Timelines, Pages, and Cover Photos (Oh My!) Why the New Facebook Brand Timeline Isn't So Scary

Social media is an ever evolving entity and Facebook is notorious for never hesitating to make drastic changes to layout or functionality. In the classic movie, The Wizard of Oz, a tornado blew into Dorothy and Toto's quiet Kansas farm town and literally hurled them into the unfamiliar Land of Oz. Some Facebook users feel similarly displaced whenever Facebook introduces a new change or update. To them, it's as though they've been swept up in an unavoidable social media tornado. Facebook executives have every hope that their users will follow the yellow brick road and feel at home in their new layout 'Land of Oz.' The designers send out tutorials and previews, but unfortunately, while Facebook is hoping to come across like the Lollipop Guild, many users see only menacing flying monkeys.


How Facebook Perceives Timeline Transformation 


How Business Owners Perceive Timeline Transformation


Whatever your perception is, on March 30th all Facebook Pages will convert over to Timeline automatically. The Wizard has spoken and change is inevitable. The good news is that Facebook and many other social media savvy companies, such as Constant Contact and Mashable, try to make these times of transition easy on us - kind of like sweet little Toto showing Dorothy and her friends that The Man Behind the Curtain isn't so scary after all. 

So don't start clicking your ruby slippers and chanting, "There's no place like home," just yet. Many brands are already forging down the yellow brick road and setting up their new Timelines for one good reason: Facebook retains and engages customers, employees, and strategic partners by encouraging them to share their love for your brand with friends. Escoe Bliss recently entered the gates of the Emerald City and went live with our own Facebook Brand Timeline. Our initial thoughts are that the Timeline really does do a better job of expressing the look and feel of our culture. (We'd love to hear your feedback as well.) Transitioning from Facebook Page to Timeline was not very complicated (you might even call it fun) and we'd like to share some of the insights and links that we found helpful, so that you can get your brand ready for this new era in social media branding.

Mashable's Facebook Timeline for Brands: The Complete Guide is exactly what it sounds like. This article does a wonderful job of explaining the ins and outs of the new Timeline. You'll find video links, examples of other great brand Timelines that have already gone live, and more links to a variety of articles on the new Facebook layout.

Constant Contact is another favorite source of ours. Their blog, Facebook Timeline is Coming to Brand Pages...And We Love It!, takes a comprehensive look at the change, how it will affect your brand, and explains how to make the most of the new features.

One piece of the new Timeline that really gives the brand a chance to shine is the new cover photo. Browse the photo album 20 Striking Facebook Brand Page Cover Photos (courtesy of Constant Contact) to get your own creative juices flowing. 

Begin thinking about your brand's Facebook content in a new way. Your brand Timeline will tell your customers a story. Social Media Today outlines Eleven Ways Facebook Page Timelines Change Your Content Strategy. This article makes valuable points as to how a new content approach can really be in the best interest of your brand.

There are a few new things to learn, but remember that Dorothy, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man were also afraid of an unknown that they grew to love. Their chant of, "Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!" led them to meet their treasured friend the Cowardly Lion (who, in fact, was very brave). There are some new features to learn about the Facebook brand Timeline, but if you're willing to take a little time and learn your way around, you might discover that your Facebook Timeline is the new marketing companion your brand has been looking for. Facebook Timeline can bring your product or service down the yellow brick road to the Emerald City of success. 

Faces of Escoe Bliss: Adrienne Escoe, PhD

Who are we, and what makes us tick? Get to know our team and why each member is such a vital part of it.


We are pleased to introduce Dr. Adrienne Escoe.

Escoe Bliss Role/Title: President/Owner
Tenure with Escoe Bliss: Founded Escoe Bliss in 1994
Experience: Human resources, personnel training, documentation, quality assurance, plant services, and administration management at one of the world’s largest companies; senior editor at a national education research and development laboratory; and university teaching
Education: Doctoral degree from the University of Maryland, master’s degree at Loyola College in Baltimore, and bachelor’s degree cum lauda at the City College of New York


Q: You founded Escoe Bliss because you believe following your bliss means doing work you love and creating happiness around you. Which aspect of your life currently brings you the most bliss?
A: Watching and cuddling my pups


Q: What favorite dish do you like to make for guests in your home?
A: Homemade pesto on pasta


Q: How many pets do you have? Tell us about them.
A: Three. Elizabeth Joy (Lizzie) is my first doggie. Like the other two, she is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She is enthusiastic about everything, especially people. Lizzie is 9½ and sleeps more lately, but still runs fast and loves to play. Tinkerbelle is my second and is 8. She was born the runt of the litter (now is the biggest of my three) with health issues. She is somewhat shy, very obedient, and extremely close to people. However, she is a bit of a diva and rules the other two. The baby is Honey Bun and is 5½. She is the funniest pup. She shows up in unexpected places, like on the bottom shelf of the kitchen island or under the cover of the outside grill

Q: What is your favorite holiday? Why?
A: I love them all. Any chance to celebrate joy is my favorite holiday


Q: What activity exhilarates your spirit?
A: Oh, so many! Gardening, especially digging in the dirt and pruning. Cooking. Doing NY Times Sunday crossword puzzles with minimal cheating. Reading non-fiction about lots of different topics, such as the origins of the great department stores, palm trees, Italian cheeses, hatmaking, poison bottles, ancestry, and lots more. And traveling to places that have a rich history


Q: What super-power would you most like to have, and why?
A: The ability to fly. I am impatient by nature and would love to avoid traffic congestion, lines, and wait times at airports and other places, and being confined to other people’s schedules


Q: If you were given the opportunity to travel the world and didn’t have to worry about cost, which countries would you travel to first?
A: Italy, Moldova (where my father was born), and England (to visit the area where Beatrix Potter lived)


Q: You've suddenly been given access to a time-machine. Where and when would you travel to?
A: I’d like to travel to my first five years of life, including my birth (with the consciousness of an adult). I’d also like to peek at the earth in about 500 years to see how technology has developed and to find out if by then people have figured out how to be peaceful

Faces of Escoe Bliss

Who are we and what makes us tick? We'll take a brief look into a member of our team. Get to know who they are, how they got here, and why they are such a vital part of our team.

We are pleased to introduce Regina Gormanly.

Escoe Bliss Role/Title: Administrative Associate
Tenure with Escoe Bliss: Joined Escoe Bliss in January 2009
Experience: Several years in administrative and executive support roles.
Education: Bachelors degree with a major in psychology from Siena College, Loudonville, NY
Responsibilities: Coordinate and compose content for social media strategies, maintain contact database, provide support for the company president and vice president, and assist with organization of company events and campaigns.

Enjoy Regina's Q & A below:

Q: What is your favorite travel destination? Why?
A: Montauk, NY. Throughout my childhood we would travel there every summer. I haven’t been back in quite a few years, but to me Montauk will always define summer and a carefree attitude.

Q: What movie have you gone to the theaters to see most recently? Was it worth the trip?
A: The Way. Yes! It was an inspiring, fun movie about individuals learning about life and themselves along a pilgrimage called the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. Before the movie was over I was trying to figure out when there would be a good opportunity in my life to make this same pilgrimage. I love movies that do more than just entertain. I was inspired when I left the theater and in my book that is time well spent.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
A: Coffee Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz – Ben & Jerry’s

Q: What is your motto?
A: “I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no ‘brief candle’ to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to the future generations.” – George Bernard Shaw

Q: How many pets do you have? Tell us about them.
A: Two. Guinness and Bass are sisters and they are my six-year-old black and tan lab/shepherd mixes. At about ten-weeks-old they were abandoned during a cold November in Indianapolis, Indiana (where I once lived). Upon seeing their furry little bodies next to the street I pulled my car over, picked them up, and brought them home. I may have saved them that day, but they have saved me countless times since with their unconditional love and loyalty. They are my furry babies and hold a very special place in my heart.

Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: I eat, pray, love, and run. The loves of my life are enjoying good food, building my spirituality, keeping in touch with friends and family, and getting a nice dose of natural endorphins from an outdoor run on a beautiful day. I like to keep it simple.

Q: Hypothetically, you are a famous Hollywood actress who can be the spokesperson for any charity. Which charity would you choose and why?
A: Such a hard question! As an alumna of Team in Training, I would have to stay true to my roots with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Their organization has done so much to help individuals and families that battle cancer. They provide support, educational resources, and substantial funds towards research for treatments in hopes of bringing us closer to a cure. It’s an inspiring group to be a member of and it truly brings out the best in people.

Q: You've suddenly been given access to a time machine. Where and when would you travel to?
A: Assuming I could take multiple trips, I’d love to travel back in time and hang out with my parents and grandparents when they were young adults in their early twenties. It would be interesting to discover first hand who they were before they had families and children.

Connect with Regina on Linkedin and Facebook.

Welcome the newest member of the Escoe Bliss family

Escoe Bliss is known for its Talented People. Exceptional Service. on the inside and out. Today we would like to introduce you to one of our talented people on the inside, Julie Gritzmacher. Julie is a stellar addition to our team and is a perfect example of our branding in every way. Julie's responsibilities include, processing A/P and A/R, support on all administrative functions, and ensuring that office operations run efficiently and smoothly. We are proud to call her family and hope you will have an opportunity to speak with her or meet her soon. Enjoy her Q&A below.


Escoe Bliss Role/Title: Accounting Clerk/Office Assistant
Experience: 3 years experience as an Accountant and Office Manager
Education: Currently working towards my Business Degree in Accounting

Q: What book are you currently reading and why?
A: “American Gods” by Neil Gaiman because it is one of my favorite books and one of my favorite authors

Q: What is your motto?
A: It’s cliché but: Treat others as you would like to be treated

Q: If you could have dinner with one person dead or alive, who would you choose and why?
A: Douglas Adams because he was such a strange and creative person and I think he would make for very interesting dinner conversation

Q: Fill in the blank.
A: If life were like high school, I would be voted most likely to be found hiding with a good book somewhere.

Q: How many pets do you have? Tell us about them.
A: I have a dog named Jack, a 2 year old Terrier mix I rescued from the San Clemente shelter last year. He is very sweet and energetic and has a big personality!

Q: What is your greatest accomplishment?
A: I have been teaching myself to read music and play the piano for about a year now; I don’t know if it’s my greatest accomplishment, but it is the one I’m most proud of right now

Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: I love to read, watch movies, play with my dog and spend time with my friends

Q: What super-power would you most like to have, and why?
A: I would want Wonder Woman’s powers… because she is awesome!
Q: When are you the happiest?
A: When I’m spending time with my friends and family

Q: What are your favorite foods
A: Pasta, thai food, and french fries (my biggest weakness)

Feel free to welcome Julie with an email at jgritzmacher@escoebliss.com.