Coundown to Mandatory Changes in Facebook for Businesses

March 12, 2012 - PRLog -- The social media giant, Facebook, announced at its recent user marketing conference that it will be systematically changing the layout of all “Fan Pages” on March 30, 2012.  The change to the unified “Timeline” structure is designed to allow business more opportunities for branding and advertising.   The new Timeline encourages the global shift in marketing communications from talking at customers to being part of a full conversation.

A strong emphasis is being placed on which posts and images will be displayed the Timeline.  The emphasis is strengthened through paid advertising opportunities.

The new Timeline structure will dramatically change how fans interact with brands and organizations on Facebook.  For example, the left vertical image that many marketers rely on is now changed to a prominently placed extra-wide horizontal banner.  This will allow for more screen space to be dedicated to branding.  Additional drastic layout changes are being made to enable new paid advertising opportunities – including the downgrading of “fan-gating” capabilities.

New paid advertising opportunities will be available for businesses to take advantage of such as display ads, pay-per-click and reach generators.  Unfortunately, most advertising opportunities are only available to deep pocketed marketers.

As businesses and professionals scramble to make proactive changes before March 30th, many are running into known Facebook bug issues.  Although most have been fixed, some are expected to linger following the changeover.

In response to the upcoming changes 2 Jos Creative, a social media marketing & online advertising agency headquartered in Clearwater, FL, has launched a series of short social media how-to workshops for the do-it-yourselfer.  The workshops are designed to help guide the busy business owner, professional and non-profit organizer to get the most from their Facebook fan pages and understand these changes.  Workshop signups are available through their website at www.2joscreative.com/courselist.html look for workshop# SM-101 Social Media Uncovered.   The cost is $49 and includes an information packed workbook.

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A full service social media and online advertising agency that offers workshops and full service packages for small businesses or professionals. Assisting professionals & businesses to establish their personal brand to demonstrate expertise/credibility.