Do you have a Facebook page for your business? If so, then you probably know Facebook has changed things up and will switching over all pages to the Timeline layout (like your personal profile) on March 30. There have been hundreds of articles about what you need to do to prepare for the mandatory switch. A selection is included at the end of the article.
What I realized immediately is that now you need to be strategic about how you design the big, billboard-style image dominating your page so you capture your new fans' attention and immediately tell a story about what you do and encourages them to like your page and interact with you.
With this realization came another… if you're not a graphic designer, then you need one. I am most definitely not a designer. Louise Myers of Louise Myers Graphic Design came to my rescue and created a beautiful cover image from a photo I took of Los Angeles and keywords that reflect how I serve my community.
Find a Graphic Designer for Your Timeline Cover Image
I reached out to contacts on Facebook, in private groups, on Twitter and my LinkedIn Visibility group and asked designers to share their contact info if they create Timeline cover images. So many people responded that I've compiled the list from all sources into a spreadsheet you can use to find the perfect designer for you and your business.
The spreadsheet below is posted on Google Docs if you want to view the complete list (feel free to share with your colleagues who may need help too!).
If you are a designer and are not on the list, you're welcome to add your name, URL and email address in the comments below and we'll update the list every few days.
Recommended Reading for Understanding the Facebook Timeline for Business Pages
15 Creative Tips to Rock Your Timeline Cover Photo for Facebook Pages by Ching Ya
7 New Facebook Changes Impacting Businesses by Andrea Vahl on Social Media Examiner
How to Change Your Business Facebook Page’s Timeline App Display by Annie Sisk
28 Things You Need To Know About The New Facebook Pages by Kristi Hines on KISSmetrics
How To Make The Most Of The New Design On Facebook Timeline by SimplyZesty
5 Tricks that Every Marketer Needs to Know to Exploit the New Facebook Page Design by John Jantsch at DuctTapeMarketing
Got a question about how to maximize your new Facebook page? Post it here. If I don't know the answer, I'll find someone who can help you. And, if you have switched your page to the new Timeline format, feel free to post a link to your Page so we can see how you've dealt with the design challenge!
[Please share this post and help your friends and colleagues get the help they may need to create a FABULOUS timeline cover image. Thank you!]
Steve O'Sullivan
Hi Denise, what a great list of resources!
I’m not a graphic designer but I do like to play with Photoshop and I created a Facebook Timeline template for do it yourselfers. Anyone who wants it can download it for free at http://www.socialmarketingplanet.com/landing/new-facebook-timeline-template/
Thanks,
Steve O
Denise Wakeman
Thank you for sharing your template, Steve. Can never get enough of do it yourself tools!
Mobile Application Developer India
Thanks for giving this an opportunity. I would really love to be added to the list!!http://www.facebook.com/pages/ZealousWeb/230684940298848
Patsy Stewart
Thanks so much Denise for this comprehensive list!! We would love to be added to the list!! http://facebook.com/socialbuzzlab
Chandan Singh
Any comments on my FB page here? – https://www.facebook.com/PhoneArenaIndia
BounceSocialMedia
Thanks for the article and creating this data base! We are a Social Media Company with a design division specifically geared towards facebook design. Reach us here:
http://www.bouncesocialmedia.comhttps://www.facebook.com/BounceSocialMediainfo@bouncesocialmedia:disqus .com
Twitter: @bouncesocial:twitter
Thanks!
Alex (owner)
DeniseWakeman
The list of graphic designers has been updated again to reflect new submissions. If you’re looking for help with designing your Facebook timeline cover image, check out this list of talented folks.
Lisa
Thank you for supporting graphic designers! We love designing Timelines! Facebook does have restrictions (no call to action, no website reference, etc.)… so creating a visual message for your business is key! Check out ours:
http://www.facebook.com/ten20creative
http://www.ten20creative.com
www.http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisasoltes/
Thank you!
Lisa
DeniseWakeman
Thanks for adding your design biz contact info. We’ll be updating the spreadsheet soon.
Roy
Excellent read! We help with social media design as well… Here’s our page: http://Facebook.com/9thRoot
JoAnn Lefebvre
Thanks for giving your readers an opportunity to share! I’m not crazy about the new 2 column “wall”, but I am loving Timeline cover pic and tabs. I’ve been testing apps, since I can’t say no to any shiny new object in Social Media. What I’m finding is that I prefer a simple iframe app and building the tabs in WordPress when I can. There, I have no limits.
I would love to be added to your designer list!
http://shift2inbound.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Shift2inbound
@JoAnnLefebvre:twitter
Chris
Thank you for this resource! I started switching to the new timeline this weekend, was having a hard time with it. THANK YOU for giving me a starting point!
Cerise Reed
Hi Denise, great article, thank you for the very useful resources.
Aardvark Creative is a design agency in the UK that creates cover images and icons for Facebook, we would love to be added to your list.
Cerise Reed
Aardvark Creative
http://www.aardvark-creative.com
hello@aardvark-creative.com
Thank you!
Dennis Salvatier
Hello Denise,
This is a great idea. And I appreciate that you’re telling your readers to find a graphic designer. It ensures a professionally, branded appearance.
Dennis Salvatier
http://salvatierstudios.com
dsalvatier[at]gmail[dot]com
ernohannink
I am not a graphic designer but I have switched to the new Timeline design right here http://www.facebook.com/ErnoHanninkEN.
I think a cool cover image and the app buttons below.
DeniseWakeman
As of Noon PT, the list has been updated with all links provided in the comments up to this point. Thanks for all your contributions!
Sharon Fiberesima
Hi Denise,
Thanks so much for sharing this. It’s valuable information.
For those that are just starting out and can’t really afford a graphic designer, you can make use of a free image gallery like sxc.hu (make sure you use only those that do not require attribution though) and use a free photo editor like picknic.com (which will only be available till April.
However if you can afford a graphic designer, definitely go for it!
DeniseWakeman
Thanks for the tip and links to resources, Sharon.
Dubdubdubwebdesign
Hi Denise!!
I am a graphic designer with a web design business. I focus on branding and integrating your brand across all platforms: Website, Twitter page, YouTube page and Facebook pages.
I am working on my business page this week but you can look at my personal page for ideas.
The sky is the limit with this format!!
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1379745335
http://www.dubdubdubwebdesign.com
Very affordable rate…Thank You for the visibility Denise!
Christine Jenkins
Mary Ann Sircely
Hi Denise,
Thank you for such an extremely valuable resource and visibility opportunity as well!
I’m a seasoned graphic designer with marketing background and would love to be added to your list:
Site: http://www.sircely.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SircelyMarketing
Thanks again!
Mary Ann
Gruve Design
As a graphic designer who creates branded images for Facebook and other social media accounts, I’d love to be added to your list! I specialize in working with professional coaches, authors and publishers, but am always open to accepting design projects from anyone in need. I also do web design and love rockin’ out sites with WordPress! 😉
Mandy Palmer
Site: http://www.gruvedesign.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gruve-Design-Studio/135037153182398
Email: mpalmer@gruvedesign.com
Thanks!! =)
Kristina Kerns
I’d love to be added to the list. I’m a photographer as well as a graphic designer and specialize in social media and print graphics.
Kristina Kernswww.kristinakerns.cominfo@kristinakerns.com
Theresa Delgado
Love the cover photo Denise! Super job Louise! I converted to the new format too and you give me new inspiration.
Thank you – Theresa 🙂
DeniseWakeman
Thanks, Theresa! What’s the url for your page?
Tracey French
Hi Denise! I’d love to be added to the list! I’m an independent graphic designer that specializes in print and web design for small businesses (I’m actually running a special through the end of the month for Cover design with a coordinating profile image). My site is http://www.traceyfrenchdesigns.com and my FB page is http://www.facebook.com/traceyfrenchdesigns .
Oh and email: info@traceyfrenchdesigns.com 😉
Thanks!
Christie Halmick
Thanks for doing this Denise – I also do social media graphics.
Christie Halmick
http://jewelsbranch.com
christie@jewelsbranch.com
Dara
Hi, Denise. Thank you for putting this list together. 7 Lucky Dogs provides social media graphics for any business trying to connect with pet parents. Facebook graphics, YouTube Channel skins, and Twitter backgrounds. Check out our work on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/7luckydogscreative and our web site http://www.7LuckyDogs.com. Thanks again, Denise! -Dara
DeniseWakeman
Thanks for adding your design info, Dara!
Jennifer Taylor
Hi Denise!
I’m apologize for not getting you my name earlier! I provide branding and Internet marketing services and love coming up with timeline and other Facebook artwork, as well as skinning YouTube Channels and Twitter Backgrounds. www.taylormadeideas.ca Thanks for creating such a comprehensive list!
DeniseWakeman
Thanks for posting your website, Jennifer!
Lindel
Thanks so much , Denise. Great tip and something I hadn’t even thought of. I appreciate you!
DeniseWakeman
You’re welcome, Lindel. Glad to know it’s helpful.
Jacqueline Peters
Thank you Denise for sharing the information. Much appreciated. With the Facebook landscape changing almost weekly, I take comfort in knowing you have taken the time to compile a list of resources and making it available for us.
Annie Sisk
Very cool, D! Thanks for putting this together.
Amanda Taylor
Thanks! Also note: Facebook has made a lot of changes and rules. So make sure your graphic designer is aware of what the rules of Facebook timelines are. Thanks so much for posting this list and including me on it 🙂
DeniseWakeman
Thanks for that tip, Amanda!
Annie Sisk
Seriously – I’ve read a few pieces earlier this week and late last week that exhorted readers to put “calls to action” in the cover image. To their credit, every time someone pointed out the error, they fixed it promptly – most just hadn’t seen the guidelines, and I have to agree, FB didn’t do a fabulous job disseminating the rules initially.
DeniseWakeman
There’s also the possibility that people are trying to game the system and include a call to action and hope they don’t get caught. That’s my cynical side coming out!
Louise Myers
Terrific post Denise! There’s so much changing with Facebook Pages that it’s tough to keep up. Hooking up with the pros in their respective fields sure helps. Great links!
DeniseWakeman
Thank you, Louise! And thank you again for the great banner. It’s been featured in several blog posts about great Timeline images. You make me look fabulous!