FACEBOOK COVER PHOTOS: NEW RULES, NEW OPPORTUNITIES

June 5, 2013 mariekazalia 2 Comments

by Barbra Drizin, Start From Scratch Social Media

www.facebook.com/startfromscratchsocialmedia

The FACEBOOK COVER PHOTO for your business page is the viewer’s first impression of who you are, what you do, and how to contact you.

Previously, there were many limitations on what could be included in cover photos. However, now this huge piece of “real estate” is THE place to introduce, market, and brand.

And, ever since Facebook removed the ability to set a custom landing tab, your cover photo is the most important place to drive traffic and awareness.

NEW RULES:

The new cover photo rule is that 20% of your cover photo may be TEXT. This gives permission for highlighting:

Your Website

Your contact information Your tag line Promotions

Purchase information or special offers Calls to Action

I also suggest rotating your cover photo each month, since an “updated” cover photo appears in the newsfeed of the people who have “liked” your page, and you have another excellent opportunity to stay in front of your audience.

FACEBOOK ADS:

Do you know how to use Facebook Ads?

This benefit is magnified as Facebook has released a new “Page LIKE” ad that includes the brand’s cover photo. Facebook Ads present a huge opportunity to carry a brand message from the Facebook page to the newsfeed with optimal impact.

Facebook Ads also allows you to target the exact demographics of your audience!

For example, client – artist www.facebook.com/barbararachko went from 600 likes to over 2000 likes using targeted ads…all in a matter of weeks!

CONTENT STRATEGY:

Photos are now the #1 content strategy. Facebook continues its evolution to become a more visual platform. Therefore, brands must craft posts to ensure they are visually powerful. Your cover photo is the “main event” of this strategy.

FACEBOOK VOCABULARY:

NEWSFEED: the posts of the PEOPLE who are you friends AND the posts of the PAGES you have liked. When you post on your Facebook Business Page, the post appears on the newsfeed of those who have “LIKED” your page.

COVER PHOTO SIZE

Your cover photo is 851 x 315 pixels. With photoshop or other photo editors, you can add text. Remember not to put text where your profile picture will obscure it.

Want to optimize your Facebook Business page? Learn how to use Facebook Ads? Barbra Drizin is a social media educator, trainer and manager. Her business is

“Start from Scratch Social Media” www.facebook.com/startfromscratchsocialmedia.

Barbra especially assists those who may be ‘resistant, reluctant, or intimidated’ with the world of social media by starting with the basics and going beyond. Her goal is for you to be confident and comfortable with the rewards and benefits of the virtual world! Barbara targets solopreneurs, artists, and alternative health practitioners. Contact Barbra at barbra@socialmediaeducators.com.

Barbra meets with you personally and by Skype