One constant about Social Media – it’s always changing.

Recently, Facebook announced there is a new look-and-feel and functionality about the “Fan” pages (also known as Official pages, LIKE pages and Business pages). Here’s an overview:

#1 PHOTOS:

  • The most recent photos that you post to your Wall or photos that you tag your Page in will appear here. This area will not include any photos posted by your fans.
  • To hide a photo, roll over it and click X.



Fairly explanatory: the new look-and-feel will be similar to your personal pages with images featured at the top area of your screen.

#2 NAVIGATION

Navigation Where People Expect It

  • Navigation links are now on the left, just like on people’s profiles.

#3 WALL FILTERS

  • You now have two Wall filters. You can show posts by your page and top posts from Everyone, a new way for people to see the most interesting stories first. As an admin, you’ll have additional filters for viewing posts on your page.
  • To set a default filter for your Wall, go to Edit Page
  • Interesting: You can choose to showcase posts depending on the top number of responses or by your most recent status update. I recommend ensuring it’s set for the most recent status update so no one misses your latest post.

    #4 ADMIN VIEW

    Use Facebook as Your Page

    • You now have the flexibility to interact with the other areas of Facebook as a page.
    • Get notifications when fans interact with your page or posts
    • See activity from the pages you like in your news feed
    • Like other pages and feature them on your page
    • Make comments as your page on other pages
    • To try this new feature, you can click the link here or go to Account above and select Use Facebook as Page.
    • 

    This is the exciting news! Now, you can receive notifications (email updates) when one of your “Fans”/followers/”likers” posts something on your LIKE page.

    You can also comment on other Facebook LIKE pages as your brand, or from your personal page. In the past, you were only allowed to post and LIKE on another business page from your personal account.

    This means within Facebook, you now can align your business with another business. To do this you have to click on “Account” and select Use Facebook as Page.

    Looking into it a bit further…you can visually add yourself as a Page Owner

    #5 NEW SETTINGS

    You can set defaults for your email notifications and how you post to your page – as yourself or your page. You can also select which featured pages appear in the left column.
    • To manage your settings for email and posting preferences, go to Edit Page and Your Settings. To select which pages appear in Likes, go to Edit Page and Featured.

    Under the “notifications” area, click on the link: “change email settings for individual pages”

     

    Final thought: Most people HATE it when Facebook makes changes. I’m not crazy about the photos layout at the top, but I like being able to interact with other businesses on behalf of my brand. I also love that Facebook will now notify me when I’ve received a post to my PUNCH!media business page.

    What do you think? Good? Bad? Meh?

    About Leslie Hughes

    Leslie Hughes is a LinkedIn Optimization Specialist, Professor of Social Media, Corporate Trainer, Principal of PUNCH!media and author of “CREATE. CONNECT. CONVERT” Leslie was called a "Social Media Guru" by CBC Radio and was featured on CTV’s “The Social” discussing how to manage your digital identity. Leslie has been working in digital marketing since 1997 and founded PUNCH!media in 2009. PUNCH!media clients include Investment Planning Counsel, Guardian Life Insurance Company of America and TVO. PUNCH!media's goal is to empower through education and help executives gain confidence in their online presence so you convert higher-paying clients. www.punchmedia.ca

    2 Comments

    1. Dan del Villano on February 22, 2011 at 3:27 am

      I like some of the changes and will get used to the rest.

      But for the life of me, I cannot figure out how (under your point 3) to have the filter set to show most recent status update rather than most commented on.

      And I have to admit that this latest change has convinced us that we need to have our own website instead of being solely at the mercy of Facebook.

      – Dan



      • punchmedia on February 22, 2011 at 10:37 am

        You are absolutely right Dan. Some of these changes make some of the functionality “hidden”. It took me a while to “dig” but I think I have the answer you are looking for.

        To edit the settings click on “Edit Info” at the top of the page.

        Down the left-hand navigation bar, click on “manage permissions”

        For the field that says “Wall Tab Shows” – ensure it says “Everyone” and I’ve also clicked on the check box that says “Expand comments on stories”.

        I hope this helps.

        To your other point, I definitely think all businesses need to have a website AND a Social Media presence. While Facebook has over 500 million people, there still are people who aren’t comfortable/don’t like using sites like these.

        If you don’t have a website/blog, you’re missing out on an opportunity to reach those people.

        Thanks again for your post, Dan!