March 30th Is The Deadline To Convert Your Facebook Fan Page To Timeline

Facebook converts all business Fan Pages to its new Timeline version next week on March 30th. Now photos will play an even bigger role in marketing a business' brand on Facebook. Understanding the step by step process, as well as preparing photos ahead of time for the transition, makes the conversion easier.

Featured at the top of your Timeline is what Facebook calls your cover photo. It is best if your cover photo is already sized to the layout standard of 851 pixels wide by 315 pixels high before uploading. The minimum size from which a cover photo can be stretched to fit is 399 pixels wide. Anything less and Facebook will prompt you have to change.

The Fan Page portrait or profile picture is the next most important picture. It has to be a minimum of 180 pixels wide by 180 pixels high. You will be prompted to change anything smaller. The Fan profile picture fits into a cut out portion of the cover photo (see image provided).

Ely Yublosky, my daughter and Facebook contributor, put together the video included in this article. It shows the easy step by step process to complete the photo conversion. There are many photo manipulation programs and Facebook applications available if you do not possess “Photoshop” skills or have a graphic artist on staff.  You can also contact Ely for assistance or connect with her on LinkedIn.

Ely specializes in Web marketing strategies and optimizing Web site traffic through search engine optimization and use of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn. She is a contributing staff member to JEM Web Marketing Consulting and acts as Social Media Intern for the Buffalo Grove Area Chamber of Commerce. Yublosky recently converted the chamber's Facebook fan page to Timeline.