by Fredrickus Williford of Doctor Twitter. Follow him @BlackMediaProp
Many people think custom twitter backgrounds or themes with anything other than their business network profile and personal site links are not for the tech/business folks or only for the teenie-bopper Myspace crowd. I say it couldn’t be further from the truth. Here’s 6 reasons why all Twitip readers should dispose of those generic Twitter backgrounds today! Why? Because you could start gaining more followers by connecting with your target audience and relating to your peers.
1.Identifying mutual interest in tastes and preferences. For example you may be one of the many Twitter Fail Whale fans or are interested in the TV show “Lost”. Guess what, there’s a background for that. Why wouldn’t you follow somebody with similar likes and interest? Isn’t that how we make friends in the real world? Twitter is no different.
2 .Automatic recognition. Your profile becomes a standout in a crowd full of clones. If nothing about you is unique (for example you’re not famous like 99% of the top followed Twitter users) then a standout background is just another edge over your competition.
3. Setting yourself apart. Reason 3 confirms the point that I spoke on above. The key to gaining followers on Twitter is setting yourself apart from everyone else. Don’t think Darren has that huge picture of his face on his Twitter profile because he is thinking about a second career in modeling. It stands out! Duh.
4. Credibility. A custom Twitter background brings more credibility to your Twitter profile. Considering the fact that there are many fake pages on twitter or marketers who join with the intention of spamming users and as you will see most of those pages still have the default theme and very little visual appeal. Making sure you have an attractive avatar is a plus.
5. You’re Boring This might ruffle somebody’s feathers, but maybe some of you guys are just not interesting or haven’t posted anything worth following on Twitter, but maybe you’ve designed a creative background that catches the attention or gets your sense of humor across without a Tweet or word spoken.
6. (Bonus) It’s Easy. Last but definitely not least. If you’re using Doctor Twitter its free, and with one-click applies the twitter background of your dreams. Free and easily accessible is always a definite perk!
Here are a few themes that might get your personality across and they can all be applied in one click:
Show your sense of humor with a April Fools Theme:
Who did you vote for on election day? Maybe a fellow Twitterer also has that in common:
You need your weekly Family Guy fix:
You’re not the only Toronto Maple Leafs fan I bet:
There are Hello Kitty fans of all ages:
So what is your reason for the stale Twitter background? (Lack of photoshop skills, lazy, no time?)
@John1954Moi
Mines’s a Jackson Pollock, don’t know what that says about me!
@unoblogger
nice post… I am convinced to change my twitter background… and I am doin it over the weekend.
@ezyblogger
Hi Fredrickus,
You are right there that for those tweeters who want that extra recognition, they should use a custom twitter background.
It’ll will be a great brand promotion actually though I’m still using the generic background LOL..
@socialdave
Having a personalized Twitter pic and background are both important to set yourself apart and making a unique impression on your readers/followers/visitors. Otherwise you’re just the blend soup of the day!
I’d add #7. Personality
@pcNielsen
A little TOO MUCH personality coming through in some of those backgrounds IMHO. Makes it difficult to concentrate on the actual content of the page, the tweets. I will agree that some customization is worthwhile, especially if it harkens back to the colors and design of your blog or website. However, I don’t actually visit people’s Twitter pages anymore anyway; I get all of the updates in TweetDeck.
@NateDesmond
This is great! I have to go change my background…
@AitchisonDesign
That was the first thing I did when I set up my account. Of course, I’m a graphic designer, so it would have been pretty shameful to leave a generic/pre-fab background up there.
Completely in love with new background and agree with tips!
@sunspots_tom
Good points! It’s one of the first things I did with my background. I wanted to make sure our company logo and icons got more exposure. I think the better versions are the styles that show a nicely designed left hand column. Thanks for posting up the story!
Tom
Thomas Rohe
SunSpots Productions Voice Talent & Creative Audio Production
Asheville, NC
Orlando, FL
Follow SunSpots Staff on Twitter
@wchingya
I for one, is a social media/blogging junkie; and just last week I got rid of my generic background using Free Twitter Designer, enjoying the simple adding/edits I could apply on the background manually. To be able to personalize one’s twitter background, it may work as a brief Twitter landing page. First impression is important, no doubt about that.
Doctor Twitter is new to me, you do have some catchy themes, not bad. Thanks for sharing.
@wchingya
Social Media/Blogging
@MadlabPost
I wouldn’t really say that my Twitter background is stale because I used one of the basic designs offered by Twitter. However, I would like to have a customized background and have put that task off because there are more important things taking up my time right now. I also don’t use twitter every-hour-on-the-hour like many other people do so I am satisfied with my background at the moment. This is still a helpful post to get me thinking about the type of background that I want to have if and when it is changed to a customized one.
@writerdad
I totally agree. I LOVE my Twitter background. It makes me happy every time I see it, which is another reason to make the jump. We spend a lot of time on Twitter these days, may as well decorate the pad.
@blackmediaprop
@writerdad nice clean background
@nicole/madlabpost what do you primarily use twitter for? if its for personal use and you have no intentions on building your follower count then i could see where your going, but if you have any type of internet presence that you would like to increase then standing out and keeping your followers interested should be just important as any other business task..because at the end most are in it to make more money.
@MariahSinclaire
Before seeing this, I saw the best twitter background, (IMHO). It was on-brand and informative and it inspired me to create a similar background. Check out: http://twitter.com/JimBreuer
@fthflfollower
Thanks for the recommendation. I just updated my background, come check it out and tell me what you think!
@peekr
Creative custom Twitter backgrounds are great… I just love ‘em
You can view full Twitter backgrounds using the peekr twidget (it’s a bookmarklet a.k.a. favelet) with just a click. It’s made from 110% all natural ingredients, completely safe, easy to use — and it free!
Follow me, Lil’ Peekr on twitter @peekr for updates, questions or comments — or grab the peekr twidget now!
@ariherzog
Color me the minority, but one’s twitter.com background image has zero bearing whether I will contact or otherwise follow that person. It’s a tattoo, no different than a Facebook widget.
@phillipgibb
consistent branding
how can the generic background give u brand credibility.
great post
@acurrie
You had me right up until the words “Toronto Maple Leafs”
@ironked
First time I saw a custom background I looked into how and found it is really easy. Makes both my identities more enjoyable to use (though I usually post through Twhirl/Seesmic clients) and I think more interesting for followers. It really is no more than designating a picture. No reason not to do it. Easy to change at any time to keep things interesting. I need a new image for the commercial identity.
@blackmediaprop
@ac I’m not a big fan either..lol
@stephanie looking good…;)
@maria_keckler
Great article and bonus. Still new to twitter, but all the detailed “how tos” and additional resouces are great for newbies.
@jayphilips
People should also put their bio instead of leaving it blank. Also, provide a link to either your personal site or profile page on another site of interest.
@brianboyd
Yay! That is why I started this little home business to create custom Twitter backgrounds for $29. Totally custom no templates. We just finished @nancyodell and @todaysmoms (Access Hollywood & Today Show!)
@hectorhenry17
I guet the point its better to have a personal background. But it will be hard for doze user that juts know to write: what are you ding? that know manege technical informaticon or technical configuration. but its dozen mean that its imposible.
@BrendanWenzel
Good article about why people should change their backgrounds. I started designing backgrounds when I noticed that their were just so many tweeple with the default designs still. A background also provides the opportunity to inject some personality into their twitter profile. If anyone wants a new custom background, send me an @reply on twitter.
@thetrudz
Agreed. When I go to a page and see a custom background, a twitter avatar and a bio, I am more likely to follow that person. I like having a custom Twitter page myself.