct to the tab!

4. Offer Reservations via a Facebook Tab

Does Friday evening get packed at your hot spot? Do you already offer reservations via your website? Then simply bring it into Facebook for use! Same as the menu tab above, create a tab and use the Website ReSizer app to bring your web reservations page into Facebook for use. Then post about it in the news feed before prime time and get customers used to coming to your page on Facebook to make their reservations! Sweetness!

This adds a great dimension of functionality to your fan page. When people are on Facebook, they want to stay on Facebook, and this allows them to do so by giving them the information and tools right on the Facebook page tab.

5. Use Facebook Check Ins and Check In Deals

Restaurants can have the Check In feature enabled, which is valuable to get extra exposure on Facebook!

Facebook offers quite a variety of page category options. One of the biggest features that any local business should take advantage of is the Check In option.

This will allow users to check into your location, which is helpful for at least two reasons. First, it can raise awareness of your business and location with friends of the user checking in. Second, check ins can be part of Graph Search results, so that if a Facebook user is searching for a restaurant in Chicago that friends have visited, check ins appear in results.

Graph Search result with check-ins of friends listed.

To check or change your Page category, go to the Admin Panel and select Edit Settings. Then go to Basic Information, and find Category at the top of the list.

Check In Deals

A big bonus that Facebook offers is ability for locations with Check In feature to offer a deal for visitors checking in. This is a great way to generate some buzz and get more exposure leading to more customers. (Note: I’ve seen that they are not available in some countries).

What is a Check-in Deal?

A Check-in Deal is a way to offer an incentive to customers to check-in to your business on Facebook with their mobile devices. When they check-in, you can offer any of the following Deals in exchange:

Individual: Offer a discount to an individual for simply checking in.

Loyalty: Offer a discount or freebie for checking in a certain number of times.

Friend: Offer a Deal to groups of friends who check-in together.

Charity: A check-in results in a donation to the specified charity.

Access Deals in your Page Admin area:

Check In Offer Deal Types as Shown in Page Admin

6. Offer a Special Deal for Email Sign-ups via a Facebook Tab

By adding a Email sign-up tab to your Facebook page and making users aware of it periodically through posts and tips, restaurants grow their email list and then reach potential buyers and sellers via this means as well. This is critical! Email continues to be a primary marketing success method. When it gets into the inbox, it gets attention.

Email marketing continues to provide value to those who use it by creating a routine of regular information and education that is in the inbox! With integration’s for tabs from services like MailChimp and Constant Contact among others, having a custom tab for email sign-ups is a snap! More powerful still than a basic sign-up form is to create incentive by offering some of value, a free guide, offer, or resource, that is the motivator that is shared to encourage users to opt-in.

Deal Download Offer Tab options >>

Together these tips implemented and carried out with regular news feed updates on your restaurant fan page can be a valuable method of marketing to grow more customers!

What about your business? Most of these tips can also apply to other industries as well! Do you have other ideas to add to the mix?

Engagement App, Facebook, facebook app, facebook apps, facebook fan page, facebook for restaurants, Facebook Marketing, facebook pages, facebook tabs, Social MediaJuly 16, 2013