So you’ve joined Twitter and are merrily tweeting away but your avatar is still an egg and your background is a generic blue cloud. Or even worse, your company logo is so small it looks like it’s written in Sanskrit. Never fear. Simply follow these tips and you’ll have a slick profile in minutes.
It’s surprising how many businesses and high-profile entrepreneurs have shabby Twitter profiles. Empty avatars and dodgy graphics are the tip of the proverbial iceberg and leave a distinctly bad impression on peers and customers.
Perhaps it has something to do with the way many people access Twitter – either through their smartphone or a scheduling tool like HootSuite. These formats play down the visual element but there’s no hiding when someone checks out your profile on a desktop computer.
Here are three fast and easy ways to improve your Twitter profile:
1. Choose an appropriate avatar
An avatar is an image that represents you online. On Twitter it’s located next to your handle (ie. your account name) and looks like an egg until you change it. Chances are you uploaded an image when you set up your account. But did you choose the right one?
If it’s a personal account then you really should have a professional picture of yourself. Don’t be shy. Twitter isn’t a beauty contest – people just like to know who they’re dealing with. Also, try to use a recent picture. That glamorous headshot you took in 1997 will be a source of amusement when people meet you in the real world.
For business accounts, understand that any image you use will be shrunk. This often makes logos with words in them unreadable. Think about having an image designed specifically for the medium. It won’t cost very much and will pay for itself in the long run. Alternatively, play around until you find an image that works.
2. Pick a Twitter header
Your header is the rectangular box enclosing your avatar. It was a relatively recent addition to Twitter, so many users still have a black box. I’ll admit – I’m one of them! The generic black background still looks professional but if you’re running a business account, make use of this advertising opportunity.
Think about using a bigger logo or perhaps highlighting some of your products. Again, it helps to have a designer friend for making this extra special but you should already have something appropriate from your website.
3. Get rid of the cloud background
If your background is the Twitter cloud, you’re just not trying hard enough. There are other templates available but none of them are particularly professional and frequent Twitter users have already seen them a million times. Here’s where you get creative.
If it’s a personal account, why not express your personality? Upload an impressive holiday snap (think of a beautiful sandy beach or mountain range as opposed to you nursing a beer with your mates) or simply choose a plain colour scheme.
Business accounts are a different story. Find an image that represents your business – perhaps it’s just a certain combination of colours – or work with a graphic designer to make a background that incorporates your logo. Keep in mind that you have two options. A Hi-Res image that will sit underneath your page or a tile background where one image is repeated across the page.
Why not have a play around to see what looks better? To change your background simply click on settings and then design. Have fun!
