5 Things You Must Do to Prepare For the New YouTube One Channel Layout 2013

The new YouTube One Channel layout has been available for a month or two now, but only on an opt in basis. Over 100 million users have already made the switch, but from June 5th, all channels will be automatically and permanently moved to the new design, whether they're ready for it or not! The last thing you want is for your channel and its branding to look out of sorts when the switch happens, so here are 5 Things You Must Do to Prepare For the YouTube One Channel Layout. These simple steps to get yourself ready ahead of time and take advantage of the benefits of the new layout as soon as possible.

1. Opt In Now

To be ready before the automatic switchover (and make use of the next four pointers), opt in to the YouTube One Channel layout now by visiting http://www.youtube.com/onechannel. Have a read through the overview provided if you wish, bid farewell to your old channel layout one last time, then hit the button at the bottom of the page to upgrade.

2. Upload A Channel Icon

Once you're upgraded, upload a square, high-resolution (800px x 800px) image for your channel icon; a pic that is also recognisable at smaller resolutions. This image will be your channel’s icon all over YouTube - in search results, comments, and on your Channel Art (explained next).

3. Upload Channel Art

The One Channel design ditches the background branding of old and opts instead for a simple cover image known as your Channel Art. Your YouTube channel's icon sits on top of it, and you can also add clickable icons to your website and social media profiles. To get started, hover over your channel art place holder and click the pencil icon that appears in the top-right corner. In the drop-down menu, click "Edit Channel Art" and "Edit Links" respectively.

The most effective YouTube Channel Art is an image that is optimised to display well on whichever resolution it is being viewed. To ensure yours looks great on screens from mobiles to HD televisions, use the guidelines in my template, which you can download here: Social Media Templates Page. 

4. Create A Channel Trailer

The new YouTube channel pages have two primary ways of displaying video content in the Home tab: through the Browse view or through the Activity Feed. The Activity Feed broadcasts your activity on YouTube to your subscribers, while the Browse view two different "sub-views": a view for subscribers, and a view for viewers who have not yet subscribed to your channel. For this reason, the Browse view is my preferred default, but it needs to be enabled first. Here's how:

1. Hover your cursor over the menu bar that contains the 'Video', 'About', and 'Discussion' tabs on your Channel Page.

2. Click on the pencil icon that appears to open the Channel Navigation menu.

3. From here, click the button to enable the Browse feed, and then click Save. Go back to your Channel page and you'll be able to add a trailer over a place holder.

For instructions about how to create a great channel trailer to entice in new subscribers, watch my tutorial video above. 

5. Add Sections

Sections are a way for you to organise your videos into groups on your channel page, and they can either be built manually or created dynamically from video tags, likes, etc. Use sections to highlight your best content, both to subscribed and non-subscribed viewers. To begin, scroll to the bottom of your channel page and click the "Add a section" button.

Conclusion

So there you have it, a handful of simple and effective ways you can help make your brand's transition to the YouTube One Channel layout as painless as possible, and hopefully increase your audience at the same time. What are your thoughts on the new YouTube layout? Let me know in the comments below!

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Facebook Page Review: Munchkin Photos

Munchkin Photos

As part of my Free Facebook Page Review promotion over at the 500 Social Media Marketing Tips Facebook Page, I selected Munchkin Photos, a photography studio by husband and wife team Andrew and Jo based in Warrington, England, as the third and final free review. Here's my analysis of his current Facebook Page - the things that are done well, along with tips and recommendations for how I think it could be improved.

Page Name and URL

Munchkin Photos has got his Page name and URL spot on. The name is nice and short so that it appears optimally both on web and mobile devices and its vanity URL (https://www.facebook.com/MunchkinPhotos) mirrors the page name too, making it easy and memorable when communicating it in person and on marketing material. 

Cover Photo

Munchkin Photos has used a collage of a wide selection of its customers for its Facebook cover photo. While I am generally a fan of this approach, I feel this example is a bit too crowded.

Cover photos are a prime space for brands to communicate who they are and what they do to viewers, and I think Munchkin Photos could do this more powerfully with a focus on just a collage of just a few photos in its cover image, or (my preference) just a single photo at a time. As well as a more lucid brand message, this would also allow them to tag the cover photos to feature different customers on a regular basis - encouraging likes and shares that will promote the business - as well as leaving space to feature details about promotions, offers, etc.

Profile Photo

Munchkin Photos' profile photo is currently used to highlight one of the business' latest offering - 3D photos. As this photo will represent the company around Facebook and beyond, my preference is for it to be a square image of a company's logo. A more effective way to promote the 3D photos would be using the cover photo, as described above. Whatever profile photo is used, I encourage my clients to add a description featuring a few lines about the company, a URL, and a call to action.

Here is a quick mock-up of how I feel the cover photo and profile photo for Munchkin Photos could be used more effectively - preferably without a little girl's neck being severed by the profile pic! If a single image is used, it could be tastefully annotated with the family name and/or price of the shoot as a nice, big advert.

About Section 

On the whole, Munchkin Photos has done a great job with its About section. It features a map with contact details, Mission, and a Description detailing information about the company and the products it offers. As well as a reminder to make sure the About section is filled out 100% (or as close to as possible), I have just one more suggestion here: I would be tempted to move the product information to its own section, just to make for slightly easier reading.  

Custom Tabs

At present, Munchkin Photos does not make use of any custom tabs or apps. Not only can custom tabs help enhance the branding of your Facebook Page, but can also be used to house more information about the company, what they do, and any offers they have running.

As Andrew is the only photographer, I think a custom tab to let customers get to know him would be a really great idea - a nice portrait pic and welcome message or even a short video to show off his personality, which is so important for a photographer, and to a customer who might be nervous or shy of what to expect, or being in front of camera.

Another tab could feature information about pricing and gift certificates. And, as families in particular may want to visit the studio for several photo shoots over the years, creating a tab with a sign-up form to an e-mail list could be really beneficial. With the e-mails Munchkin Photos gathers, they can send details of offers and promotions, and perhaps even a gentle reminder to families about visiting the studio for an updated group photo! 

Types of Posts and Frequency

Munchkin Photos posts status updates regularly, and they're short and snappy on the whole too, which is fantastic. However, there's one crucial detail missing... photos! Unless the status update is a video or a link, I always recommend adding a photo as they draw people's attention in news feeds and receive considerably more engagement. And working in such a happy and dynamic space, Munchkin Photos has a perfect opportunity to show off to current and potential customers what goes on. Examples might include photos of the studio being prepared for the day's events, shots of Andrew snapping happy families (with their permission, of course), the odd post of products such as frames and canvases, and Andrew's tools of the trade - especially for the 3D photo effect.

And of course, the Page's timeline and Photos section could feature regular albums of snaps of happy customers to show off the company's work to potential customers. A quick look at the Photos section shows that no new albums have been added since 2011! As a potential customer checking the studio out, that's like walking past a clothes store still advertising its Spring/Summer ranges from a few years ago... eek!

Basic Competitor Analysis

As you might imagine, there are plenty of photographers vying for attention in the same market as Munchkin Photos. These are just a few in the local area, and a very basic look at how their Facebook Page's operate. 

Digital Image Photography: Decent cover photo, but infrequent, boring, and "moany" updates.

Julie Marie Photography: Large fan base (over 4,000 likes) and overall, a well-run Page with semi-regular updates and lots of engagement with customers.  Good competition here!

Clarity Images: Nice cover, profile pic, and About section, but very infrequent posting schedule. Most photo posts that are there are without any written context, or solely promotional. 

Conclusion

All in all, I believe Munchkin Photos has the makings to foster a really effective Facebook presence in several ways, especially as it differentiates itself from the competition with a child-friendly focus:

• Posting customer snaps and encouraging them to tag, like, and share to spread the word. This can be done in person on marketing material and just before they leave the studio. People (especially parents, love  to share photos and show off to their friends on Facebook!)
• Tweaking the cover photo and profile image to show off the brand and its offerings in a more impacting manner.
• Building custom tabs to enhance branding of the Page and to tell people about the business and its offers.
• Continued regular posting schedule, but including images!

For more information about Munchkin Photos, visit http://www.munchkin-photos.com.

Want A Facebook Page Review? 

If you'd like me to help you with your Facebook Page, and want a customised review similar to the one above, check out the Facebook Page Review Service section of my website for full details and to purchase for a launch price of only $49

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Google+ (Plus) Cover Photo Template PSD May 2013 | Photoshop Google+ Template

The Google+ Cover Photo Default View Changes Again! 

In March this year, Google+ rolled out huge  new cover images for the social network. When a user landed on someone's profile or page, only around the bottom two-thirds of it was displayed. Now, following another update - and the introduction of a refreshed new feed, auto photo editing and other features, the Google+ cover photo has changed again - not in size, it seems, but another change to how it is displayed.

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As you can see in the image above, when someone lands on your Google+ page, pretty much all of your cover photo (except the bit hidden behind the default grey overlay containing your profile photo and page name) is hidden. 

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To see the cover photo at all, users have to scroll up. Many brands are already voicing their disappointment at this design change,  as it means the visual impact of their branding is all-but lost on a viewer's initial visit to their Google+ page. Whether Google will listen and make a u-turn on their decision is anyone's guess, but for now all we can do is adapt with them. 

The New Google+ Cover Photo Template

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So here is it, my new Google+ cover photo template for May 2013.  Since nearly all of the design is hidden by default, you now have an even bigger area to emphasise your branding in the hope that someone will scroll up to see it! The green area represents the grey overlay at the bottom of the cover photo - don't put anything important to your design in this area.

Download the Google+ Cover Photo Template  

This Google+ template (and several others for all the biggest social networks - expertly measured, simple to use, and up-to-date) is available instantly as a downloadable zip file via the purchase link above. For more information on all my social media templates, click here.

Note: Payment is fast and secure via PayPal, but you do not need a PayPal account to buy and download. 

Alternatively, buy a copy of my #1 Web Marketing Bestselling book, 500 Social Media Marketing Tips,  on Kindle or in paperback, and receive a link to download them all for free - you'll find it located in the Social Media Templates chapter.  

Your Thoughts

Do you like the new Google+ cover photo design? Let me know in the comments below! 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Andrew Macarthy is the author of the #1 Amazon Bestseller, 500 Social Media Marketing Tips.

Buy 500 Social Media Marketing Tips (Kindle or Paperback)
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007L50HE6
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LinkedIn Headline Tips and Examples 2013 | How to Write A Great Linkedin Headline

Your LinkedIn Professional Headline - that's the few sentences of bold text (120 characters maximum to be exact) that sits below your name on your LinkedIn profile - is one of the site's most overlooked sections, but actually pretty crucial to increasing how "findable" and enticing you are to potential connections. And if one of your main aims with LinkedIn is to leverage the site for professional gain, then a well-crafted Headline is imperative.

By default, LinkedIn populates your headline with your current job title and employer, and that's how great swathes of people leave it - bad move! Your Headline sits in a prime position on your profile, and can be used to share your expertise, promote your core marketing message, and exude your personality. In order to get recruiters or potential connections to stop and pay attention, use your Headline to tell them what you are, who you help, how you make their work/life better, and give proof that you are credible.

The way you craft your Headline depends on what your aims are, but here are five ways to do it well in a variety of situations:

Showcase your speciality
With hundreds of millions of LinkedIn users, recruiters browsing LinkedIn are adept at breezing through hundreds of search results at a time, and if your Headline reads just something like "Project Manager, Miami Marketing, Co.", with nothing else about what you do, chances are they are going to skip right past it. A better example might read:

"Personal Trainer who helps clients reach peak fitness. Former head trainer for Swansea City FC."

Speak directly to your audience
LinkedIn is a global stage for everything you have to offer a potential employer or connection, so speak to them directly in your Headline. For example, if you were an expert in helping grow startup businesses, you might write:

"Customer-focused pro who can take your new venture startup to the next level. Also run seminars, workshops, and training."

Be specific
If your LinkedIn Headline told a recruiter you were a psychologist in California, what would really help to make you stand it out if you were even more specific. Remember, there will be thousands of profiles with bland and generic Headlines, so give yours the best chance of standing out. An example along the psychologist lines might read:

"Education-specialized psychologist; 15 yrs helping kids overcome learning troubles and develop socio-emotional abilities."

Include relevant keywords, but don't cram
As well as crafting an appealing Headline, it is also important to consider keywords. Think about the kind of search terms the people you appeal to or want t connect with will be using to find you when recruiting via LinkedIn. Don't pile them into your Headline and damage its readability or flow, but do try to feature a couple of the keywords most important to who you are and what you can offer.  An example might read:

"Executive Recruiter who helps Fortune 500 companies find top tech talent. Clients include Microsoft and Apple."

Be creative, not generic
Writing a creative LinkedIn Headline can be a great way of boosting your personal brand and catching the attention of recruiters and connections, but for the love of all that is holy, avoid empty buzzwords and phrases like "outside-of-the-box thinker, " "problem-solver" or "strategic planner". These clichés mean nothing without context. At best they are cheesy, and at worst they will turn away many more people than they attract.

Supercharge your LinkedIn Profile!

Hopefully you've now got some real inspiration to go off and create an irresistible LinkedIn Headline. Get more strategy like this in my book, How to Create the Ultimate LinkedIn Profile in Under an Hour.  

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Andrew Macarthy is the author of the #1 Amazon Bestseller, 500 Social Media Marketing Tips.

Buy 500 Social Media Marketing Tips (Kindle or Paperback)
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007L50HE6
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007L50HE6

Follow Me:
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Facebook Cover Photo Ideas For Business and Marketing

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The relaxing of Facebook's cover photo rules a couple of months ago means that marketers now have a lot more freedom in the type of stuff they can add to the design of them - calls to action, contact details, asking people to like your Page, etc.... as long as the total amount of text does not make up more than 20% of the image.

The Facebook cover photo is a hugely powerful piece of prime real state for your Page, and people love  to get free stuff - so I have combined the two in my newest one, as you can see above, asking viewers to click to receive a free copy of my e-book, How to Measure Social Media ROI. 

Of course, clicking on a Facebook cover image only enlarges the photo and does not load a new web page, but the action does  make the photo's description visible, and it's here that I have added the actual newsletter sign-up URL.

I hope this has given you some inspiration for your own Facebook Page cover photo! 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andrew Macarthy is the author of the #1 Amazon Bestseller, 500 Social Media Marketing Tips.

Buy 500 Social Media Marketing Tips (Kindle or Paperback)
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007L50HE6
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007L50HE6

Follow Me:
http://www.facebook.com/500socialmediatips/
https://pinterest.com/500socialmedia/
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