So Your Business has Moved to Facebook Timeline… Now What?

Facebook, it’s efforts to move all accounts to Timeline, made the switch for business accounts effective on March 30th. So, what does that mean for you? You have a new cover photo, and reformatted your logo into a square… but now what? How can you make Timeline actually into a timeline?

If you have already switched to the new Facebook format on your personal account you may have noticed that there are a number of “Milestones” options available so that you can track the major changes and events in your life. Similarly, you can add milestones to your business page as well!

These markers will help fans, guests and friends help get to know the company and get familiar with its history. These events are also customizable so you can add dates, pictures and a short description. Timeline has the ability to give your business a life, and a personality – showing the beginning or founding, subsequent growth, and all the landmarks from then until now.

Below are a few ideas to get you started:

The Beginning:

• When was your business founded/started/opening? If you are not the original founder of the business, would you prefer that the Timeline begin when you gained control?
• Beginning construction?
• First company vehicle?
• Ribbon cutting?
• First customers/clients/guests?

Growth:
• Important/notable visitors or customers?
• Large events/functions that your business hosted or supported in a major way?
• What major expansions/renovations have occurred?
• Have you added locations?
• Accreditations? Recognitions? Endorsements?
• Professional organizations/memberships?
• Features in publications? Dates?
• Community involvement?

In addition to Milestones, there are also Highlights. You can highlight a post by clicking the star in the top right-hand corner of the content box. Similar to milestones, these posts also take up the entire portion of the screen as opposed to being relegated to either the right or left of the Timeline. This is a good place to use some of the pictures that you might have saved up, recent or historical, that don’t necessarily warrant a milestone but are nevertheless important, relevant, or are simply a good photograph.

Facebook’s new format may seem daunting at first but, with a few simple steps, it can really help your business stand out!

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This article was written by Bethany Snow – Online Marketing Strategist at Dream Local Digital. Bethany is a proud Maine native and is excited about the opportunity to support local businesses. After graduating Scarborough High School in 2002 she enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for five years at bases from California to Korea. In 2010 she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Mount Holyoke College and began working with the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine. These diverse experiences allow for a fresh perspective and an enthusiasm for working with people and businesses.