We’ve been learning all we can about Timeline for Brands, so we can guide you through the changes. Below are some of the highlights:

Cover Image

While existing custom tabs will still look and function as before, they will no longer be designated as “default landing tabs” and will instead show up within that panel of clickable images along the top of the Timeline. Now, all users will be sent directly to the Facebook Timeline, on which the largest branding opportunity is the Cover image:

Important to note, cover images cannot contain the following:

- Price/purchase info
- Contact info
- Calls to action
- References to FB features such as Like or Share (Yup, this means no more arrows pointing to the Like button!)

As the user’s first contact point with the brand, this cover image presents us with some unique challenges and opportunities around branding and promotion. While the custom tabs still play an important role, the emphasis is less about being that first welcoming contact point (since you can no longer set a tab as a default landing page) and more about engagement.

Some Other Cool New Features

1. User access to metrics – If a user clicks “Like”, they have access to a basic Facebook Insights dashboard: brand stats (e.g. likes, dates of highest click through rates, etc.) become visible to fans and general users alike — this is an excellent opportunity for competitive analysis of other brands’ efforts and content.

2. Option to screen and moderate all users’ comments – Rather than allowing fans free reign to comment on your page, admins have the option to have all user comments queue up for approval prior to being published — while this can be a valuable safeguard, particularly for businesses and organizations that attract very strong opinions (e.g. politics), this may not be the best option for all brands. Censorship can reflect very poorly on a brand’s authenticity!

3. Option to allow private messaging between users and the brand – Admins have the option to allow fans and other users to private message the page, much like a friend can send a private message to the inbox of another friend — a fantastic opportunity for customer service. Please note that brands cannot initiate contact, however a private conversation can occur if the user reaches out to the brand first.

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These are just some highlights of the many changes being implemented by Facebook. We can provide customized consulting and design services for these new specs and functions, and can advise on what these changes mean to your existing efforts as well as future best practices.

While these changes are certainly a departure from the previous interface and functionalities, there are a lot of opportunities to be had here! Facebook’s key reasoning behind making these changes are to necessitate more organic fan interaction, and that is precisely what has always been needed for a successful Facebook presence. These changes simply facilitate that more aggressively.

If you have any questions or concerns around the new Facebook Timeline for Brands, we’re more than happy to sit down with you! Be sure to give us a shout and we will be in touch shortly. Remember, Timeline for Brands will be enforced as of March 30, so that’s not a ton of time to familiarize yourself with the new design!

Why is this important? It is important because right now being on the first page of Google’s search results is a very good thing. Around 95% of Google’s search clicks happen on the first page. If Google implements infinite scrolling, which would make viewing additional results much easier for users, we could potentially see that number decrease, resulting in a drastic increase in clicks for lower ranking pages.

So when will Google be rolling this out? At this point the only thing Google has confirmed is that they are experimenting with infinite scrolling and have yet to comment on whether or not it will be implemented any time soon.

If you’re interested in increasing your site’s traffic or search engine rankings give us a shout. We can definitely help you out.

We found an iPhone application recently that’s really mastered the integration of social media and made it a core strength. It’s the Nike+ GPS application for runners / walkers. At only $1.99, it’s the bomb diggety. Yep, I said it, bomb diggety.

Based on this, October 17 Media has come up with a list of social media features you should try to apply to your own iPhone application:
(P.S. We do social media consulting and brainstorming if you want custom ideas… and in all honesty, we don’t cost that much either!)

• CHEER ME ON! When you start a run with the Nike+ GPS application it posts directly to your Facebook profile that you’ve started a run. Any comments or likes on that post results in a ‘cheer’ sound being played in your headphones or speakers.

  When you’re out running and hear that cheer, it motivates you to keep going and be proud of your efforts! Additionally, the longer you run the more likely you’ll get likes and comments from your friends on your status update.

  So, how can this apply to my iPhone app?
  How can you use Facebook to motivate or encourage your users? This will make them come back for more. Simple sounds are an easy way to communicate Facebook participation.

• PLAY TAG!
  Nike+ users can find their friends online and invite them to play ‘tag’. Tag can be the person with the least time, mileage or just plain old number of runs. It encourages users to interact with each other via the application and tell their running buddies about the application (i.e., Like @Tamara is doing with this blog post).

  So, how can this apply to my iPhone app?
  Think about ways in which your users can interact with each other. Camaraderie is an easy way to get them coming back for more and sharing it with potential new users. Nike could have just made a GPS application but instead they chose to allow users to engage and play games with each other. If you think outside the box, I’m sure you’ll think of something nifty too! (Or, we can help you with a social media brainstorming session)!

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Nike+ iPhone application features (according to iTunes):
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Map your runs, track your progress and get the motivation you need to go even further. Hear mid-run cheers every time your friends like or comment on your run status, or outrun them in a game of Nike+ Tag.

- Download it on the go and start running anywhere. With this app in hand, you can track every indoor and outdoor workout easily, without a sensor.

- Record your pace, distance and run route using the iPhone’s GPS and accelerometer technology so you can see your progress over time and push yourself to go even further.

- Celebrate your best runs with fun, motivational messages from Nike’s top athletes.

- Get voice feedback during your run on how you’re doing, or tap the map to see where you are.

- Quickly send each run to Nikeplus.com where you can brag to friends, join challenges, set goals and connect with the rest of the Nike+ community.

- Activate personalized PowerSongs to help you blast past your goals and records.

- Broadcast your accomplishments to the world via Facebook and Twitter.

- Keep a record of your best runs and see if you’ve got what it takes to break them.

- Localized app language support in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish.

-COMPATIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: The Nike+ GPS App is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPod touch (2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations) running iOS 4.0 or later.

- Some features such as Share Run and Cheer Me On require users to be connected to a wireless network for full functionality. Note that iPod touch does not support GPS functionality. Also, please note that continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

What does Hootsuite’s “Schedule in Bulk” feature do?
You can schedule in advance up to 50 updates from a mere text file (we use their FREE downloadable sample spreadsheet). We should mention at this point that it’s only available on the PRO plan which is pretty reasonably priced at $5.99/month. (Nope, we’re not a referral partner, go ahead and click the link and we won’t be making any money if you sign up).

When you schedule updates you can include:

• the update text (140 characters for Twitter!)
• A URL link
• Desired delivery times

Hootsuite knows that this type of scheduling is especially powerful for agencies and marketing departments (like our Vancouver based social media agency, October 17 Media) managing complex campaigns. Interested in how we can train your team to use this tool properly, or just do it for you? Call us for a quote on social media consulting and execution!

Park Royal Village in West Vancouver was definitely the place to be yesterday evening, for the official launch of Pinkberry’s first Canadian location! October 17 Media did not miss this event, we were there!

Spotted: Cory Monteith from Glee!

Yes, the Glee star was there – rocking out on the drums! Bonnie Dune played six great songs and spent time greeting fans, taking photos, signing autographs and answering questions. There was love all around!

“Froyo” with amazing toppings

Pinkberry frozen yogurt tastes light, fresh and AMAZING! They have endless premium ingredients and topping; it’s pretty much irresistible. More importantly, Pinkberry is proud to make a product that is made with hormone-free milk, daily fresh hand-cut fruit and a one-of-a-kind yogurt masterpiece. There was still a huge line-up of people waiting for samples as we were leaving, and who could blame them?

Pinkberry even has groupies. It’s true! You can visit their Groupies web page and share your Pinkberry experience. You can also create a “Groupie” profile, participate in polls, keep up-to-date with events – all kinds of fun stuff!

Great job Pinkberry on creating great online interaction! I have converted into a Pinkberry Groupie! Were you at the big launch party? We want to hear about your experience! We will be uploading more pictures of the event on our October 17 Media Facebook Page very soon!

Do you want to create fun and creative strategies to engage with people through your website? We can help, it’s exactly what we do! Plus, if you’re getting ready to throw a big event, we have some social media tips for you! Give us a call or send us an email!