Twitter has taken the business and marketing worlds by storm. Founded in 2006, the micro-blogging service has emerged as a professional tool to communicate, connect and network. Astute “Tweeters” leverage customizable features of the platform, such as Twitter applications and branded background images.
Why Create Custom Twitter Backgrounds?
Companies create unique Twitter backgrounds for the same reasons they would develop a unique website or brochure – to stand out among competitors and persuade a targeted audience to act.
Each element of a customer Twitter background should be designed to increase brand awareness while iterating a “call to action,” like driving visitors to a website or promotion. Not only are these elements integral to a social media marketing campaign, they are often viewed as a reflection of a company’s professionalism, creativity and capabilities.
Dimensions of Twitter Backgrounds
Twitter enables users to manipulate the colors and background images of profile pages under the “Settings” tab. There are a handful of templates users can select from, or they can upload an image in GIF, JPG or PNG format.
Custom Twitter backgrounds can vary slightly, but they typically hover at 1,600 x 1,280 pixels. Together, the centered timeline and Twitter sidebar are always 756 pixels wide. All visible elements must be incorporated outside of this block.
Twitter Background Components
The components of a Twitter background will differ according to the needs and goals of each company’s social media campaign, but the most common elements include:
- Brand Identity: Twitter backgrounds should incorporate the logo and company colors. It can also be effective to repeat graphical elements and recognizable images from a company website or digital communication.
- Contact Information: Website, phone number and email address are standard. Company profiles and those of company representatives should also include links to social media sites. Be sure to spell out the link addresses since the image can’t contain hyperlinks.
- Headshot: Twitter is a relationship-building tool. Incorporating a headshot can help establish personal connections with fellow users.
- Company Profile: A company's mission, services or products are not always apparent with Twitter usernames and brief bios. Use the background to provide additional facts about the organization. Bullet points work well. Be wary of overburdening the visitor with too much text.
- Call to Action: What are the goals of using the social platform? Backgrounds should include text or imagery that drives visitors to take a specific action.
- Special Deals: Background images can include a deal only mentioned on the Twitter platform. This can help marketers track the service’s effectiveness.
Customized Twitter backgrounds can boost a company’s social media marketing efforts. They should be designed with the same care and consideration dedicated to any other form of marketing collateral.
For more information about a professional use of Twitter, visit:
Andrea Aker - PR & Marketing Professional in Arizona Andrea Aker founded Aker Ink Public Relations in 2007, armed with an diverse background in PR ...
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