A Community Manager's Guide to Facebook Timeline

Facebook's announcement of Timeline for Brands and the deadline of 30 days to change things over is a perfect example of how social media dictates your life.

How's that for March Madness?

Let me explain. I was having an off week the day of the fMc. I hadn't read the paper much, I wasn't reading blogs that week and work was just take each day as it comes. So between meetings, I heard first that Facebook gave brands 30 days. To do what, I didn't know because I had another meeting to go to. 

It really wasn't until Mr. Youth posted this breakdown that I a) knew what the hell was going on and 2) realized that despite every preparation, I was not ready for a complete overhaul of content strategy at this moment.

We're a few weeks off of the March 30th deadline for brands to transition on their own before they are forced to and I'm still sitting in meetings where fellow social media strategists are saying, "Well, that's the grey area right now."

It's Facebook. It's social. It's all grey area. So until March 30th, as I come across great posts, examples, helpful tips for Facebook Timeline for Brands - I'll add them here. (when I'm not knee deep in photos, content strategy or semantics for Facebook rules of engagement regarding contests)

Godspeed fellow CMs.

How Beth Kanter Redesigned her Facebook Timeline Non-profit CM's - Beth Kanter is the one to take note of and John Haydon breaks Timeline down nicely here.

Photoshop template for Cover design The NonProfit Facebook Guy is an awesome resource for all CMs.

Facebook Forces Brands On To Timeline Great breakdown of the backstory and what to take away and prep your staff for

Choosing a Cover (Facebook Guide) There are restrictions - be sure you know them. The last thing you want is for your company to be shut down on Facebook because you broke the new rules. If you need good examples of covers - Beth Kanter's Pin Board has good ones.

The Public Can See Facebook Timeline Page Insights Analytics for Facebook just got more interesting.

How to Use the New Facebook Page Admin Panel Quick how to on the new panel.

SocialBrite has three great posts - one on content strategy, one on keeping a community in a brand world and one on apps.