Here are some examples to illustrate the possibilities Facebook Timeline provides. Take a look, be inspired, and create an outstanding Timeline yourself!

1. Create a company page

In order to design a Timeline, you must create a fanpage. On your screen you see several icons. Each of these icons represents a category:

• Local business or place
• Company, organisation or institution
• Brand or product
• Artist, band of public figure
• Entertainment
• Cause or community

After choosing a category, you’ll be asked the sector in which your company operates.  You will also have to give your fanpage a name. Think carefully:  this name is permanent, it can’t be changed afterwards.  The final step is to attentively read the terms and conditions (as we all do, of course…). Congratulations: you now are the proud owner of a fanpage!

2. Don’t be afraid to stand out with your design

Since you now have a brand new company page,  it’s time to show your audience what your company stands for. Ask yourself the question: what message do I want to convey? The next step is to translate this message into an attractive design. Not that creative? Here are some inspirational examples:

#1. Merge your profile picture with your Timeline cover

Combining the cover- and profile picture gives your Timeline a special touch. Take for example Fanta’s timeline. Aren’t you convinced yet? This blog clearly explains how to create designs like the one below.

#2. Persuade the prospects by fulfilling their desires

Using visual content is a highly effective way to persuade your visitors, especially when you’re a B2C company.  Make sure the cover of your Timeline represents the message your brand wants to convey. Who wouldn’t want to take a ride in this Ferrari?

#3. Create a brand identity

Each company stands for something. Perhaps you provide great  quality, or maybe your brand has emotional value to the customers.  All this contributes to your brand identity. To engage, a customer must be able to identify him/herself with the brand. Moreover, your brand must express some sort of energy. Redbull is a great example: can you feel the energy?

#4. Make use of illustrations the prospect can’t resist

I remember when I was a young girl, I wasn’t able to resist the big Nutella yar in the upper cupboard of the kitchen. Can you blame me? I mean, take a look at the illustration below: doesn’t this chocolate delight look delicious?

#5. Render the ‘we-spirit’

A lot of companies push our social buttons. Somehow, emphasizing the ‘we-spirit’ makes a company look trustworthy. The New York Times knows this. Talking about ‘a happy family’…

#6. Use eye-catching colors and contrasts

The colors we choose for our marketing materials affect the impact they make on our target market. Colors could create a physical reaction (for example: blue is known for its calming effect). Colors could also have a cultural meaning. Black, for example, is known as the color of death. Now, you wouldn’t want your brand to be associated with dead, would you? Think carefully about the colors you choose, because they have a huge impact… By using the right colors and the right level of contrast, you could create a special effect. Madonna’s timeline is a successful example.

#7. Accentuate the unique design of your newest creation

Especially in the technology sector, focussing on one specific creation is quite common. Samsung’s whole page for instance is devoted to its newest design. Quite a smart move to introduce your newest product on the market! 

3. Sharing is caring, content is king

Not only is Facebook Timeline a great way to create outstanding designs, it could also be a very useful medium to tell stories:

#1. Share life events with your followers

Adding life events to your timeline facilitates the storytelling process by providing a clear picture of your company’s history.

#2. Set up a share-and-win contest

Sharing pictures is a great way to promote your products. You could set up a share-and-win contest: share this illustration and maybe you’ll soon be the owner of our newest product! Customers sharing and promoting your products, how great is that?

#3. Feature important moments by starring it

Make sure all of your followers are aware of your success, by addressing the most important moments as ‘star posts.’ A starred post is expanded to display the full width of the profile (843 by 403 pixels). Those posts won’t be overlooked!

#4. Pin important content

So much content to share, so little time. Take for example blog articles, e-books, newsletters, video’s, infographics and so on. To reach a public as big as possible, you could choose to ‘pin’ a post. These messages remain  on top of your timeline for seven days! Especially when announcing a big event, pinning is a great tool to draw attention.

Here are some more tips to create inspirational content.

There are a lot of ways to optimize your Timeline. Do you have additional tips? Don’t hesitate to share!