Facebook is mid-stream in rolling out the Timeline for pages.  This provides a terrific opportunity to better brand your page. However, you do need to keep a few things in mind, given the Facebook T&Cs.

What to keep in  mind when creating/choosing your cover:

1. Your cover picture cannot be deceptive, misleading or infringe on copyright.

2. You may not encourage people to upload your cover to their personal timelines. (These are not wallpapers.)

 

The content of your cover has some specifics that are very important to read:

1. NO Calls to action — This includes “visit my website”, “like my facebook page” or “come see me at my next booksigning.”

2. No website or contact information in the image

3. NO purchase information.  — This means you can’t add “Purchase at Amazon.” or “Find me on Goodreads.”

SAFE BET: NO WORDS .

(Your name is probably okay, but that’s about it.)

 

These pictures are NOT for advertising.  What you CAN and should do with this pictures is set a tone. Use this terrific tool as a way to powerfully impact the visitor of your page with an emotion — not a sales pitch.

Are your books dark and mysterious? Find a dark and mysterious picture as your cover.

Are you light-hearted comedy? Find a light-hearted comedy shot.

And when making your selections, remember copyright infringement.  Don’t just google and grab – you don’t know where you’d be pulling from.   But it’s worth a few dollars to perhaps pay for a royalty-free image that helps you set a tone.  A few places you can look:

http://www.sxc.hu/ – Free images, but read each photographers terms first.

http://www.dreamstime.com/

http://www.123rf.com/

The ultimate goal of this photo should be to set the mood. Don’t try to be an infomercial.

 

Read the full guidelines here: https://www.facebook.com/page_guidelines.php

And remember, violations could result in losing your Facebook page. It’s just not worth it.