New Facebook Fan Page CHANGES.. Why It’s Good News For Entrepreneurs!

Facebook has just made a big change to their Fan Pages. MASSIVE change!

Coming soon, you will have no choice but to change your page layout to the “Timeline” format.

And some marketers are absolutely freaking out over the changes. From the panic in their emails and posts, you would think their family has just been kidnapped.

But secretly (ok, maybe not so secretly), I’m pretty happy about the new Facebook changes.

Here are a few of the big changes to the new Facebook Fan Page

• All pages will soon change over to the “Timeline” format
• No more sending people to custom tabs
• No more custom landing pages (essentially, no way to create a squeeze page on Facebook)
• Your new header cannot have, according to Facebook, “no purchase info, no contact info, no reference to “like” or “share”, no coupons, etc.

Now, why should YOU be happy about these new massive sweeping changes?

FORCES YOU TO BUILD A “REAL” BUSINESS

I’ve been saying for YEARS that your success should NOT rely entirely on your ability to create a “slick” squeeze page or some underground marketing tactic you picked up in a “guru” course or an e-book.

Why? Because it’s all built on a very thin foundation.

Facebook (just like any of these sites or resources), is just a TOOL – it’s NOT your business. That’s a BIG difference.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t try to be the best marketer possible and learn all of the cool tactics. BUT, I am saying that should not be your main focus. It should be another tool in your toolbox.

And if Facebook went away tomorrow – your business shouldn’t skip a beat.

So this change FORCES you to focus on the right stuff!

Too many wannabe entrepreneurs focus 95% of their energy on the latest bullshit tactic that come down the pike. And when you pour all of your effort into the wrong thing – your business is “thin”. Very thin. And a thin business never lasts. And when it all falls apart, you are struggling looking for the “next big thing”.

Don’t believe me?

Just ask the marketers, who were making big bucks just 24 months ago and now laying off their staff and struggling mightily, how those “tactics” are working for them now?

And compare that to other people, in the same space, like myself, Chris Farrell, Lewis Howes, Andrew Lock, Marie Forleo, Stu McLaren, David Frey and dozens more who find their businesses GROWING and THRIVING!

In other words, there’s no substance to those businesses that rely solely on tactics, manipulation and puffery.

You should be spending that time on creating the best products and services available. Value that is so good – people become lifelong raving fans.

Period. End of f*cking story. That’s it.

Got it? Is it sinking in yet?

How many times do I have to say the same thing and people still ask things like “Ok Ryan, but what about article spinning?” or “Should I buy CommissionTeaBag? It can create 200 shitty articles a week for me!”.

Really? Seriously?

Its like a riddle “If no one sees or cares about your shitty spun article – does it even exist?”.

Deep, huh?

Want a better idea?

Spend that time ANSWERING BLOG POST COMMENTS or FACEBOOK COMMENTS from people who are really interested in you — you f*cking moron!

What is wrong with you people?

Seriously, where did you grow up and learn how to treat people? I swear some of these “marketers” must have no soul or they just don’t care about anyone but themselves.

If someone walks up to you and asks you a question – do you ignore them? No, you give them the courtesy of a reply.

It’s like spending your entire day on the highway with a big sign that says “come to the side of the road for a free book” and when someone pulls their car over asks you about the book – you just ignore them and wonder if your sign should have more glitter? Or should be written in red, tahoma bold font?

And you just ignored the one person who was actually interested!

That’s how you use Facebook- you engage and have a conversation. You don’t just rely on turning it into a squeeze page or the next way to turn a “like” into an upsell.

There you go, that’s your next Facebook product – that will be $2,000 please

THE FIELD IS BEING LEVELED…

Whether you like it or not, this change to the Facebook Fan Page is just the beginning.

For the most part, Google doesn’t allow squeeze pages in many niche markets (yes, there are exceptions to this rule).

Facebook and Google are the two most popular web sites in the world. And right behind them is YouTube (yes, also owned by Google).

If your marketing even smells of a “slick salesperson” – people will start calling you a “scam”. Right or wrong, like it or not, it’s the new reality.

The public is getting sick of the old-school, in-your-face sales and marketing. So is Facebook and so is Google. And if you continue to rely on that for your online business, you will be left in the dust.

The entrepreneurs who connect and build long-term deep relationships by being prolific and providing massive value will survive. Period.

SITTING BACK AND SMILING

While the marketers are panicking and trying to figure out ways to turn the “profile pic” on Facebook to a “like” button – I am sitting back and smiling…

I’m smiling because of the years of blood, sweat and tears I’ve put into my business continue to pay off (and will continue to pay off for years to come).

I’m smiling because my subscribers and clients know I really DO  care about them and their success (and I will protect them from the rest of the crap online).

I’m smiling because my clients who have been following what I’ve been teaching for over a decade are also NOT nervous about the changes. Not even one bit. In fact, their businesses are also growing.

And I’m smiling because — it feels pretty damn good to be right

@rlmosca .. that was a bit of a rant, but I love your message!!  (And that is coming from an old school marketer)

It’s not just a problem with focusing on the “new” tools but also putting the whole of your business into what some have called “rented” land. 

Facebook is going to make changes. Google+ is going to make changes. Pinterest is going to make changes. Because they can and if they want to survive and grow, they need to evolve. But this is also why people need to remember to give proper focus to their websites and/or blog because it’s what they can control most. Those other sites have their limitations but you have to play by their rules. If you put more into generating quality content instead of worrying so much about how many Fans you have, you’re on the right track.

When you do that, the fact that other channels make changes is just something where you roll with the punches and it’s less of a big deal. I certainly don’t think it’s anything to freak out about.

NEW UPDATE

After further research we have discovered the following info:

Major changes include no default landing tabs, wider 810px custom tabs, fan page messaging and admin panel! Yes, they are stunning.

Timeline on Fan Pages, 6 Things You Need to Know

1. Default Landing Tabs are Gone, Tabs now 810px Wide:

Facebook has removed the ability to create a default landing tab. However, you can still create fan gates. The size of the new tabs is 810px. If you are designing new tabs, be sure to design to this width.

2. Photos, Likes, and Apps at Top of Page:

Photos, likes and apps are now at the top of your Page. Photos show in the first spot, but you can change the order of everything else so people see what matters most. You can show a maximum number of 12 apps, so make sure to put your most important ones first.

3.  Pin your favorite post to the top

Hover over a story and click on the star ( star icon ) to make it wider, or on the pencil ( pencil icon ) to pin it to the top of your Page, hide or delete it entirely.

4. New Administrator Panel

Keep track of your activity on your Page from the admin panel. Respond when people write on your Page timeline, and view your latest insights.
Visit your activity log to review all your posts and activity.

5.  Fan Page Messages:

Now people can contact you privately using messages. Notifications about new messages will appear right in your admin panel.

6. Cover Photo

The cover photo can be up to 850px by 315px but may NOT contain the following:

Price or purchase information, such as “40% off” or “Download it at our website”.

Contact information, such as web address, email, mailing address or other information intended for your Page’s About section.

References to user interface elements, such as Like or Share, or any other Facebook site features.

Calls to action, such as “Get it now” or “Tell your friends”.

I am now loving the new Fan Page Format,

Here is an example of a new Timeline Page from Macy’s

One of the interesting things for us as marketers and app developers is the new app canvas at the moment doesn’t have ads or other distractions.  This is an incredible change if it holds.  Since we no longer have a default tab to work with, it maybe in order to give app developers an opportunity to create a better user experience within the apps.

Here is an example of Macy’s Ideology Dance Contest App

Disclaimer…

It seems I cut off the last line in my original post, the rant and content was from my fellow marketer Ryan Shaw.

@rlmosca Just had to reply to your post. I laughed and laughed reading this. I’m very new to social media and facebook so I didn’t get all your references but your message just cracked me up. It seems obvious that our content should be king and that we should be providing the best service possible for what we do and then engage our fans based on what they need and are interested in.

I don’t have an opinion yet on the change because we have only had our facebook page for 6 months or so. We have put a lot of work into our page but I’m hopeful that we can provide our followers with the same kind of content we are now – videos, articles, tips, etc. 

I’m going to look at the new setup and start working on our changes soon. Thanks for the “rant”.

Hello Rick, do you know if the pinned post will be something that can be easily created into a sponsored story from the admin panel? Are sponsored stories going to change at all in the new layout? Inquiring minds and all that!

@rlmosca Thank you! I’m actually working on our FB page right now, but creating posts… not researching the new look!

@ferrisstith @samanthagentile @pegsousa @danonbranding @topmarkmedias @lauranugent @jasonreilly

Check out the Facebook Video tutorials for more info on the new features….
https://www.facebook.com/business/fmc

@rlmosca  Thanks a bunch Rick for the link

@rolmosca Awesome link! Thank you! Something to watch during dinner!

@topmarkmedias how can I help?  Personally, I actually like the new format.  I have a nice big image at the top of my web company page and its easy to custom the nice big icons at the top of the timeline.  I also like the new wider space available on the custom pages.

Regarding building a page on facebook… I dont know about everyone, but I know that many people build pages on their, to act as a “funnel” to their main website (I’ve seen a lot of those).  So, the rant above is all good, but, to me, its wise to use funnels…. (especially free ones).

So, time will tell (excuse the pun) as to the need that people will see for custom pages in facebook…  I still see the need because facebook pages are an easy way to actually provide support for products too (I’ve seen a few of those pages) and it appears that Coca cola and the other big guys, didnt kill their custom tabs.

The main advantage now with iwipa, is that we have tabs. So thats a nice thing.

Anyway, if I can help with something let me know.

@rlmosca Yep, I watched the whole FMC event all day today and got the full scope of what’s to come

@vincentedwards True. But businesses can’t really expect to hide their downfalls anymore. It’s a much more open and transparent environment than it was before. Yes, some businesses will not like that, just as some people will not admit their mistakes and learn from them. 

I’m with you on seeing if the pros outweigh the cons. It’s a lot of big changes, and businesses will have to accept and adapt to them if they want to continue to use Facebook effectively.

@rlmosca thanks for useful stuff. I like most new admin panel, meant for real business ROI measurement 

Thanks @rlmosca – this Hubspot article looks great!  I have also collected other articles and links for the new Facebook timeline and I know what I’m doing this weekend!  LOL

Actually having just gone and spent some time with the FB changes videos I think some of the changes will be terrific  I love the big new Cover, a real opportunity to tell your story.

Now it will be a challenge just to figure out what to set up during March on my Facebook page as I was just getting set for a whole product launch around my design for the current FB pages