This Friday, March 30^th, Facebook Timeline will roll out and change the way your Facebook page looks and is organized.  Timeline consists of a large horizontal image and a reverse-chronological display of a user’s history on Facebook and other life events, replacing and combining a user’s Facebook Wall and Profile.

As photographers, we love the idea of a big bold image being emphasized on Facebook’s latest adaptation.  There are a number of artistic, creative and original ways in which Timeline will allow you to showcase yourself, your business or organization.

There are some things to consider, though, before Timeline hits your Facebook account, so take a moment to learn these new features.

Timeline will show the story of your life, as you choose to tell it, or as Facebook has recorded it, in a visual, scrolling, reverse-chronologically ordered timeline. In effect, an online scrapbook consisting of your past postings and images.

First , some terminology we’ll be using:

-Cover photo is the large image at the top of your Timeline page.

-Profile Picture is the smaller square image that overlays the cover photo in the bottom left corner.

- App Images – Directly below the cover photo there are pictures for any apps/tabs/pages you have added.

Timeline should be designed differently for businesses vs. your personal page.

Business Timeline

As a business or non-profit organization, there are endless possibilities with this new format. First consider what you are trying to promote.  Generally speaking, keeping things simple and promoting one offer or product is best.  Be sure that you are consistent when choosing your cover photo and that it matches your style, fonts and colors on your webpage.

Adding incentives is always great, but be aware of the rules to what can be included in your Cover Photo (see below).

For your Profile Picture, keep it straightforward, like a head shot or your logo, as a smaller image will be difficult to pick up detail.  There are some amazing creative ways to use your Profile Picture combined with your Cover Photo to really grab visitor’s attention.  Check out these really creative ideas.

Personal Timeline

Why you use Facebook will determine whether you need to consider yourself as a “brand” when designing your personal page.  If you are a photographer, realtor, salesperson or in any other profession in which you use Facebook to network, you should make certain that your personal page is professional and well organized, as well as revealing who you are.

Be creative with the cover photo by using a picture of a landscape from your favorite place, something you love to do, or even you lying in a hammock.  The whole idea behind Timeline is it should be interesting, a place for self-expression, where you can showcase your personality.

 Facebook Timeline Image Design Specs:

• Cover photo: 851 x 315 pixels

• Profile picture: 180 x 180 pixels

• App image: 111 x 74 pixels

Rules for Cover Photo regarding branding:

Brands MAY NOT use the cover photo to:

•Advertise discounts and deals

•Point to the “like” button with an arrow, or suggest that fans “like” the page

•Suggest calls to action of any kind

•Post contact information (email address, physical address, phone number)

Brands MAY use the cover photo to:

•Express creativity about brand or product

•Show product being used

•Change the image as often as they’d like

We have just noted some of the basics, you can find detailed Facebook Timeline information at this link: http://ads.ak.facebook.com/ads/FacebookAds/Pages_Product_Guide_022812.pdf

Once you begin using Timeline be sure to preview what you have done before it goes live. Now go out and have get creative and have fun.

Looking for a great photo?

We are encouraging our business clients to use this mandatory change to Facebook Timeline to update their business’s images and appearance with a big bold image that really showcases what they have to offer.  We’ve even put together these affordable and easy Facebook Timeline photo packages for the month of April for northern Colorado  businesses.

$75.00

•30 min unlimited business photo session – you set it up, we’ll shoot it; merchandise, food & menu items, locations, employees – you choose.

•You get online viewing of unedited low resolution images.

•You choose one Timeline image (link) for your business’s Facebook page, which our studio will professionally edit, touch up and properly size.  We will electronically deliver a high resolution digital image that you have the full photo rights to.  Additional images are also available for purchase at a discounted business rate.

• Call our studio at 970-472-1661 to schedule an appointment. We’ll need half of the cost of the Facebook Timeline Image Session when you call, to hold your appointment.

$180.00

•60 min unlimited business photo session – you set it up, we’ll shoot it; merchandise, food & menu items, locations, employees – you choose.

•You get online viewing of unedited low resolution images.

•You choose one Timeline image (link) for your business’s Facebook page, which our studio will professionally edit, touch up and properly size.  We will electronically deliver a high resolution digital image that you have the full photo rights to.

•Our Studio will also set up and capture professional head shots for up to 6 employees.

•You will also receive 10 web quality images of your choice in addition to your facebook timeline image.

•Call our studio at 970-472-1661 to schedule an appointment. We’ll need half of the cost of the Facebook Timeline Image Session when you call, to hold your appointment.

Have something special in mind?  Call us and we’ll be happy to come up with a custom package to get the image you need to showcase your business’ persona!

BWNFC Headshots

We’re so excited our business headshots will be featured in the Business Women’s Network of Fort Collins business directory!  This is an amazing group of women. www.bwnfc.org