Facebook is rolling out cover images and time lines for "fan" pages

You may have noticed that Facebook is allowing users to experiment with "covers" for their "fan pages". 

Some people are, of course, crying foul,l as if they have a say so in what the Facebook organization can and can not do to enhance their bottom line. Rather than cry, or try to fight the change, I love the idea and so should you (business person). First of all, Facebook's massive reach is a great free advertising outlet to your business. But now with the introduction of Fan Page Covers for business, we actually have a larger slice of Facebook's real estate!!! And that my friend is worth it's weight in gold.

With the new covers, a business gets to add an 851x315 massive banner to their front page. This is similar to the cover profile pages introduced a few months back for personal pages. Some do not like the idea of creating a timeline (it's like a family tree, or a visual representation of your businesses history). But I'm a glass half full type of guy and do like this timeline. This is especially good during today's economic hard times. In the 1980's it was all about flaunting ones wealth. But today, since so many people are hurting that flaunting of wealth is not very well received. Think Mitt Romney and how he is perceived because of they way he flaunts his wealth. But suppose Mr. Romney had a Facebook business (fan) page which had a timeline. Say the timeline showed how he started his company with just a few thousands dollars and a great idea and it became a fortune 500 company. People's perception may be different because in the USA we all love a good under dog story. 

So the timeline can show how a person with a good idea turns a grappling to stay afloat business in to a very successful business. I like that, I think it lends to the humanization of some big companies. And I am sure there are some very interesting rags-to-riches stories that will be exposed.

On the other side of the coin, if a person really feels adamant about not using the timeline feature (which is compulsory after March 29, 2012), they can choose not to use Facebook.

The reality of the situation is that business, and how people interact with them has changed forever. Hard sales, or the old in your face type selling just does not work in this the digital age. Engagement and interacting with consumers is the new order of the day.

Change is always hard, but with change comes progress. All we have to do is look back to where civilization was even 100 years ago and where we are today. Seriously, would you like to go back in time to when we did not have computers, Google or Facebook? I know I wouldn't.

Free advertising on Facebook, the world's largest online social network! Just beware, because the Facebook policy is very clear that selling, or sales pitches are not allowed on the cover image. But this concept is just being rolled out, and I am sure that there will be some very creative ways to get your brand noticed without breaking Facebook's rules.

I'd like to know how you feel about this new change, please post your comments and lets discuss.

Thanks,

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