Because more and more people and businesses join social media networks everyday, it is increasingly important to optimize your social profiles. In the past you have heard us talking about how to optimize your LinkedIn profile and best practices for updating your Twitter profile, so now it is Facebook’s turn! And what better time than the present, with Facebook’s new redesigned Pages coming soon.
With over 1.3 billion users, Facebook is a powerhouse in the social-sphere. Think that your target audience is not on Facebook? Think again. “Some 45% of internet users age 65 or older now use Facebook, up from 35% who did so in late 2012,” and “60% of internet users age 50-64 use Facebook regularly.” Also, Facebook is continuing to collect user data that is delivering explosive results to small business marketers.
But before you can begin to utilize the full power of Facebook for your business, you must start with the basics: optimizing your Fan Page. Here’s how:
1. Update Your Company Info
Be sure all the information on your profile is current; you can view this information in the About section. Your About section is indexed by searched engines, like Google and Bing, and it’s also indexed by Facebook for Graph Search. Are your keywords included in both the Short and Long Descriptions? Have you totally filled in Dates, Awards, your Mission and Products? Are all your website links correctly displayed? This is a great time to freshen up this information and be sure it is fully complete.
Also, don’t forget to add in your location, and it will show up on an integrated map feature of Facebook.
Warning: When this map feature is enabled, Facebook’s five-star rating system is automatically turned on also. Because this could be considered a recommendation of sorts, it could go against your compliance regulations, depending on your affiliation. BE SURE to check with your compliance department before enabling this feature!
Lastly, encourage clients to Check In by offering a fun incentive!
2. Utilize Visual Space
Visuals are very important in our fast-paced world. Make sure your visuals can pass the 2-second rule (convey a message in the blink of an eye).
- The Timeline Cover Image is sized at 851 px x 315 px. We recommend changing it regularly to keep things interesting. While you cannot have it directly link to an external page, you can add a link in the description of the image. Use this space to announce special promotions or events.
- Your Profile Image is the image that will show up next to all of your posts and represent your company. Make sure it is succinct with your Timeline Cover and fits well in the space. The size of this image should be 180 px x 180 px.
- Tab cover images are another place where you can utilize the visual space currently (*warning, they may be hidden when your Facebook Fan Page is rolled over to the new design, discussed below). Big brands take advantage of this visual real estate by customizing the images with their colors and fonts.
3. Utilize Additional Features
Facebook has been slowly rolling out a few other really neat features; the Replies feature (under Manage Permissions), Pages to Watch (to see how the competition is doing), the ability to receive notifications (under Your Settings) and to keep track of who is posting on the page for your company (automatic). They were all designed to help you as a business page manager, so take advantage!
4. Watch for New Features
Last week Facebook announced that they would begin rolling out their newly redesigned Facebook Pages, in order to “make it easier for people to find the information they want and help Page admins find the tools they use most.” This is going to be a significant aesthetic change, so keep your eyes peeled for ways to make the most of the redesign. The image below is what the new pages are suggested to look like -
If you’re excited about the new Facebook Page design, click the “Join Waitlist” button on your page.
Optimize your profile first, then growing that audience and those relationships will become significantly easier!
Like Financial Social Media’s Facebook Page for updates on how to optimize your new page once the rollout happens!
Have you found that other tricks help your Facebook profile stand out? Let us know!
Amy McIlwain
@amymcilwain
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Facebook is one of the biggest social media networks which are used today for getting updates what is happening around the world. If you are running small business then it is very important for you to have company’s fan page on Facebook and update your status regularly so that your followers come to know what is happening in your industry. On the other hand, it is a big source for capturing more traffic which will lead to more customers and finally business development. Your guidelines and tips for optimizing company’s Facebook fan page are really outstanding