Monday, March 5, 2012

Facebook Gives Companies a New Way of Advertising

Last week, Facebook launched Timeline for Brands, which allows companies to make facebook pages with the same look and feel as regular users.

Every brand's Facebook page will automatically switch to Timeline by the end of the month. However, most brands are making the switch themselves, as they see this as becoming a successful new tool to reach consumers.

"It allows us to tell our brand history in a highly visual and organized timeline. Whether you're a fan since the brand's launch or a new fan who wants to learn about Lexus - you can see what we've been doing," said Kat Kirsch of Lexus. "We can showcase all major vehicle launches, redesigns and concept cars."

Timeline for individual profiles was designed so that users could easily tell their stories and create their identities online, and this concept carries over to Timeline for Brands.

The Timeline layout allows companies to expand or hide specific posts as well as respond directly to private messages. The layout is also more engaging and social for individual users, allowing them to see how many friends "like" the brand, as well as friends' public mentions of related topics.

The Facebook IPO filing put pressure on the social media website to find new ways to grab the attention of investors. Because websites like this tend to have a short life (look at MySpace, for example), the creators must constantly make updates to keep it relevant for users, advertisers, and investors. So far, Facebook has been successful in differentiating itself, and Timeline for Brands was just the next step. 

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