In a previous post and my YouTube video series (below), I demonstrated how to use PowerPoint to design a Twitter and YouTube channel background (the skin). You can use the same techniques to design a cover graphic for Facebook’s new Timeline (a Cover is the large graphic at the top of the Timeline. Everyone will be switched to this new Facebook layout on December 21, 2011).
In the video below, instructions are for PowerPoint 2007 and 2003. For the Facebook results, your finished image should be 850px wide by 315px high. In PowerPoint, I changed the slide size to 8.85 inches wide and 3.28 inches height, landscape view.
You should save your PowerPoint cover page image in high resolution if the one you upload is pixelated. I used high res images, and when I saved the image in PowerPoint, it was fine. If you use a single photo, you’ll definitely need a high res image.
When you get ready to upload your image to the Facebook Timeline, go to your Facebook Profile page, and click Add a Cover (later, you’ll change this image by hovering your mouse over to display the Add/Change Cover command). Either choose from your Facebook photos or click Upload Photo to find one on your computer.
(The video below is part one of the series. The videos are organized in a YouTube playlist so the next video automatically plays when the previous one finishes.)
Here is an excellent article by Mari Smith about the confusion over what type of image you can post to your Facebook cover page. Bottom line is that you can promote your stuff, but not do a paid commercial/ad for some other company.
PEACE.
