Facebook launched Timeline in February 2012 and with it came the cover photo. Unbeknownst to many, Facebook had strict rules for business pages and how they implemented these cover photos. In recent months, Facebook has loosened the reins on their cover photo restrictions, allowing you more freedom to make the most of this feature. Facebook states, quite explicitly, their rules for Cover photos.
All covers are public. This means that anyone who visits your Page will be able to see your cover. Covers can’t be deceptive, misleading, or infringe on anyone else’s copyright. You may not encourage people to upload your cover to their personal timelines. Covers may not include images with more than 20% text.
Be sure you’re making the most of your cover photo with these 4 tips:
1. Use your cover to generate leads.
What are you intending to DO with your Facebook page? Are you releasing a product? Raising money? Offering an eBook? A coupon? Add a link to your cover photo description that allows folks to click through to something that could potentially bring in new leads. Remember that your cover photo cannot contain more than 20% text, so be succinct and direct.
2. Direct fans to a specific app.
With North Social’s apps you can run promotions, giveaways, create fan-gated content, and build email lists. Now that Facebook has changed its rules, you can use your cover photo to direct users to a specific app!
Your business page can have several apps installed, but only 3 of them will sit “above the fold”. These apps sit just below the cover photo, the perfect positioning to direct users to click. Use your cover photo to direct people to “Enter our Contest!” then input an arrow that points to your app. Makes it clean and simple, with little room for confusion.
Remember: If you don’t spread the word about your promotion, no one will know what you’re doing.
3. Encourage your fans to “like” you.
Seems simple enough, but prompting users to like your page, and giving them incentive to do so will really boost your page and your fan engagement.
When a user travels to your page, they can view most of your content, and can be easily distracted by the comments, photos or about section that they neglect to like your page. Liking your page will increase the likelihood that your fans see what you post about and keep them coming back. Although this Call to Action was previously prohibited, the change Facebook has made will allow you to encourage your soon-to-be fans.
Keep it simple with “Like our Page!” and perhaps a reason WHY they should like your page, if you think they need an extra push. Think about what you post about- do you reveal exclusive offers or discounts? Do you consistently update your following on service updates? Or do you run awesome giveaways? Let ‘em know!
4. Direct fans to your site.
Your website is likely the primary spot for your company’s content, so you can use your cover photo to direct users there and get the information they need. You can send your existing and potential fans to your site, or a specific portion of your site to drive traffic, sales and leads.
Quite honestly, people often need a bit of direction. Just as you ask them to like your page, ask them to share your posts, buy your product or click a link. You want to them navigate to your page and stay on your page. Using the cover photo as a Call-to-Action encourages just that. They aren’t just lingering on your wall, they are directed to take action.
Your cover photo can be a great marketing tool, so take advantage of the updates that Facebook has made and switch up your cover photo. Set a goal- change it Monthly? Bi-weekly? You will be impressed by the response it makes.
Questions about our apps? Contact us via www.socialincite.com.au
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