On February 2 Facebook released Timelines for Brand Pages, altering Brand Pages to look more like personal profiles with a scrapbook-type layout.

The new Timeline layout does not go live until March 30, but until then you can preview the new format to familiarise yourself with it and curate your Timeline.

Before publishing, be sure to consider the following tips on the new features that Timeline brings:

1. Cover photo:   Pick an eye-catching photo that captures your brand

The Cover photo is an 851 x 315 pixel banner at the top of your Facebook Page.

With Timelines you are no longer able to set tabs as default landing pages, so the Cover photo will be the primary tool to brand your Page and the first thing seen by every person who visits your Timeline. This should be an eye-catching photo that captures your brand and entices users to want to see more of your Page.

You may think the cover photo is a great way to promote a special offer or encourage users to like your page, but it's important to note that Facebook has placed restrictions on this image so it cannot be used as an advertisement. Use of the cover photo to promote discounts and Like Us on the cover photo is prohibited by Facebook at this time.

Beyond just standard brand imagery, consider making your cover image dynamic throughout the year to highlight the current season or events occurring on property.

2.  Apps:  Prioritise your apps, which you most want users to interact with

In the new Timeline layout Page apps have been moved from a list in the left hand column to a menu below the Cover photo.

Each app is represented by a 110x74 pixels photo or icon, much larger than the small icons used in the old layout. While these larger icons give you more space to brand your apps, they also only leave enough space to feature four apps before users have to click to see more. Since the Photos app is static and can't be moved, that gives brands three more spaces to display their apps prominently above the fold.

Due to this change it will be important to arrange your current apps to prioritize those which you most want users to interact within the top four apps and to consider running Facebook Advertising to drive users into your page and encourage engagement.

3. Messages:  Use Messages as a customer service tool and respond to them as quickly as public customer service posts   

Timelines allow users to send private messages directly to your Page, an option that wasn't available previously.

Full story:

www.webintravel.com/blog/eight-tips-on-how-to-set-up-your-hotels-facebook-timeline_3049