Facebook’s new page layout provides a new opportunity for creative marketers to further engage users, as described in the article “5 Ways to Transform Facebook Page Apps into Free Advertisements” from Entrepreneur.com.

Contributor Thomas Meloche explains how to effectively turn Facebook apps, featured prominently on the top of Facebook cover pages, into attention-grabbing ads that will draw visitors to promotions deeper in the page.

1. Make the page apps images attention grabbing. If you’re going to think of the apps as ads, you have to treat them like ads. “The language must be attention grabbing. The visuals in the images should pop,” Meloche writes.

2. Use your cover page to draw attention to the ads. Use the image at the top of your page to lead the eye to the app buttons. Try a straightforward approach, with arrows pointing to the buttons, or a subtler, more creative approach.

3. Tell them an interesting story. “Make the ad the headline of an interesting story,” Meloche writes. The ad can draw people in, but you’ve got to keep them turning the page with interesting content or valuable promotions.

4. Ask them to take action (click now). Don’t be afraid to directly ask users to “Click Here,” “Like,” “Share,” “Comment,” “Connect,” or whatever action you would like them to take.

5. Collect information. Always extend an offer that allows you to capture the visitor’s contact information. This allows you to connect further with potential customers and reach them via different advertising media.

Click here to see an example Facebook page.

Click here to read the entire article from Entrepreneur.com.