So tonight as I watched the new Facebook Profile being unmasked during 60 minutes, I realized I was both excited and nervous to take a peek for myself. I headed on over to check it out and quickly recognized the prompt guiding me through the update. If you haven’t seen that prompt, you can get the ball rolling here.
Once upgraded I experienced the happy delight of a new vantage point…exactly the same high I get when rearranging furniture. Yes, I enjoy the familiar comfort of my living spaces, but it’s always refreshing and energizing to update the design and functionality in my home. Same goes for Facebook Profiles…really! So here’s what I like so far…and what might take some getting used to:
What I like:
- The photo stream at the top highlighting photos you were tagged in. There is clearly more of an emphasis on photos. Images are eye-catching and this new design provides more staying power for recent posts w/ photos….more opportunity for engagement.
- Main navigation is now located in the left sidebar vs. top tabs (which no longer exist). Profile navigation actually seems more intuitive to me, and mimics more of the design and feel of the home page.
- Your photos and videos are now merged. Access your photos link from the left side navigation and view all photos and videos you have shared or have been tagged in. You can view photos and videos separately or as a mashed feed down the page. Perhaps this new design will motivate those of you waiting to get started with video…to just do it already!
- One of my most favorite new features of this new profile is how “friends” are now displayed and organized. You can easily filter friends from your profile as opposed to just in the newsfeed. But instead of filtering lists or groups of people you set, you filter via location, school, work, etc. This will definitely make engagement more fun and efficient from your own profile. Profile filtering will most likely become a new task on my Daily Engagement Plan.
- I like poking from my profile. Pokes are a better fit on the profile. This nonchalant form of engagement is kinda fun, it can be both an active and passive form of engagement to let others know you’re thinking of them….with a little nudge.
Might take some getting used to:
- I’m not a big fan of the new headline in replace of my own creative bio or description that formerly resided under my photo. This new headline pulls info from your profile information which can be customized to include your work, education, relationship, birthday, location, etc. Is this Facebook’s attempt to keep things “simple and easy”, showcase your “background” and put more emphasis on interactions over cleverly crafted identity statements?! You tell me?! But I really think I should have the option to create my own headline, bio, or statement.
- My Facebook Business Page gets the boot! Well, at least as a direct link from my sidebar. If you want your Facebook Page linkable from your main profile (i.e. the headline up top) then you have to add it to your work history. Which is still lacking a bit in functionality since some of us may have different company and community focused pages. Clearly this is still a work in progress for FB. Just be sure your Pages are listed in your contact info and work info for maximum visibility.
- Updating your Info links. These are the links associated with your work history, likes and interests, education, etc. Currently many of these links take you to Community Pages which usually just aggregate keyword content and posts referencing the topic (good for search & monitoring). However, if you want your friends to be able to click these links and land on your actual Business Page, then you will have to reset them. This feature wasn’t working for me right away last night. I tried entering Agent Evolution and Reggie tried RPR several times but apparently we were experiencing a glitch. So just be sure to enter the text for a particular page EXACTLY as it reads on and shouldn’t have any issue.
MyTechOpinion:
Before you poo-poo the new profile and start your own “Let’s All Revolt Over the Facebook Redesign – Episode 82″….rearrange some furniture, take in the vantage point and then ready yourself to explore what’s new, secure your settings, and get social!
About NikNik
Nik Nik, I like the new layout but I also was disappointed that the link to my Personal Facebook Fan Page disappeared.
When you update to the new layout it also changes your view of other people's profiles who haven't updated.
It's been very interesting to see how my friends profiles look under the upgrade.
For example at the time of doing the change only 3 of my friends had updated to the new look yet others appeared to be upgraded and some of the photos that appeared right at the top of their profile weren't too flattering (especially right now during the Christmas Party period).
I like the fact that Facebook allows you to 'Hide' the images by clicking the 'X' on the photo or video.
Thanks for sharing your experience thus far. I learned this morning (from @jasonbarone) that you can reset all the pages associated with your work history. Apparently you can delete the old community pages and select the actual business page. Which I plan to test myself when I get home from the gym. If this is the case it would make total sense and offer a better integration for work history. Go FB!
UPDATE to this post is in the works.
What The New Facebook Profiles & Staging Homes Have in Common http://tinyurl.com/24rwsnv
After switching over I have lost the notifications on my Blackberry, I had to reset to send notifications back through text or email….. solutions?
There is a link on the bottom left of the new profile that says Add a Badge…it should allow you to add a badge for your FB business pages. I tried it but it didn't seem to work..
Never mind….I see that is just to add a badge to your website. I added my business page under work history. It would be a great enhancement to have the ability to add other business pages or community pages under "projects"….
one real big issue is NOW you have to click to open the update box – seem like internet 101 less clicking is better – really cant believe somebody at FB missed this
I love your title. I wish you would have elaborated more on the similarites between the new Facebook profile and staging a home. From a Realtor's perspective, we stage a home to try and shift the focus on the positive aspects of a home and provide a fresh look to appeal to our targeted prospective buyers. Our Facebook profile could do the same for us as we try to brand ourselves to our sphere of influence. I have not had a chance to change my profile yet, but hopefully it will provide an opportunity for me to do so.
I also would've liked to see a bit more about the similarities between staging a home and Facebook, but I did enjoy the post (as I'm sure you did) and noticed a few things about the new profile that I think are nice (the emphasis on photos, left panel navigation, etc.).
If I had to draw a parallel between staging a house and Facebook, I would actually point to the consolidation of photos and videos. We could perhaps say that staging a house successfully means unifying different methods and approaches into a single, comprehensive effort to more effectively present the home in a way that you want it to be presented – i.e. as positively as possible.
I love the comparisons. There is a lot to be learned when it comes to both staging homes and the new Facebook. pretty sure Facebook is way more confusing.
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Many people always get irritated when FB is making a very huge design change in the member’s profile page. But i agree with what the Mytech Opinion says. Why not try to take advantage of the changes? If you are a real estate marketer, the profile banner is actually a useful area to post new home listings you have. Photos are great tools to attract attention and who knows, with those pics, you can increase your leads.
Nik Nik, I so agree with you! On my part, Facebook’s attempt to keep things “simple and easy”, can also be synonymous of how simple and easy home staging can do wonders for making the home attractive and impressive for the potential buyer. It’s the same principle that I followed when I worked on DIY home staging when I placed my own home on Fort Myers homes for sale listings. And my efforts worked just as I wanted!