In February, Facebook introduce iframe tabs for Facebook Pages, a new model for building apps on pages. This new update was designed particularly for brands to increase their marketing campaigns through social media with more sophisticated content. At the BlogWorld & New Media Expo ^[1], Webtrends’ senior manager of social product managing Justin Kistner walked his audience through this new technology, demonstrating how to build these frames and use them to cultivate your brand.

Kistner began with a quick, live demonstration of how to make such a tab, following a similar process as Facebook’s developer blog ^[2] shared when the iframe was first introduced. The perk of these iframes: they’re simple to build. “Anyone with any competency with WordPress can start making their own apps,” Kistner said.

Kistner continued explaining how and why to limit content on your tab to those who like it, a.k.a. “like blocking.” This is used to get more fans, who will then need to be nurtured with further marketing efforts. He suggested common sense tactics such as Facebook ads, e-mails, website promotions, and even print ads.

The session next also featured best practices for your apps design and content. Kistner identified categories of wall posts that generated the most clicks, including touching, emotional stories and provocative, passionate debates and design styles that would draw more interest. (Hint: keep it simple.)

Rounding out the conversation, Kistner explained that Facebook apps will not replace other marketing efforts, but will help generate business from customers who use Facebook as their preferred marketing channel.